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Nikolaev pigeons are a breed of Ukrainian high-flying pigeons. Very popular in Ukraine and far beyond its borders. Fans of the breed appreciate the Nikolaev pigeons for their unique circleless flight.
History of Nikolaev pigeons
The birthplace of Nikolaev pigeons is the city of Nikolaev (Ukraine). It is assumed that unusual birds were brought to the Black Sea coast by sailors from Turkey, Spain and other countries. Pigeon breeders crossed them with local breeds of pigeons. As a result of a long selection work in the selection of pairs with certain flight functions, this breed was formed. At the beginning of the 1910th century, in XNUMX, the standards for the breed of Nikolaev pigeons were first established.
Their middle name is cloud-cutters, as they are able to rise to a considerable height (up to clouds and clouds), sometimes completely disappearing from view. The breeding work of the breeders was aimed at developing the flight properties of the Nikolaev pigeons. Seaside winds, warm climate, diet, care have turned the pigeon into a unique bird with good flying qualities.
There is a version about the origin of this breed of pigeons from Ancient Greece, and pigeons with an unusual “butterfly” flight style from Poland. However, today these assumptions cannot be verified.
Features of the Nikolaev high-flying pigeons
The Nikolaev breed of high-flying pigeons differs significantly from other breeds in its characteristics. The unique anatomical structure of the body allows pigeons to resist rising air currents during flight. The Nikolaev birds have a streamlined body shape, strong, developed muscles, with the help of which the pigeons are in the sky for a long time. The plumage is quite dense, the feathers on the wings are wide and quite mobile. The tail is large in size, elongated. The plumage on the tail and wings is elastic, resilient.
Nikolaev pigeons are able to rise to a height of up to 2 km, while making incredible flights along the trajectory. Many subspecies prefer to fly alone, such as black whitetails.
Flight of Nicholas pigeons
Of all the variety of high-flying breeds of pigeons, only Nikolaev pigeons have a unique flight style. Representatives of this breed do not make circular movements either when ascending or descending. They rise strictly vertically and so high that sometimes they disappear from sight, “stand” in one place. Working with wings, fluffing the tail at the same time, thereby forming a circle, the birds hang in the air for several hours, then rising, then falling a little. The video of the flight of the Nikolaev pigeons is simply amazing.
There are 4 types of flight:
- skylark – in flight, the pigeon stretches its wings along the body, quickly moves them, from time to time freezing in the air;
- butterfly – the pigeon has its wings at a certain angle (30 °), often flaps them, does not hang during the flight;
- face – the bird exposes its wings at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the body, takes off strictly vertically in a “column”, quickly gains height; does not flap its wings, but slightly trembles with its tips; is the rarest type of flight;
- sickle or eversion-sickle – horizontal takeoff, putting the wings forward of the head and turning them in an arc (sickle).
Among the pigeons of the Nikolaev high-flying breed, butterfly-style flight is classic. Birds quickly learn this type of summer even without much training. Nikolaev high-flying butt pigeons are the rarest, which is why they are so valued at various international exhibitions and competitions. They are distinguished by strength, endurance, vertical takeoff and beautiful landing. Video of the Nikolaev butt pigeons can be viewed below.
All representatives of this breed prefer to fly alone. Taking off from the dovecote in a flock, they immediately scatter in different directions.
Breed characteristics and standards of high-flying Nikolaev pigeons
Representatives of Nikolaev pigeons must meet the following standards:
- body length does not exceed 40 cm;
- body tilt to the ground no more than 45 degrees;
- the back is wide, passes into a short neck;
- the breast is slightly convex;
- on the head smooth plumage, without tuft;
- the beak is medium in size, slightly curved;
- strong wings pressed tightly to the body;
- the tail section is located horizontally with respect to the ground, has 16 tail feathers;
- paws are dark red, without plumage;
- eyes yellow or orange.
The breed has extremely clear characteristics. If an individual differs in any way from the main indicators, then it is not suitable for preserving the breed.
They are constantly trying to improve the Nikolaev breed, so new varieties often appear. Basically, selection is carried out by Ukrainian breeders, subspecies get their names from the cities where they were bred. Thus, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kyiv and Melitopol fighting pigeons are distinguished. The Nikolaev pigeons of Our Country are represented by Rostov high-flying individuals.
They differ from each other in color, different styles of flight, the structure of the body of the bird. Even breeds with forelocks and rich plumage on their legs appeared.
Any of the subspecies has a hull structure adapted to flight. Nicholas pigeons can stay in the sky for up to 10 hours. Chicks begin to rise into the air from 1,5 months of age.
Suits of Nikolaev pigeons
If we talk about color, then earlier breeders did not pay much attention to it. The main thing was the style and duration of the flight. To date, the Nikolaev high-flying pigeons have become more elegant, with a variety of colors. Unfortunately, this often has a negative effect on flight performance.
In Nikolaev pigeons, with a varied palette of colors, the tail is almost always white. The following suits are distinguished:
- Martins – birds of a light color, there are dark spots on the back, flight feathers of light or dark tones;
- hryvnia – white birds with a dark spot on the back of the head, which resembles a mane;
- shield (sideways) – the sides and wings are colored, there is a small speck on the forehead;
- motley (murye) white-tailed – feathers on the body of pigeons are light or dark, with contrasting inclusions;
- solid – colored pigeons, but the birds have a black or blue tail of a dark shade.
The main color of the plumage can be gray, blue, red, ashen, marble.
The nature of the Nikolaev pigeons
Individuals of this breed are very hardy and energetic, with strong immunity. They can adapt to any conditions, including climatic ones, they are not picky about keeping and feeding. The behavior is somewhat aggressive, but for their chicks they are very caring parents. In a year, the couple makes up to 3 clutches and incubates the chicks in turn. Babies of Nikolaev pigeons also have good adaptive properties. They are hardy, like adults.
Conditions of detention
By their nature, Nikolaev pigeons are rather unpretentious birds, but certain rules for keeping and caring must be observed.
One of the main rules is the separation of males and females for the winter months. In early February, by the mating period, they can be connected again, the resulting pairs will give offspring.
It is important to keep pigeons in specially equipped rooms – dovecotes or poultry houses. They should be as spacious as possible, protected from wind, drafts, direct sunlight. It is recommended to regularly clean the house from litter, change the water in the bath and drinkers daily.
The flock should be inspected every day. They, like all birds, are susceptible to some infections. If an unhealthy bird is found, the breeder must immediately remove it from the rest of the flock to a separate room and show it to the veterinarian.
The diet should be aimed at strengthening the muscles and maintaining energy reserves, since the bird is a flying breed. To do this, it is necessary to add protein products and carbohydrates to grain mixtures. It is very useful to add millet to the feed – it does not weigh down the bird, while energizing it.
Breeding pigeons of the Nikolaev breed
Breeding Nikolaev pigeons is an easy task. As a rule, they create a couple for life. But when it comes to breeding mating, in order to get genetically pure offspring, the breeder selects pairs artificially. The Nikolaev breed of birds incubate eggs in turn. Chicks are born on the 19-20th day. Unfertilized eggs the breeder must promptly replace with dummies.
Until the age of one month, the female feeds the chicks with goiter milk. Sometimes pigeon breeders have to replace parents and feed the chicks on their own, making a warm mixture of milk and pureed yolk. They should eat up to 6 times a day. Be sure to teach the kids to drink water by carefully dipping them with their beak into a container of water. In the hot period of time, you need to bathe the chicks, lowering them up to the neck into the water.
After a month, babies can be given small steamed grains, fruits and vegetables, and then gradually transfer them to a full-fledged adult diet.
bird training
Since these birds constantly participate in various competitions, they need daily training. You need to start classes from the age of one month.
Initially, pigeons should be taught to fly in an aviary, and then proceed to take-off training from the roof of the house. This should be done gradually, without overloading the flock, with short breaks.
Intensive training is carried out immediately before the competition. The rest of the time, the load should be moderate. Classes are best done in the morning, in good weather. On foggy days, training should be canceled, as the birds can become disoriented.
Before starting training, you should make sure that the flock is healthy.
Breed diseases
Pigeon breeders should visually inspect their flock of pigeons daily. Healthy and sick birds must be able to distinguish. A healthy pigeon is characterized by uniform plumage, smooth, clean mucous membranes, easy breathing, formed stools and an interest in food.
Diseases can manifest themselves after contact with a sick bird, rodents, due to stale water, poor quality food. The main diseases of Nikolaev pigeons:
- thrush – a fungal disease in which the bird is lethargic, with formations on the mucous membranes, loose stools;
- anemia – more associated with poor-quality nutrition, affects well-being and muscle tone;
- smallpox – expressed in damage to the skin and mucous membranes in the form of growths;
- paratyphoid – the intestines, the nervous system are affected, manifested in the absence of appetite, unsteadiness;
- ornithosis – the respiratory system suffers, characterized by weakness, shortness of breath;
- coccidiosis – an intestinal disease in which loose stools, poor appetite, convulsions are observed;
- trichomoniasis – Inflammatory disease of the throat and digestive system.
To avoid these and other diseases, it is important to properly equip the dovecote: carry out ventilation, additional lighting, regularly measure the level of humidity. Be sure to do daily cleaning, change the water, wash and disinfect all containers. Also, the breeder needs to remember the importance of timely vaccination, the addition of vitamins and minerals to food.
Conclusion
Nikolaev pigeons are birds with an original, bewitching flight. A big plus is their endurance, disease resistance and unpretentious care. That is why many breeders opt for this unique breed.