Content
End pigeons are a group of high-flying subspecies that differ from other varieties by their unusual flight technique. Birds are more likely to end up than fly, which formed the basis of the name. By 2019, there are very few end pigeons left and the number of purebred representatives of the breed is steadily declining.
Distinctive features of end pigeons
End pigeons are distinguished from other breeds by the following characteristics:
- the body of the bird has a characteristic slope of 45 ° С;
- the average length of adults is 35-40 cm;
- the head is oblong, rounded;
- beak of medium or small size, the tip is slightly bent down;
- the neck is strong, magnificently feathered;
- the chest is well developed;
- the tail is strong, large;
- plumage is rigid, feathers fit snugly to the body;
- the skin of the legs is reddish.
The color of end pigeons is represented by a large color palette: there are both monochromatic black and white representatives, as well as variegated individuals. This variety does not differ in beauty, but end pigeons were not bred as a decorative subspecies. These are birds that are judged for their flying qualities.
Years of end pigeons
The homeland of end pigeons is Ukraine, the first representatives were bred in the Nikolaev region. It is believed that the steppe climate of this region was the reason that the pigeons developed a rather unusual style of flight, using the force of gusts of wind.
The years of end pigeons can be characterized as follows:
- The bird takes off quickly and almost vertically, after which it sharply folds its wings and seems to fall down, which formed the basis of the English name for butt pigeons - "tucherez". Thanks to this feature of takeoff, they rise from small platforms with an area of about 4 m2.
- End pigeons fly easily, without noise. They are supported in the air by strong winds and updrafts, allowing them to float effortlessly above the ground.
- During the flight, the bird holds its wings parallel to the surface of the earth and spreads its plumage in one plane. The wings are thrown forward to the maximum length, while the tail is slightly lowered and just as wide spread.
- Due to the fact that the pigeon keeps the tail slightly lowered, it seems as if it is flying at an angle and as if it sits on the tail.
- The end pigeon lands at an angle of 90 ° C.
- Despite the fact that the doves in the flock soar into the air together, in the sky they prefer to separate and keep one by one.
A slightly different flight pattern is observed in the Zaporozhye population of the Nikolaev breed, which even served as the basis for the separation of these pigeons into a separate breed. The bird flies without a circle, alternately using the right and the left wing. Such a flying drawing was nicknamed "merry".
In strong winds, the butt pigeon stays in the sky for 1-1.5 hours, but regular training increases the endurance of the birds. A competently trained pigeon can withstand flights of 8-9 hours.
End pigeon breeds
The ancestors of high-flying end pigeons were individuals brought by Ukrainian sailors from Greece. The first purebred representatives of the face variety were bred in the Nikolaev region, hence the name of the species - Nikolaev end pigeons.For a long time, the distribution area was limited to Ukraine, but ultimately the new species found recognition in Russia, where they began to actively breed them. Officially, the end subspecies of pigeons was registered in 1910.
It is customary to distinguish between two breeds of pigeons with a front flight pattern: Nikolaevskie and Kirovograd Lilac. They differ from each other not only in appearance, but also in the characteristics of the summer.
A typical Nikolaev pigeon looks like this:
- these are medium-sized birds, the body length of an adult does not exceed 40 cm;
- the landing is low, the physique is moderately developed, slightly elongated;
- chest strong, muscular and slightly raised;
- the neck is somewhat short;
- the back is straight and wide;
- the wings do not adhere to the body, but close when folded, their length corresponds to the length of the tail;
- when the pigeon folds its wings, their lower part lies on the tail;
- the head of birds is narrow, slightly elongated and small, in proportion to the size of the body;
- the plumage of the head is smooth;
- the beak is thin and long, small in size;
- the wax is light, almost white;
- the eyelids are beige;
- the eyes are small, the color of the iris is determined by the color of the plumage: in white individuals, the eyes are dark brown, in variegated pigeons, the iris is golden, etc.;
- the tail is wide and long, flowing smoothly into the back;
- feathers of Nikolaev pigeons are elastic, wide;
- on the legs of the birds there is no plumage and down, they are naked;
- the color of the legs is brown with a reddish tint, the color of the claws is lighter, and it largely depends on the plumage: in white pigeons, claws are flesh-colored, in variegated ones - gray;
- It is difficult to name a typical color, Nikolaev pigeons come in almost all shades - there are red, ash, black, blue, white and variegated colors of plumage;
- on the chest and neck of a pigeon, regardless of color, there should be a metallic sheen.
Kirovograd Lilacs are much smaller than their counterparts, but outwardly attractive - the birds are distinguished by their graceful posture and grace. In addition, the Kirovograd end pigeons are quite playful.
Description of the Kirovograd breed is as follows:
- the body length of a pigeon is on average 30 cm, at least 32, larger individuals are discarded;
- the head is small, but proportional to the size of the body;
- eyes are light, almost white;
- short beak;
- the chest is well developed and muscular, but there is a small dent in the center;
- when the pigeon folds its wings, their ends are almost flush with the end of the tail;
- plumage of the breed is dense;
- the color of the plumage can be very different, as in the Nikolaev end pigeons: blue, black, red, white, yellow or variegated.
Like the Nikolaev breed, the Kirovograd Lilacs are rare today.
Content of end pigeons
The maintenance of end pigeons is not particularly difficult, and the Kirovograd and Nikolaev breeds can be bred even by amateur beginners. The simplicity of caring for birds is due to their unpretentiousness and ability to easily adapt to almost any conditions of keeping - even low temperatures in the winter months do not have any serious effect on butt pigeons. In addition, birds develop rapidly and reach sexual maturity in the shortest possible time. The type and quality of feed also does not really matter; butt pigeons are picky about the choice of food.
The advantages of the species include good fertility, and this is what becomes the determining factor for buying in most cases. Nikolaev pigeons are more popular, as they are quieter than Kirovograd pigeons.The females of these pigeons incubate their eggs on their own; they do not need to be watched, as with the Kirovograd Sirenevs. The only condition for keeping end pigeons is that birds need a spacious aviary for full development. It is strictly forbidden to keep them in the apartment.
The flock room must be clean, dry and free of drafts. From time to time, the aviary is disinfected. For the winter, it is recommended to organize the separate keeping of females and males, they are combined in February. In such conditions, they get offspring already in April.
End pigeons are fed 2 times a day. Despite the fact that the species is unpretentious and undemanding to nutrition, it is never superfluous to feed the birds with mineral supplements. It is better to include light feeds that are easy to digest in the diet of the end breed. In its most general form, pigeon nutrition consists of the following products:
- oats;
- corn grits;
- peas;
- juicy food;
- greens.
Chicks are fed more often than adults - 3 times a day. In the first weeks of life, it is better to give corn grits, greens are introduced later. All new feeds and food additives are introduced into the diet gradually so as not to stress the digestive system of birds.
A feature of the content of the end subspecies is early training. If you do not start training the birds in time, they subsequently develop defects in summer, they will also be less hardy and will not be able to stay in the air for a long time.
Chicks are trained starting from 6-7 weeks, without skipping. Timed workouts are organized in the morning. Night flights are tried with each bird individually, not a flock. At the same time, you do not have to worry if suddenly someone does not return on time. In strong wind or rain, birds often fly long distances, but then invariably return home, this takes no more than 3-4 days on average.
Conclusion
End pigeons are birds with an unusual flight pattern, which are not found as often as before. The number of the breed is gradually decreasing, there are very few purebred individuals. If no action is taken, the breed will go into extinct status.
