F-KER – Feather quality and endurance in racing pigeons (F-KER: g.710T>G)
The F-KER marker concerns a keratin gene involved in feather structure, an essential element for flight quality in racing pigeons. The F-KER g.710T>G mutation may modify feather keratin and influence its mechanical characteristics. The TT genotype stands out mainly as being of interest for long-distance races, meaning races over 500 km, with better results reported for this type of competition. This test therefore provides complementary information to guide the selection of breeding birds intended for prolonged effort, while taking into account the actual quality of the pigeon, its lineage, training and results.



