Looking a the pigeons Breast

Now here is a question for you all to ponder whilst you are waiting for your birds to come back.

Exactly what do fanciers look for when they part the 'Cover Feathers' on the breast of their pigeons?

I know that people think, that the breast flesh can show the condition of the bird, but what are they hoping to see when the bird is 'fit'!

I have recently read a couple of articles that say you shouldn't part the very important cover feathers. Yet a lot of racing people do it a lot - I have done it in the past. But I have never known why or what I am supposed to be looking for.

Can someone clear this mystery up for me please.

I also hear about this so called 'The Form Spot' - is that like the Eye Sign - A load of nonsense?

What is a Form Spot?
Where is it?
What does it look like?
Why is it there?
How long does it stay?

Etc etc!

Thank in anticipation.

Phil from blueskylofts

We like to see a nice red/pink chest and with a shine on it the form spot is normally on the keel bone it's a red spot not sure how long it lasts for.

hi phil, yes ive heard of this before, I think its small spots along the keel, like blood blisters is the nearest I can describe.....but ive never looked nor paid any attention to it.

I may be wrong , but this is what I take it to be.......

VanReet Man123 wrote:

We like to see a nice red/pink chest and  with a shine on it the form spot is normally on the keel bone it's a red spot not sure how long it lasts for.

Thanks VR man and David:-

Yes - BUT what is it and what causes it? I really want to Meta-physically what it is and why does it appear only when the birds is very fit or 'on-form'?

Keep the answers coming in please.

Phil

David wrote:

hi phil, yes ive heard of this before, I think its small spots along the keel, like blood blisters is the nearest I can describe.....but ive never looked nor paid any attention to it.

I may be wrong , but this is what I take it to be.......

I've seen it "Often" has it any value (Maybe, Maybe not) would depend from my perspective if the bird was any good etc & in racing condition  with all the other signs avaliable on race day. One could ask if this condition on certain birds wins over birds that may have purple type breasts on the whole & I would put foreward "Maybe, maybe not". Now would I place it up there with eye sign. NO NO NO that's in a class of it's own from where I sit . Now, parting of the breast feathers is some thing many do I suspect through the curiosity factor, but is it good for the birds, I would again say NO NO NO .

blueskylofts wrote:

VanReet Man123 wrote:

We like to see a nice red/pink chest and  with a shine on it the form spot is normally on the keel bone it's a red spot not sure how long it lasts for.

Thanks VR man and David:-

Yes - BUT what is it and what causes it?  I really want to Meta-physically what it is and why does it appear only when the birds is very fit or 'on-form'?

Keep the answers coming in please.

Phil

Phil . May I suggest you look up the Jack Barkel site here, he delves into this topic in his own way etc there & is well worth a look from my perspective. Not that I believed everything that he waffled on about but worth the effort to look, seeing as it has caught your interest etc.

some of my birds have a spot their all the time others I never see it thinks its just another bull theory myself

I am not entering this conversation on breasts sorry

peel bros wrote:

I am not entering this conversation on breasts sorry

I was thinking the same ray, just keep calm, take deep breaths, until the topic fades away

It's my favourite subject funny enough. I could talk all day on this topic but I. Ll not bore you lol

Knackered wrote:

blueskylofts wrote:

VanReet Man123 wrote:

We like to see a nice red/pink chest and  with a shine on it the form spot is normally on the keel bone it's a red spot not sure how long it lasts for.

Thanks VR man and David:-

Yes - BUT what is it and what causes it?  I really want to Meta-physically what it is and why does it appear only when the birds is very fit or 'on-form'?

Keep the answers coming in please.

Phil

Phil . May I suggest you look up the Jack Barkel site here, he delves into this topic in his own way etc there & is well worth a look from my perspective. Not that I believed everything that he waffled on about but worth the effort to look, seeing as it has caught your interest etc.

Thank you EVERYONE -for your contribution. I guess we should leave it here.

How ever, I will look at the Jack Barkel site if I can find it. It may make an interesting read anyway.

Good luck everyone this afternoon.
Phil

peel bros wrote:

I am not entering this conversation on breasts sorry

me neither ray i used to be an inspector

shippy wrote:

peel bros wrote:

I am not entering this conversation on breasts sorry

me neither ray i used to be an inspector

Age caught up with you did it Shippy when doing the inspecting trick     did you take photo's for proof of identity etc if so our Ray may be interested, I suspect. Now back to the subject here. Our man Mr Burnside here & his pigeon, does any one really believe this subject under discussion was his number one criteria when setting his good pigeon up to a race to gain it's results as such. May have played a part etc but more things were of importance to him I would suspect. Another thing to maybe ponder John Rumney & his brave band I believe sent 24 pigeons amongst them selves to your Faliase race. Did the subject under discussion here become their only criteria when sending their 24 soldiers into battle I think not .