UkPigeonRacing

Like most theories , there is no evidence to back it up.

When I pair stock I get 8 best cocks 8 best hens throw them in section let them craic on ,if there's a certain pair I want together they get a section to there self ,
Last Yr I rested my good dark v loon hen never took a egg of her this Yr she's getting a section to her self n my 21 cock is going with her ,the 21 cock was best I raced in 2020,21 probably best in fed as well he was rarely out top ten of fed mostly in first 5 of fed the dark v loon was best 2023 season hardly out first 8 of fed, both have bred good birds but I just fancy birds of these 2 birds I don't no what eyes they have never looked but cock loved s west winds hen loved east winds so be interested to see how it goes.

Neil, what is this breeding feather theory please.
Its not something I have heard of but would like to know more about it.
I doubt I would use it for selection or anything but would still like to know so I can dismiss it for myself.

NeilA wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:45 pm From what I know if you lift the wing and look underneath the feather where the wing joins the body I believe people look for them 3 feathers to be long and with a straight edge at the top of the feather not a point
Others will know more and I imagine explain it better

What I notice Neil all baby's have round feathers where u say and adults have nice sq cut of feathers don't really see older birds with round feathers there.

Diamond Dave wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:40 pm Neil, what is this breeding feather theory please.
Its not something I have heard of but would like to know more about it.
I doubt I would use it for selection or anything but would still like to know so I can dismiss it for myself.

The "breeding feathers theory" for pigeons, particularly the Belgian Square Feathers theory, is a breeding concept that focuses on the quality and arrangement of a pigeon's underwing feathers to predict its racing performance. It suggests that pigeons with well-developed, dense, and uniformly shaped underwing feathers, aligned in a square pattern, have better flying ability. While popular in some circles, the theory is not universally accepted and lacks scientific evidence.
Key principles of the theory
Feather quality: The theory emphasizes strong, stiff, and glossy feathers with good density and coverage.
Feather arrangement: The ideal is a "square" or "rectangular" pattern where the three primary underwing feathers are long and have square tips, like they've been cut with scissors.
Feather length order: Some proponents believe the 10th, 9th, and 8th primary feathers should decrease in length in that order.
Other wing characteristics: Strong, thin "arms" (wing bones), thick and strong feathers to fight wind, and a uniform look are also considered.

Benefits proposed by the theory
Improved flying ability: Stronger and better-shaped feathers can lead to better performance.
Enhanced breeding potential: The theory suggests these feather traits are passed on, improving the overall quality of offspring.
Better health: Birds with superior feathering are believed to have better overall health and vitality.
Increased resistance: Superior feather quality is sometimes linked to increased resistance to disease and stress.
Limitations and alternative views
Lack of scientific evidence: The theory lacks scientific proof to support its claims.
Holistic approach is better: Many experts argue that performance is a combination of many factors, not just one physical trait.
Practical performance is key: Other breeders emphasize that while feather quality can be a factor, the ultimate test is performance in actual races, and a pigeon's genetics, health, training, and mental resilience are also critical.
Other traits to consider: Other important physical traits to look for include a strong back and chest, a compact body shape, and a tail that is straight and aligned with the body.
Not the sole factor: Many suggest that if two pigeons are otherwise identical, then breeding feathers could be an additional factor to consider.

Inclined to agree that one is BS King. There is no science that would support that.

Since the start of pigeon racing people have been looking for an “Alchemists stone” some sign or marker that would short circuit or guarantee a route to success, there isn’t one and before I get accused of taking the pi$$ again, i would gladly accept concrete evidence that the following aren’t true and there is some crackpot theory or theories that we should all follow so that we can all be winners
1. The most important things about a pigeon aren’t visible I.e. what’s in its head and in its heart
2. There is no guarantee that winning stock will reproduce its like although the odds of doing so are significantly improved by pairing best to best or sourcing from proven stock
3. Once potentially good stock is obtained then sensible management and hard work are imperative for success there is no substitute for effort.
A couple of examples make me believe that this is true.
We bought a pair of Karel Hermans from Barry McNicholas out of his Gemma stock neither of which conformed to accepted necessary theories eye, wing, throat etc in fact the cock was canary tailed, slack vented, deep keeled etc we entered him into an eye sign show judged by the late Brian May who told me that he would never breed anything worth a light, every bird bred from this pair either won or bred winners from every race point out to 400 miles including Animal winner of 25 prizes including 1st Fed from over 3500 birds at 180 miles and treble 7 winner of 3 consecutive channel races pools to £5 and a Louella sponsored Microwave oven.
The other thing was a story I remember reading years ago when a correspondent visited the lofts of Victor Fabry and complimented Mons Fabry of the peas in a pod type of his birds but asked what a gangly looking bird was doing on a top perch. He apparently replied oh we can’t do without the Oude check cock he has many firsts.
Winners or breeders of winners come in all shape sizes and colours

Makes me wonder how many pigeons have been culled by fanciers over the years because they don't conform to countless unproven theories? The race basket sorts them out. That's not a theory, that's a fact.

I remember Dave Delea winning NFC Pau or Tarbes with a yearling I think, the photo was on the front cover of the BHW and to say there are prettier birds in Trafalgar Square is an understatement

It was Pau in 1989