jim
22 posts
Nov 05, 2007
9:08 AM
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Hi
I made myself the ruler to measure the keels. So what should it be, a long or short keel?
I quickly measured a few of my stock birds and I can already see that the birds with a shorter keel roll longer than those with longer keels. Is this just pertaining to my loft or is this the norm. Does the keel lenght also effect the quality of the roller?
Jim
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J_Star
1244 posts
Nov 05, 2007
5:59 PM
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Jim, I don't make it a habit measuring Keels of my birds and don't cull youngsters because the keel don't feel as I expect it. I fly the bird, if it shows promise, it will stay. If doesn’t, it will be history. The same is true for the wings, I don't measure them either. The air is the best judge.
Jay Alnimer
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nicksiders
2421 posts
Nov 05, 2007
10:58 PM
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I am like Jay, I don't make any judgements on my kit birds until they kit the sky. I ain't going to throw away a bird who performs satisfactory regardless what it keel length is or anything else. The proff is in the performance. My ugliest bird as far as being un-roller like is one of my better citizens in the kitbox. I probably won't breed her, but she is a keeper.
Nick
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SNICKER Rollers
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W@yne
731 posts
Nov 05, 2007
11:23 PM
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Ive seen big rollers roll as good as small rollers so keel will be different amongst these birds. Unless you want to show the birds something i ain't interested in i don't think keel length matters a hoot
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Regards
W@yne UK
Patience Perseverance Perfection
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fhtfire
1168 posts
Nov 05, 2007
11:52 PM
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If the bird rolls Hard and Fast with excellent quality and Depth....that is the proper Keel length....I don't pay to much attention to that.
rock and ROLL
Paul
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quickspin
42 posts
Nov 06, 2007
12:22 AM
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Today I measure the keel on my birds and some that perform almost the same in the air had different sizes. I really don't think it matters. I only look on the air what they do, that is what matters the most.
I don't like long cast birds I like my birds small and apple body. I have long cast birds which perform the same and some even better than my smaller birds. I still breed this long cast birds because they can spinn.
The best thing is too see them in the air and prove them out no matter what.
If you breed for small keel you will get small keel. That's all
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Fire Brewed Rollers
14 posts
Nov 06, 2007
1:53 AM
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Hi Jim
Glad to know you make a ruler to measure the keel length. Breed best to best with the shorter keels together and look for faster spinning birds with the shorter keel. You have to try it to see if it works because longer or bigger birds spin well and you will get a lot of different opions. Breeding body type is just as important as best to best. Look for hens with around 2 1/4" keels and cocks around 2 3/8" to 2 1/2" keels.
There is always the exception to any rule with Birmingham Rollers and the family of birds you have. My smaller keeled birds can spin faster and that is what your looking for.
I don't cull any birds because of keel length, if they spin good they have a use.
Robert Miller
Fire Brewed Rollers
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2007 1:54 AM
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gotspin7
369 posts
Nov 06, 2007
4:47 AM
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Right on Jay, FLY THEM OUT! There is no easier way to find out what you really have in your backyard!
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