Double R
44 posts
Apr 26, 2007
9:18 AM
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Hey guys I was wondering what might be causing broken tail feathers? I am feeding austrian peas, wheat, and milo to my kit birds and am noticing some with broke tail feathers.
What can I try that might solve this problem?? Any input will be greatly appreciated.
YITS...Robby
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nicksiders
1619 posts
Apr 26, 2007
10:08 AM
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Is it more than one bird? Do you have any bumping upon release? Are you having any bump during landing?
What are you feeding?
Nick
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Snicker Rollers
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squeeker
25 posts
Apr 26, 2007
12:16 PM
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Hey Double,
I have the same problem with a hen in my kit. I feed 15% pigeon mix with 50% wheat added. At least half her tail feathers were busted off about halfway back. I pulled 4 or 5 and they are growing back nicely. She's @6 months old and hasn't bumped. She is the only bird doing this and rolls a fast 10 ft. I have a guess that she is hanging on the wire and her tail feathers are snagging as they push through the mesh. Janene
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bob
48 posts
Apr 26, 2007
1:47 PM
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Hi Robby do you have mice in your loft? They can make a mess of feathers in poultry & pigeons.
Bob in Ont.
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Electric-man
256 posts
Apr 26, 2007
2:53 PM
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I was at a guy's loft a couple of years ago. He had birds that had a lot of tail feathers broke off, he said the mice were eating them off at night. You can pull the stubs out and they will grow back pretty quick. Otherwise they will not replenish until the molt in late summer!
I've seen over crouding in wire cages break them off chickens pretty bad also. Just a couple of thoughts!
Val
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RO
53 posts
Apr 26, 2007
3:03 PM
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Hey Nick I have a couple doing exactly what you described.And I feed them a wheat based diet.Whats the problem??
Ro
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
1343 posts
Apr 26, 2007
3:36 PM
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The problem in most cases like that is the bird(s) aren't getting enough oil seeds to supplement their own particular needs to sustain good feather. Couple that with some birds which have hard, more rigid feather quality and you will see the ends of the tail feathers getting broken off over a period of time of using box type perches.
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C.J.
1111 posts
Apr 26, 2007
3:38 PM
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Hey Bob are you in Ontario Canada? If so where?
Thx
C.J.
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bob
49 posts
Apr 26, 2007
4:15 PM
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Hi CJ i am up in Bruce Cty. near Walkerton i am sure no one has ever heard of that place LOL where are you located ?
Bob in Ont.
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RO
54 posts
Apr 26, 2007
4:28 PM
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Thanks Brian ,Would an extra dose of safflower help?
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Double R
45 posts
Apr 26, 2007
4:37 PM
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Thanks everyone for the input. I'm working on getting some kitboxes built, for now I have been using a wire cage for a kitbox. The cage is outside and mice are not a problem so far. They haven't been bumping so the cage may be the problem. I've already pulled out all the broke feathers, next I'll add some safflower and millet to their feed.
Brian would safflower or millet be a better oil seed, or a combination of both?
Thanks again.
YITS...Robby
Last Edited by on Apr 26, 2007 4:40 PM
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
1344 posts
Apr 26, 2007
5:26 PM
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Well keeping them in a wire cage will definitely do that to. Yes, for some birds they require a little extra oil seed, mainly those hard feathered birds where the feathers turn brittle after a long term diet void of oil seeds. Safflower or rape seed are good choices.
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fhtfire
922 posts
Apr 26, 2007
5:38 PM
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It may be from the birds hanging on the cage...I know that my Team birds have some broken tail feathers and I notice that when they are hanging on the cage...begging for grub..there tail feathers push throught the wire and get all caught up...I would imagine that when they do that 10 times a day while I am in the loft...it must mess up the feathers...just a thought
rock and ROLL
Paul
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jvrollers
9 posts
Apr 26, 2007
7:40 PM
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most of the time it's because of a mice problem. i recommend pulling the broken ones out and feed safflower so that the feather grows nice and shiny.
Johnny Vang
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C.J.
1112 posts
Apr 26, 2007
7:58 PM
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Hey Bob I know exactly where you are. I am located in Keene Ontario near Peterborough. Nice to see another Canadian on here, we're growin.
C.J.
Last Edited by on Apr 26, 2007 7:59 PM
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nicksiders
1623 posts
Apr 26, 2007
8:41 PM
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RO,
Broken tail feathers can be diet(lack of vitamins, minerals, and fat or oils). If they are also bumping that is a stability issue, but diet can also influence it somewhat.
In preping my kit birds I do scheduled feed changes to avoid health problems. I will put them on straight wheat for five days; follow with 5 days wheat/milo (50/50) mixture for five days closely rationed. Followed by one day of mix (equal amounts by weight of safflower, peas, wheat, milo) plus in this mix I add a suppliment from Healthy Pigeon and olive oil. Then I start my cycle over again with a modification the day before fly day. The water is also spiked with vitamins.
Keep in mind this is what works for me because I simply believe it does and I get the results I am looking for. There will be a difference of opinion because other breeders have other things that work for them because they believe it works and they get the results they are looking for.........LOL.
I hope you get my meaning here.
The thing is if something is happening that is not good; you got to make a change in what you are doing to correct it.
Geesh, this sounds like I know what I am doing....believe me I don't. I am making constant little modifications all of the time....tweeking this and that and plotting the results. And, there are days the birds, all of them, perform like crap no matter what I have done.
Nick
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Snicker Rollers
Last Edited by on Apr 26, 2007 8:43 PM
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RO
55 posts
Apr 26, 2007
9:31 PM
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Thanks for the response Nick,I have a pretty good vitamin regimin going.I think I just been too light on the safflower or the oily seed in general.
Ro
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
1345 posts
Apr 26, 2007
9:58 PM
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Johnny, if a person has mice chewing on the tails of their pigeons, have A LOT more to be concerned about than broken tail feathers...lol.
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jvrollers
10 posts
Apr 26, 2007
10:09 PM
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got that right...lol missing eggs and a whole lot of germs too
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