Feather Length in Jacobins

by Clint Robertson

To any beginner in Jacobins, feather length in profile is most definitely the most striking characteristic. It would seem to them that long feather is what sets a good Jacobin apart from the rest. In reality, feather length can be very misleading and can actually be detrimental to an otherwise good Jacobin, if not bred properly. The late Harry Alexander put it best in his "Jacobin Handbook” when referring to feather length in Jacobins, he stated: As long as possible, but never to a fault.

In my opinion, feather length by itself, is one of the easiest features to breed into your family of Jacobins. The challenge is to have all of the other fine points which make up a show Jacobin, and still retain as much feather length as possible. Balance is so important: the chain must equal the mane in profile for extension and fit. You desire a smooth, hard feather. Canadian “Master Breeder” Marcel Giguere describes it as- “feather with a glassy finish where one feather cannot be distinguished from the other, and you can almost see yourself in its sheen.”

Too many breeders overlook good station and body refinement in their desire to breed bigger feather. The fact is, it is much easier to breed bigger feather on a bigger body, but again, the Standard, in regards to body, states: “Long and slender, stressing slimness.” You can breed big feather on long refined bodies, it is just not as easy to do. I have seen it done and I have even bred a couple myself; it is just a matter of doing it.

All too often, a Jacobin which has long feather in profile, lacks in areas such as proper hood setting and proper roll and fit to the feather. These are features which can only be determined by viewing the Jacobin from above or behind. As American Master Breeder - Drew Lobenstein puts it, he likes to see a “ball-y appearance” which is emphasizing the roll and volume of feather. It is also common to see long feather droop or hang down, rather than roll in from side to side. Frequently, this leads to the mane hanging down the back of the bird, taking away from the desired narrow neckline and whip-in region.

It is also common to see a lot of long feathered birds that lack the wealth of feather or volume of feather we want. They can be almost paper thin. Often, when we do manage to add the wealth and volume to the length, the feather mass becomes so heavy that it drops down from side to side, and the bird cannot control it or hold it up. So you see when you begin to study the Jacobin and the Standard, you as a breeder, can begin to appreciate the many fine characteristics which really make up a show bird. Each characteristic is somehow connected to the other so that for everything to work, it must be laid out or put on just right.

Again-”as long as possible, but never to a fault.” When you breed the beautifully balanced Jacobin with the perfect station. hood setting, top feather, chain, mane, colour, markings,(Smooth, glassy, ball-y feather); nice even roses, refined body, and you finish it off with length of feather, then your Jacobin will be the one to beat. Hopefully, you can see now that, when all of the other finer points ( which are often far more difficult to breed) are placed on one balanced Jacobin, that Jacobin will win out over feather length alone.

                                                Written by Clint Robertson <clint@jacobins.ca>