Below is a question that was asked on my discussion site and the answer I provided. Later I got to thinking about what the question really meant in regards to the guy’s thinking behind the question and so I just want to tell newcomers that a roller pigeon’s expression of ability does not exist in a static state – that it is actually “dynamic” in that it is in a constant state of change whether for good or bad.

In other words, simply because a roller once rolled 40 foot does not mean that it will ALWAYS roll 40 foot. Just because a bird was once a good kit bird does not mean that it will always BE a good kit bird.

A good athlete is not ALWAYS a good athlete. Ability can be lost or diminished over time. In my view the value in this bird is that of a BREEDER. It was sold that way and should remain that way. Trying to recapture the GLORY days of what it was as a kit bird is to not understand the dynamics of the effect of time and environment has on a bird.


QUESTION:

Breeding Quality Bird?

I just acquired a roller that was supposedly breeding stock. I started to let it out and every time it tries to take off it flips and lands on the ground. It has never flown above 10 feet without doing this. is he breeding quality. I was wondering why the guy was so pushy about selling this bird to me.  

RESPONSE:

Getting a breeder into the air may not be as easy as you think. Allot of variables can influence the result you are seeing. Here are some that come to mind:

1: Previous injury
2: Muscle atrophy after long periods without flying
3: Adapted to being fat and happy sitting on a perch or eggs and babies
4: Sub-clinical illness
5: Needs more time to get its mojo back
6: Management

Good luck!   

LINK TO ORIGINAL DISCUSSION THREAD