but have you ever considered that practice is perpetuating a problem?
I don\'t think it is. I select for birds with the proper feathers and am not trimming because there is excessive fluff, although at least one LF buff has it. If I were trimming due to excessive fluff I would agree.
These birds may even have the same fertility whether trimmed or not, but with all I have invested in feed, electricity, etc. I want them to have every advantage possible to produce eggs that produce chicks.
This also helps cut down on the waste product (caca) that sometimes accumulates on the feathers around the vent, since the feathers are trimmed short.
I know you don\'t use heated waterers for your birds, but I do. Not because they need them, but to make sure there is plenty of water available during the egg collecting season. Those waterers also save a lot of my time all winter long.
The same with feeding them a special game bird breeder feed starting about a month before collecting eggs to set. On this one we\'ll probably agree that it helps produce yokes that will produce healthier chicks (prenatal health).
I liken it somewhat to artificial insemination (AI). If someone uses that method because that is the way they want to it is probably a good way to go. But, if they use AI because their birds are to big to mate naturally then they are perpetuating a problem.