That problem was also experienced by a blog reader who emailed a question some time ago. He told me he found chicks from both euwing parents with strange flight feathers.
As I mentioned, his euwing seemed twisted in the flight feathers. And some breeders and I have also experienced something similar.
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This is not due to poor care or insufficient nutrition, so let's analyze what causes flight feather problems in euwing mutations.
This may also be an updated article from my previous article about stopping pairing euwing to euwing lovebird breeding.
Identify euwing mutation flight feather problems and dark factors
I will divide this identification into two factors. It could be only the first factor that affects it, or the euwing flight feather problem is influenced by a combination of the two actors I describe below.
Feather problems due to improper crossing factors
When the euwing mutation was first discovered, it had a fantastic price range. At that time, breeders wanted
to avoid risks with euwing x normal crosses because there was a percentage that would only get the euwing phenotype
in F1.
They preferred the Euwing x Euwing cross because the next generation was 100% certain, which was very
profitable for them.
This is where it all started; too many euwing
double factors (DF) were available, so breeders were forced to cross with euwing starters (DF).
The lack of
literacy led breeders to consciously cross (DF) euwing x (DF) euwing. As a result, many offspring had
poor flight feather appearance.
Feather problems due to double dark factor
Many hobbyists and breeders of lovebirds assume that the dark factor mutation is an allele that affects the darkness
and lightness of the feather, as occurs with melanin mutations.
But remember that the dark factor is a mutation in the feather structure that does not directly increase or decrease melanin levels in the lovebird's feather.
The dark factor only changes the sponge and barb zones, either narrowing or widening them, so the effect is either darker or lighter.
What goes wrong and causes flight feather problems in euwing mutations is a double dark factor (DD) crosses with
euwing mutations with a dark factor mutation base. Lack of literacy makes it difficult for hobbyists and breeders to
distinguish between (DF) euwing without dark factor vs.
(DD) double dark factor euwing, which happens to both
green and blue birds. So they unconsciously crossed (DF)euwing (DD) x (DF)euwing (DD). What is happening now is the effect of repeated
crosses circulating double dark factor and double dark factor euwing.
If you don't believe that repeated crossing of the double dark factor (DD) worsens the condition of the plumage in lovebirds, take a look at this picture:
In the photo, there are two opaline lutino mutations on the left from DF Euwing
x SF Euwing parents, all of which have the dark factor and opaline lutino split, and on the right from opaline
lutino x lutino parents.
You can observe that the lutino on the left has a similar feather appearance, with
the euwing having flight feather problems.
Phenotypically, it is indeed a lutino, but in terms of genotype, it combines D euwing and double dark factor. This is evidence that the dark factor only affects the
sponge and barb zones, resulting in smaller cavities and abnormal feathers.
So the conclusion of the problem of abnormal euwing flight feathers is the combination of double dark factor and double factor euwing. So, as much as possible, pair euwing with normal, and pair dark factor with normal birds.
Feather problems due to Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)
Parrots have a unique disease called Psittacine Beak and
Feather Disease (PBFD). It is a serious disease that affects parrots such as lovebirds, parrots, cockatoos, and
various other types of parrots.
The disease is caused by a virus known as Circovirus and mainly affects the bird's
immune system, feathers, and beak.
In the case of flight feather problems, the euwing mutation may also be affected by this disease. In lovebirds, it is
often referred to as stressed feathers, although in most lovebirds, the effects of stressed feathers are simply
broken or striped in color.
Still, the impact of the complex feather structure of the euwing could be worse. This is some analysis of the euwing mutation flight feather problem that I can write about based on my experience in
the aviary.
Hopefully, it will be useful and inspiring, allowing us to become more selective when planning to breed lovebirds in the future.