Pigeon keeping

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A pigeon fancier

Pigeon keeping or pigeon fancying is the art and science of breeding domestic pigeons. People have practiced pigeon keeping for at least 5,000 years [1] and in almost every part of the world. In that time, humans have substantially altered the morphology and the behaviour of the domesticated descendants of the rock dove to suit their needs for food, aesthetic satisfaction and entertainment.

Contents

People who breed pigeons are commonly referred to as pigeon fanciers. [2] The hobby is gaining in popularity in the United States, after having waned within the last 50 years. [3] Both the hobby and commercial aspects of keeping pigeons are thriving in other parts of the world.

Types of pigeons kept

The rock dove, the wild ancestor of domestic pigeons, was domesticated at least five thousand years ago, when it is first mentioned in historical records from Mesopotamia. [1] There are hundreds of breeds of domesticated pigeons arising from this common ancestor which are currently cultivated by pigeon fanciers. [4] Because of the large number of domesticated breeds, pigeon fanciers find it convenient for certain purposes to group sets of domesticated pigeons into larger groups.

In the United States and United Kingdom, there are three major recognized groups of breeds [5] of domesticated pigeons:

Pigeon fanciers in other nations use different schemes in grouping domesticated pigeons; for example, a nationwide pigeon organization in Germany [6] uses a far different grouping scheme. [7] The Australian grouping system is similar to the UK/European groupings. For example, see: Major breed families of fancy pigeon.

Flying/Sporting pigeons

These pigeons are kept and bred for their aerial performance and for reproduction. Racing homers are a type of homing pigeon, trained to participate in the sport of pigeon racing, and have been used to carry messages during times of war. Such races often have large cash prizes of up to $1 million as the Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race. Fanciers who fly racing pigeons sometimes win long-distance races and even break records. [8] Other flying/sporting pigeons are bred for unique flying characteristics other than homing, such as rolling, high-flying, and diving. These birds, which may be flown in competitions, include but are not limited to Rollers, Tumblers, and Tipplers. A few varieties, for example, the Parlor Roller, are considered to be within the flying/sporting group even though they do not fly. This is because they compete on the basis of their performance and not their appearance. Competitors in pigeon sporting competitions such as pigeon races can win large sums of prize money when their pigeons return home the fastest from a race. [9] The use of pigeons to carry messages is commonly called pigeon post. Pigeons can also carry small light-weight packages, and have been used to smuggle drugs into a prison. [10]

Fancy pigeons

Fancy pigeons are pigeons which are specially bred to perpetuate particular features. Examples of fancy pigeons would include Jacobins, Fantails and Pigmy Pouters. Their owners compete them against each other at exhibitions or pigeon shows and judges decide who has the best by comparing them to each other and their respective breed standard. There are many breeds of fancy pigeons of all sizes, colors and types. [11]

Utility pigeons

A pair of White Kings King pigeons.jpg
A pair of White Kings

Utility pigeons are bred for their meat and as replacement breeding stock. The meat of pigeons is customarily referred to as squab and is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Examples of utility varieties include King pigeons, several different varieties of Mondaines and Carneau.

Pigeon housing

Houses for pigeons are generally called lofts. [12] Pigeon houses are also sometimes referred to as "coops" although the word seems to have originally applied to the breeding pens inside the housing. They are also referred to as pigeon duckets in North East England. [13] There are as many different kinds of enclosures used to house pigeons in as there are pigeon fanciers. There are no real constraints on the design of housing for pigeons but there are some things that most fanciers find desirable.

These pigeon houses often contain specially constructed openings to allow the pigeon keeper to give his animals liberty for purposes of exercise while allowing them to re-enter the house without special assistance from the keeper. At the same time these houses are constructed to keep the pigeons safe from predators and inclement weather and give them nesting places in which to raise their squabs.

Multiple pens

Many pigeon fanciers build their pigeon loft with at least two pens. This allows a few positive outcomes for the pigeon fancier:

  1. They are able to separate their males from females in order to control breeding.
  2. They are able to separate young, unmated pigeons from mated and settled pairs. This allows the mated and settled pairs to breed better.

Most fanciers have at least two pens for their pigeons and often fanciers have more than two pens or possibly multiple pigeon lofts. Extra pens allow for the keeping of spare, unmated females and males which can be useful to replace existing pigeons which might perish from disease or predation. Because it can be difficult to determine the sex of a young pigeon it is also handy to have extra pens for pigeons that have been weaned but which have not given external indications of their sex yet.

Trap/landing board

A Sputnik trap. Sputnik Trap.jpg
A Sputnik trap.

For those pigeon fanciers that fly their pigeons (not all pigeon fanciers allow their pigeons to fly freely outside of their aviary) the pigeons need a means of ingress to the loft. A trap or at least bobs and landing board allows the pigeon to get back into their home when they are ready to do so. There are different variations of trap and bobs used. [14] Racing pigeons are commonly trapped home using a bob wired trapping arrangement that the birds push against the bob wires to gain access, but are restricted by the wires when trying to get back outside. Another form of trap typically called a Sputnik trap (pictured) uses openings set on an angle which are just wide enough for one bird to gain access by dropping through into the loft.

Flypen

Sometimes pigeon fanciers cannot allow their birds complete liberty due to complaints of neighbors. However, pigeons have much better health and seem to be in much better spirits when they're given room to fly. So most fanciers, including those that let their birds fly, will build a large enclosed area free of obstacles where the pigeons can fly as freely as they wish. This is usually referred to as a flypen. [15]

Nest boxes

Pigeon fanciers will often provide their mated pairs with nest boxes in which to build their nests. Because pigeons are quite territorial about their nesting area [16] pigeons co-exist much more harmoniously when each mated pair has two nest boxes of its own.

Perches

Again, pigeon fanciers often provide their birds (both mated and unmated pigeons) with more perches than the birds need. Because pigeons are also quite territorial about their perch [16] it is best to ensure that every pigeon in the loft has many places to perch.

Pigeon fanciers often have their pigeon lofts in suitably modified garden sheds. In Glasgow and other areas of Scotland there has been a tradition of pigeon keepers building their own freestanding urban pigeon lofts, or doocots, standing about 4m high in areas of waste ground close to housing estates. In New York City, pigeon fanciers often build pigeon lofts on the roof of the building.

Portrayal in the arts

There have been several portrayals of pigeon keeping and pigeon fanciers in the arts. One of the more famous portrayals of this hobby was in the film On The Waterfront where the main character, Terry Malloy, is a pigeon keeper. [17] In the film Ghost Dog , the title character is a hitman who communicates only using homing pigeons.

There have been portrayals of pigeon keeping in other art forms as well. The artist Zina Saunders has painted portraits of New York pigeon keepers as part of her Overlooked New York project. [18] Photographer Zak Waters shot a black and white project documenting the lives of pigeon fanciers in the UK called Birdmen. Sydney-based photographer Ho Hai Tran recently debuted his work On Pigeons which chronicled more than a year spent with the Pigeon Fanciers Society of New South Wales in Australia. The work was also exhibited in early 2013 in a show entitled Fancy which showcased portraits of some of the most notable fancy breeds including the Pouter, Jacobin, King and Dragoon. In the musical The Producers, the deranged ex-Nazi named Franz Liebkind, who writes the fictitious play Springtime for Hitler, is a pigeon fancier.

The British visual and performance artist, Victoria Melody, investigated pigeon fanciers to create a 2009 exhibition, Demographics of a Pigeon Fancier, and a 2012 theatre show, Northern Soul. The projects were the result of months spent living with British pigeon fanciers during the racing season. [19]

On the U.S. television show NYPD Blue , Detective Bobby Simone raised pigeons. Several episodes featured Simone tending to his pigeons on the roof of his home.

The novel Young Mungo 's character James is a Catholic Glaswegian boy who has built a dovecote behind his flat. There is some discussion of the Glaswegian community of pigeon fanciers and the competition between them.

Origins of commercial pigeon keeping

Since their initial domestication by people, pigeons have been seen as a cheap source of good meat. The Romans certainly kept pigeons for food as evidenced by the fact that they were familiar with the practice of force-feeding squabs in order to fatten the young pigeons faster. [20] Pigeons were especially prized because they would produce fresh meat during the winter months when larger animals were unavailable as a food source. In the past wealthy landowners often had pigeon houses and kept pigeons. Strict laws were enacted to protect the inhabitants of these structures. [21]

Improving yield

Ten pairs of pigeons can produce eight squabs each month without being fed especially by the pigeon keepers. For a greater yield, commercially raised squab may be produced in a two-nest system, where the mother lays two new eggs in a second nest while the squabs are still growing in the first nest, [22] fed by their father. [23] Establishing two breeding lines has also been suggested as a strategy, where one breeding line is selected for prolificacy and the other is selected for "parental performance". [24]

Hazards

Keeping pigeons has been found to lead to a condition called pigeon fancier's lung in some fanciers. [25] Pigeon fancier's lung is an extrinsic allergic reaction resembling asthma which occurs when a person has been exposed to certain proteins in the dust associated with a pigeon's feathers over long periods of time, usually several years. [25] When a fancier develops this condition, there are several treatments which may help him or her to keep his or her pigeons. [25] However, some cases are so severe that the fancier must avoid close contact with pigeons. [26]

Famous fanciers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock dove</span> Species of bird

The rock dove, rock pigeon, or common pigeon is a member of the bird family Columbidae. In common usage, it is often simply referred to as the "pigeon", although this is the wild form of the bird; the pigeons most familiar to people are the domesticated form of the wild rock dove.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pigeon racing</span> Competition sport in which trained pigeons have to fly home as fast as possible

Pigeon racing is the sport of releasing specially trained homing pigeons, which then return to their homes over a carefully measured distance. The time it takes the animal to cover the specified distance is measured and the bird's rate of travel is calculated and compared with all of the other pigeons in the race to determine which animal returned at the highest speed.

Fancy pigeon refers to any breed of domestic pigeon, which is a domesticated form of the wild rock dove. They are bred by pigeon fanciers for various traits relating to size, shape, color, and behavior, and often exhibited at pigeon shows, fairs and other livestock exhibits.


The tippler is a breed of domestic pigeon bred to participate in endurance competitions. Flying results of up to 22 hours (non-stop) have been reported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domestic pigeon</span> Small domesticated bird

The domestic pigeon is a pigeon subspecies that was derived from the rock dove or rock pigeon. The rock pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics. Pigeons were most likely domesticated in the Mediterranean at least 2000–5000 years ago, and may have been domesticated earlier as a food source. Research suggests that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatz Roller</span> Breed of pigeon

The Galatz Roller or Galați Roller is a domesticated pigeon breed originating in Galați County, Romania. Because these pigeons perform air acrobatics when they fly, they became very popular among pigeon fanciers in both the country of origin and the rest of Europe, especially in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. The air acrobatics that these Galați Roller birds perform are comparable to those of the Oriental Roller and Birmingham Roller pigeons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">English Pouter</span> Breed of pigeon

The English Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. English Pouters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. A breed with an enlarged crop, their distinctiveness was described by Charles Darwin in The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication (1868).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Owl pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The African Owl is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. They originated in Tunisia (Africa), and were imported into England during the 19th century. The breed is known for its short beak, which gives the breed the "Owl" name due to the size and shape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham Roller</span> Breed of pigeon

The Birmingham Roller is a breed of domesticated roller pigeon that originated in Birmingham, England. They were developed via selective breeding, for their ability to do rapid backward somersaults while flying.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Komorn Tumbler</span> Breed of pigeon

The Komorn Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. The breed has American and European varieties that are recognized as separate breeds at shows with classes catering for American Komorner Tumblers and European Komorner Tumblers. Originally bred for acrobatic flying as a tumbler pigeon, Komorners are seldom free-flown today, and exist only for exhibition in pigeon shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egyptian Swift pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The Egyptian Swift is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. The name swift was given by reason of a resemblance to the bird of that name. Egyptian Swifts, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. The breed is known for its long wings and tail and its short beak. The flying Egyptian Swift is one or two inches shorter than a show Egyptian Swift.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacobin pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The Jacobin is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding that originated in Asia. Jacobins, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock pigeon. It is in the Asian feather and voice pigeon show group. The breed is known for its feathered hood over its head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squab</span> Food; young domestic pigeon, typically under four weeks old

In culinary terminology, squab is an immature domestic pigeon, typically under four weeks old, or its meat. Some authors describe it as tasting like dark chicken.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying/Sporting pigeons</span> Group of pigeon breeds

Flying/Sporting is the name of one of three main groupings of breeds of domesticated pigeons used by pigeon fanciers in the United States. The other two are Fancy and Utility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utility pigeons</span> Pigeons bred for meat

Utility pigeons are domesticated pigeons bred to be a source of meat called squab. Squabs have been used as a food in many nations for centuries. They were bred to breed and grow quickly. Because they are bred for squab production, conformation to a show standard is usually deemed unimportant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strasser pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The Strasser is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Strassers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . Apart from exhibition at pigeon shows, the breed is also used for utility purposes for producing squabs as food.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The King pigeon is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility breed. Kings along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock dove.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carneau</span> Breed of pigeon

The Carneau is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility pigeon. Carneau, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The breed is known for large size and suitability for squab production. White Carneau pigeons are extensively used in experiments on operant conditioning; most of the pigeons used in B. F. Skinner's original work on schedules of reinforcement were White Carneaux.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nun pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The Nun is a breed of fancy pigeon developed through many years of selective breeding. It was known as the Dutch Shell Pigeon in continental Europe. Nuns, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The Nun is one of the oldest breeds and was originally a flying tumbler before being developed for exhibition. It is a mostly white breed, with a hood of feathers, which gives the name to the breed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal fancy</span> Hobby regarding pets or domestic animals

Animal fancy is a hobby involving the appreciation, promotion, or breeding of pet or domestic animals.

References

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  4. ↑ Levi, Wendell (1965). Encyclopaedia of Pigeon Breeds. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN   0-910876-02-9.
  5. ↑ Hiatt, Shannon; Esposito, DVM, Jon (2000). The Pigeon Guide. Port Perry, Ontario: Silvio Mattacchione and Company. p. 18. ISBN   1-895270-18-9.
  6. ↑ "VDT Online" (in German). Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  7. ↑ "VDT Online" (in German). Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  8. ↑ Crighton, Ryan. "Lifelong dream comes true for pigeon fancier". The Press and Journal. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  9. ↑ Judge, Chris. "Rocky enjoys national win" (Web news). Fenland Citizen. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  10. ↑ Wingrove, Josh. "Brazilian prisoners use pigeons to get high". GlobeLife (June 27, 2009). Archived from the original on 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  11. ↑ McClary, Douglas (1999). Pigeons for Everyone. Great Britain: Winckley Press. ISBN   0-907769-28-4.
  12. ↑ Wendell (1977) 507
  13. ↑ Wendell (1977) 537
  14. ↑ Wendell (1977) 524
  15. ↑ Wendell (1977) 522
  16. 1 2 Castoro, Paul L. & Guhl, A. M. "Pairing Behavior of Pigeons Related To Aggressiveness and Territory". The Wilson Bulletin. 70 (1): 57–69. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  17. ↑ "On The Waterfront (1954) Overview" (Web article). Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  18. ↑ Saunders, Zina. "Rooftop Pigeon Coop Guys". Overlooked New York. Archived from the original (Web article) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  19. ↑ "Melody's description of the exhibition on her website". Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
  20. ↑ Wendell (1977) 475
  21. ↑ Tegetmeier, William (1868). Pigeons: their structures, varieties,habits and management. London: George Rutledge and Sons. p. 38. Archived from the original on 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  22. ↑ Schiere, Hans; van der Hoek, Rein (2001). Livestock keeping in urban areas: a review of traditional technologies based on literature and field experiences. FAO animal production and health paper. Vol. 151. Food and Agriculture Organization. p. 29. ISBN   978-92-5-104575-6. Archived from the original on 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  23. ↑ Bolla, Gerry (2007). "Squab raising" (PDF). New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
  24. ↑ Aggrey, S.E.; Cheng, K.M. (1993). "Genetic and Posthatch Parental Influences on Growth in Pigeon Squabs". Journal of Heredity . 84 (3): 184–187. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a111314.
  25. 1 2 3 Bourke, Stephen; Boyd,Gavin (1997). "Pigeon fancier's lung" (Web Article). BMJ. 315 (7100): 70–71. doi:10.1136/bmj.315.7100.70. PMC   2127076 . PMID   9240034. Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  26. ↑ "Pigeon Lung". British Pigeon Fanciers Medical Research. Archived from the original (Web Article) on 2007-12-31. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  27. ↑ Holt, Peter Malcolm (1986). The Age of the Crusades: The Near East from the Eleventh Century to 151. Addison Wesley Longman Limited. p. 123. ISBN   9781317871521. Archived from the original on 2016-05-20. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  28. ↑ Robespierre, Charlotte (2001). Memoirs. Adamant Media Corporation. ISBN   0543909700
  29. ↑ Heidi S. Swinton, To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2010)
  30. ↑ "Pigeon Crisis For Ferguson". Union of European Football Associations (UEFA.com). 16 May 2003. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  31. ↑ "80 facts about The Queen". Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  32. ↑ Cockcroft, Lucy. "Queen gives racing pigeons to juvenile prison". Telegraph UK. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved 2008-08-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  33. ↑ "Rolling pigeons a rewarding hobby" . Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  34. ↑ "Buckley's career takes flight | Portadown Times". Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-07-02.

Bibliography

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