Pigeon puffin: Pomeranian and other species

Pigeon dove – one of the types of pigeons, which received its name because of the ability to inflate the goiter to a significant size. Most often this is characteristic of males. The unusual appearance allows these pigeons to be classified as decorative species. The flight qualities of the bird are very poorly developed.

History of the breed

Pigeon puffin first appeared among breeders at the beginning of the 1345th century. The country of origin is considered to be Belgium or Holland, where pigeon breeding was a popular pastime. But information from XNUMX has been preserved, in which Spanish pigeons are mentioned, which can greatly inflate the goiter. It is quite possible that the puffers came to Europe through the countries of Austria-Hungary.

Description of pigeons

As a result of the work done by breeders, over time, about 20 species of puffin pigeons appeared. Among them are pigeons of various sizes, with and without feathers on their legs, with various shades. Puffin pigeons look very majestic in the photo.

The main features of the breed:

• the ability to inflate the goiter to a huge size;
• elongated, smooth body, with a vertical arrangement;
• narrow, long tail and wings lying on it;
• small head with a high frontal part;
• poor flying qualities.

The population of pouter pigeons is common in the West and in Our Country. The cold season is spent in the warm countries of South America.

They live near water bodies – where there is a wet grass cover. During wintering, they are grouped in small flocks of up to 6 birds. There are also solitary birds. They fly for a short time and are extremely reluctant. Puffins are comfortable in enclosures. Males are very aggressive and often fight. Therefore, this breed is best kept separate from other birds. They have poor health and require careful attention to themselves when kept in captivity.

Types of pigeons

Puffin pigeons differ among themselves depending on the place of breeding. All varieties have certain standards and differences. The common thing is that the breed is difficult to care for, the breeder will need a lot of effort and attention to his wards. Culling in work with puffers is quite a common occurrence. Pigeon breeders carefully select chicks for breeding purebred individuals. This is a rather complicated process, since pouts are not fertile. Sometimes it takes at least a year to breed a puffin with a special plumage color.

A video of puffin pigeons is presented below.

English 

The breed was bred by crossing the pigeons of the old Dutch species with Roman pigeons, more than 300 years ago in England. Until now, they are the most popular breed among pouters.

The back and tail form an almost straight line. Quite large in size, the length of the bird is about 50 cm. The head is small, smooth, without a crest, in the shape of an oval. Multi-colored pigeons have yellow-red eyes, while white-colored pigeons have dark eyes. The goiter in the inflated state has the shape of a ball, narrows towards the chest. The wings are long, their ends lie on the tail. The legs are covered with feathers. Color can be varied. There are individuals of white, black, blue, red. Puffin colored pigeons have a white breast, belly, wing tips, and a crescent on the breast. On the wings there are epaulettes of several small feathers. There are pigeons of this species without a pattern – pure white birds.

Czech saddle 

The breed of pigeons comes from the Czech Republic, but recently interest in it has been somewhat lost due to passion for other breeds of birds. Therefore, Germany became the second homeland of Czech pouts, where they greatly appreciate the good productivity and grace of these birds.

They differ from the closest relative of the Moravian puffin in pattern. On the forehead of the bird there is a colored speck of an oblong shape. It is the same color as the goiter, tail, saddle. Pigeon with a characteristic color, long plumage and abundant plumage on the legs. The bird has very good flying qualities, it is quite resistant to adverse weather conditions, various diseases.

It is distinguished by its beauty and is valued by breeders as a decorative breed for exhibitions.

Brno 

This is the smallest and neatest pigeon of all the representatives of the pouts. It is narrow in shape, with a developed goiter. It has a small head, eyes are often orange. Narrow feathers lag far behind the body, legs are long and slender. The plumage can be white-striped, black-striped, brindle and interspersed.

They are usually fed with barley, wheat, and millet. During the molting period, it is better to introduce oats, flax seeds and colza into the diet. You should feed the birds more often, but in small portions. Excess fat is deposited in the body of pigeons when corn, peas, beans are introduced into the feed, so it is not advisable to feed them.

Norwich 

This puffin is a decorative show breed. Stands straight on long legs, as if on tiptoe. The goiter is round, located at a right angle. The bird is of medium size, without forelock and plumage on the legs.

The typical color of feathers is black, white, gray, brick, brown, beige. All colors are bright, juicy shades. Marriage is inconspicuous colors, a weakly pronounced pattern on the plumage of a bird.

Usually the pattern is even, in the form of a crescent. Starts on the goiter, ends on the sides.

Wurburg 

Very calm, friendly, playful bird. Attentive to the person, devoted. Stands and walks upright. During courtship, a pair of doves spread their tail beautifully like a fan, they bounce in front of each other. In flight, pouties flap their wings loudly.

The plumage is quite dense, fits the body well. The main color of the dove is white except for the tips of the wings. Colors should be bright and clear. Pigeons of this breed always hold their beak up because of the large goiter.

Dwarfish

They can be called dwarfs when compared with other breeds of pouts. Their size is about 35 cm in length.

They first appeared at the end of the XNUMXth century, the progenitors were Brno and English pouter pigeons. Outwardly, pygmy pigeons are very similar to their ancestors, with the exception of size. They are kept only in open-air cages, but they can easily live in apartments.

The goiter of pigeons is spherical in shape, the body is even, neat. The color of the eyes depends on the shade of plumage. Pigeons are very diverse in color. They can be silvery, with a blue tint, and there are also black and white individuals.

The breed is easily vulnerable and requires careful care.

Puffin gaditano 

A medium-sized pigeon with a very lively disposition. The goiter is neat, in the form of a ball. The head is elongated, with a small cere. Beak short, rounded. The wings are strong, lie on the tail, the tips do not cross.

The bird can be of various colors. The plumage is quite dense. There is a pattern in the form of spots, stripes and other marks.

Individuals with a strongly swollen goiter, too narrow a body, short or long legs and with a pronounced cere are subject to culling.

hall puffin 

They give the impression of an elegant, small, very mobile bird. The body is located horizontally, the head is strongly thrown back. The goiter is wide, round and, in combination with the body of the bird, resembles a ball with a tail. The plumage is short, bright color. The standard color is one-color, but there are pigeons of a variegated, brindle color.

Among the shortcomings may be a narrow body, a small goiter, irregularly shaped legs, an uneven tail, and a lack of a horizontal position when walking.

Pomeranian

Larger birds than the English pouter, with a powerful body. The plumage color can be pure white, white with a black or gray tail. There are colored individuals with a white crescent on the goiter. Of the colored ones, pigeons of a brick, yellow, and bluish hue are more common.

Pomeranian puffers have a smooth head, without a tuft, a medium-sized beak (in white and colored birds it is beige, in the rest it is dark). Large goiter, broad chest. The wings are dense, the tail is wide, slightly rounded at the end. The legs are long with abundant plumage.

Features of the content

Breeding pigeons of this breed is troublesome and requires a lot of effort and special attention from the breeder. Pouters are often exposed to various diseases because they have a weak immune system. In addition, males are pugnacious, often injuring each other’s goiter. Therefore, this breed of pigeons should be kept separate from other birds to avoid punctures.

dovecote requirement

The main requirement is to keep the premises clean. Need to do daily cleaning. Every day, clean the feeders, drinkers, bathing. Disinfect the premises twice a year. The dovecote should be built only from natural building materials. The room should be warm, dry and light. It is necessary to carry out additional lighting, especially birds need it in the winter. In summer, you need to ventilate more often and shade the dovecote in the bright sun. The temperature regime in the dovecote is as follows: 20 degrees in summer, up to -6 in winter. One of the prerequisites is the presence of dry natural bedding.

Pout feeding

The diet is not particularly different from that of other pigeon species. They also need protein, carbohydrates and fats. We must not forget about vitamins and mineral supplements. Be sure to provide the bird with green fodder, vegetables, fruits, fish oil, ground eggshells. Since the immunity of pigeons of this breed is weakened, many breeders strengthen it with decoctions of various herbs.

On average, pigeons consume from 40 to 50 g per day, in winter the norm is increased by 2 times, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements.

Puffin pigeons drink a lot of water, so they should have free access to clean and fresh fluids. And since they often drink from bathing places, it is necessary to change the water and clean the containers for liquids daily.

Poultry breeding

2 weeks after mating, the female lays eggs. The adult lays 2 eggs. Hatching time is about 18-20 days. Usually the female and male sit in the nest in turn. The arrangement of the nest is mostly done by the male, and the female completes the construction. The breeder can help a little: throw branches and straw into the aviary.

On the 4th day after laying, you need to check the eggs for fertility. To do this, you need to carefully take the egg and look at the light: a dark spot of the embryo and red vessels of the circulatory system will be visible in the fertilized egg. An unfertilized egg is transparent, it is replaced with an artificial dummy so that the parents do not abandon the clutch.

Conclusion

The dove pouter is an unusual bird in terms of external characteristics and behavior with a touching attitude towards humans. Her peaceful disposition more than compensates for some difficulty in maintenance and care.