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From: Dave Walters
Security: green
Date: 12 Jul 2008
Time: 22:53:07 +0100
Remote Name: 88.106.17.165
Hi Neil - Obviuosly this is genetic with the problem re-occurring so regularly and to me it sounds like the gene called Silky or Lace (Genetic Symbol L) but with your last flight only being effected it is more like a less extreme version of Silky called Frayed (Genetic symbol F). It is a dominant gene and therefore not easy to get rid of and I would suggest it has come from whatever was put into West's to develop the Khaki. The gene is not sex linked. The gene produces a soft, weakened feather structure which fail to web properly due to a slight twisting of the feather as it grows from the follicle. All barbs and barbules are present but they fail to hook up properly. The gene normally appears in heterozygote condition (F//+) because if it were homozygote (F//F) then the feather would break down to bare shafts. Neil this is only an opinion as to your problem and i hope it has been of some help to you and like you have been doing the only way to rid your birds of the gene is to get rid of those that show signs of the gene because they will only pass it on. Regards Dave