Uzbek pigeons are known around the world for their incredible beauty, special flying qualities, friendliness. They stand out for their color and flying style. Due to their peculiar qualities, pigeons were called “fighting” or flight-playful. These birds are in demand not only in their native Uzbekistan, but also in other countries, despite the fact that maintaining them is not cheap.
Breed history
Little is known from the history of this breed of birds. In Central Asia at the beginning of the 15-16 centuries. spread Iranian breeds - Bii. In 1890, after the war with the Kurds, they ended up in Andijan. According to the current version, several pigeon families moved to Uzbekistan with an Iranian pigeon breeder. He continued his beloved business in a new place. And the poultry farmers from Andijan crossed Iranian birds with their breeds. The bred variety was called Andijan.
The ancestors of modern “Uzbeks” from Turkey and Iran were first seen in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, only in the 20th century they began to be bred in Uzbekistan.
Subsequently, the Uzbek breeders conducted a long work, as a result of which they brought out birds with a recognizable appearance. Crossings were carried out between imported breeds and short-billed local birds. For the first time, the International community got acquainted with Uzbek pigeons in the 70s, in Bulgaria. In 1986, the breed standard was developed, and two decades later, the assessment of flight qualities was supplemented.
Types of Uzbek pigeons
Modern Uzbek pigeons are medium-sized birds (33–37 cm long) with a strong dry physique, a wide and convex chest. Their body is set low, the neck is curved, the wings are long and closed above the tail. The plumage is dense, the color varies depending on the species.
There are several dozen color options for pigeons. Particular attention is paid to the shape of the head - it is small, rounded, the forehead is wide. Not all varieties, but have sideburns, forelocks and other elements of the "hairstyle". The eyes of pigeons are quite large, pearly, black or light gray.
Regardless of color, modern "Uzbek" pigeons are represented by the main varieties. There are five of them, all are similar to each other, although they also have significant differences - in the feather cover and not only.
Types of pigeons:
- two-handed;
- nasolabial;
- forelock;
- toothless;
- short-billed.
Two-toed
The most famous breed of the country. Birds differ from their relatives by a more massive physique. Their head and legs are furry - due to this, the feathered ones seem massive. There is a crest on the back of the head covering the waxen, as well as on the frontal part of the head, right in front of the eyes. Two-tailed pigeons are militant, but recently the breed has been divided into two lines:
- slaughter;
- exhibition, endowed with decorative qualities.
It was the two-furred variety that became one of the first. Bred at the beginning of the 20th century. The basis was taken Persian breeds, pigeons from Turkey and China. Between themselves, the birds are distinguished by color and flying qualities. Coloring can be different: white without impurities, red with a dusting (black), red, saturated black, fawn and others.
Nasolabial
From the name it follows that this variety has a characteristic feather cover on the site of the beak and waxwort. It seems that part of the beak - the base of the nostrils - is hidden behind the feathers. A forelock can grow over the entire forehead, even covering your eyes. The crest is sometimes so large that the beak simply can not be found. But according to the breed standard, it should not cover the entire beak.
The size and density of a forelock at exhibitions and flight competitions is evaluated strictly. The main requirement for forelocks is their sufficient size. In this case, all existing forms of the front crest are permissible.
Nasolabia is one of the most valuable varieties of Uzbek pigeons.
Chubata
Like the two-toed brethren, these birds are called pigeon breeders. On the back of their head is a forelock. Like nasal pigeons, it looks harmonious, but it needs to be properly designed, especially before the exhibition. During shows, an artificial crest is combed to give the bird a more elegant shape. This is necessary to ensure greater external presentability.
The crest on the back of the head reaches 2 cm in height. The size may vary, but for show pigeons there are separate requirements for length and shape. It is important to know that for rocks that are designed for flight, this parameter is not as important as for decorative. However, it can influence how the pigeon will be judged, as well as his performance.
Toothless
These pigeons are the least different from ordinary urban ones. The exterior of the breed is as follows:
- the head is small;
- the neck is short;
- plumage is smooth, tufts are absent;
- the body also does not have raised feathers.
Unlike the species presented above, the feathers of these pigeons fit snugly to the body. People involved in breeding this species of birds understand that any deviation from brushlessness (the presence of any clumping areas) is a drawback. Therefore, they prefer to discard these pigeons. There are exceptions when interesting specimens of "Uzbeks" come across.
Short-billed
The appearance of these birds is assessed not by the shape and length of the feathers, the presence and absence of tufts, but by the length of the beak. Uzbekistan is paying particular attention to this parameter. A special system has been approved in the country to determine whether the beak of the bird complies with the reference parameters.
The size and length of it is inversely proportional to the value of the individual. Purebred pigeons have a beak no longer than 8 mm. In addition, the bird’s nose has its own characteristics: it is rounded, in shape similar to the beak of a parrot.
Short-billed Uzbek pigeons, as a rule, belong to exhibition specimens, although there are also ostentatious ones, i.e. flight and game.
Color options
Pigeons bred in Uzbekistan are valued for their unusual plumage. Instances with a beautiful color were always a priority. Breeders and owners of birds outside the country focused on the colors and constitution of birds.
The color of plumage of pigeons of the Uzbek breed varies, ranging from blue-black and ending with snow-white. Some varieties (op, which means “starling” and chinni) change their color during the molting process.
The standard for coloring Uzbek pigeons was developed and approved in 2002. There are dozens of possible plumages. Among them, the most famous variations:
- White (in Uzbek "ok").
- Black, raven (punishment).
- Gray (kui).
- Lilac, the bird has a belt on the body.
- Hakka. The plumage is dominated by black or bluish colors.
- Shirkhozzi or gray-brown. In all color variations on the breast there is a speck, usually white.
- Ash (oud) and silver.
- Red.
- Yellow, lemon or novatta.
- Chinny (porcelain), changing color after molting. It displays completely red or yellow, but the color changes.
- Almond (chelkar). Greyish birds mixed with black.
- Chocolate and coffee (malla and ok malla). Most often belt type.
- Krapovy or gulbadam. Bright with spots.
- Tiger (op). At birth, the plumage is black with glimpses of light shades.
- Awlaki. A special subspecies of white with splashes of various color shades.
Uzbek shaggy pigeons
Separately, the breed Shaggy-footed or space-footed pigeons is considered. The local name of these birds bred in Uzbekistan. In the last half century, birds have lost flying qualities, as breeders make the main emphasis on the decorativeness of pigeons, keep them in aviaries. Although good genetics has been preserved.
Birds are still popular in their native country. Cosmic-footed pigeons belong to live breeds, but this species is isolated. At the same time, they are both decorative and flying-game. This is the most valuable variety of "Uzbeks."
The main difference from other representatives of the "Uzbeks" is in long shaggy legs. Feathers reach a length of 10-17 cm.
Shaggy-footed pigeons are distinguished by other characteristic external signs:
- average value;
- elongated body;
- back and tail make a straight line;
- rounded or cubic shape of the head;
- wings are small;
- the beak is short;
- plumage firmly pressed to the body;
- legs have hawk feathers, the so-called “spurs” (at least 5 cm);
- The tail consists of 12 tail feathers.
Varieties of Uzbek pigeons with rare exceptions (except aulaks) are displayed in the same color. After the first or second molt, the birds acquire the color and pattern of plumage characteristic of their breed (the colors are presented above).
Some pigeons change their color to old age. Like other representatives of martial pigeons, shaggy-footed people like long flights at high altitude. They willingly perform various acrobatic stunts, fly beautifully. Long feathers on the legs make the air play more spectacular.
Standards for show shaggy birds
For decades, the breed standards of shaggy-legged Uzbek pigeons have been developed and changed. Professional poultry farmers from all over the Soviet Union made a lot of efforts to bring out pigeons that were ideal by generally accepted standards, endowed with special exterior and flying qualities.
Today, exhibitions are held annually in the country, where modern representatives of space-footed animals are demonstrated. Participants are rated on a 100-point scale according to current standards.
Exterior
The body structure of these pigeons is neat not massive, the body is slightly elongated, landing is low. The ideal parameters for exhibition birds are 32-35 cm in the body. The plumage does not intersect with the tail, literally lies on it. The neck is wide, convex, has a slightly curved shape and is stretched forward. The back and tail of birds make a straight line. There are 12 feathers in the tail. Short legs have abundant plumage.
The appearance parameter at the exhibitions is evaluated by the maximum possible five points. Among the unacceptable shortcomings: sagging wings, short shaggy legs (less than 6 cm), the head is elongated. Such pigeons are not rated.
Points (1-2) can be removed for:
- the mismatch of the length of the body laid 32 cm;
- loose plumage;
- medium foot length.
Plumage color
The color of feathers of shaggy pigeons is of great variety, and this is one of the features of this breed. According to some estimates, shaggy "Uzbeks" have up to 80 types of plumage. All of them are divided into main color groups, which are four:
- white
- one-color or one-colored.
- multi-colored.
- half-length.
The color of plumage is one of the most difficult elements to perfect. Breed standards are rated with a maximum of 10 points. They are given if the plumage meets the parameters and has the necessary luster. The absence of the latter is minus 1-2 points. When the color differs from the standard, remove up to 5 points.
Judges evaluate birds differently depending on color. For example, instead of color, white doves look at additional elements: a mustache, eyebrows or whiskers. In the group of waistbands for coloring the belt, you can get up to 5 points.
Beak
The breeder (and participant) can get 25-20 points for evaluating this parameter - for individuals of white color and multi-colored. Additional points are awarded for the beak directed downward, concentrated flush with the forehead in a single vertical line. The requirements for the size of the beak are increased for birds of white plumage, since these parameters are better developed for most.
To correctly measure the beak, it is necessary to find the distance from its tip to the intersection of the border of the nostrils and the surface line of the area above the beak. The main criteria are:
- size up to 3 cm;
- low landing and deflection;
- noticeable width;
- thickness;
- correspondence to the white plumage - a white beak (for other colors there may be a gray tint).
Eyes
On a five-point scale, such a parameter is evaluated as the shape and color of the eyes of shaggy-footed pigeons. The requirements are as follows:
- noticeable, expressive, fairly large eyes;
- white doves have black eyes;
- multi-colored birds - silvery, light gray or blue shades;
- pupils are round in shape, located in the center of the eye.
The disadvantages of the breed are manifested if the eyes have a reddish border, for this they remove up to 5 points. Birds with a yellow border do not participate in exhibitions at all. If the pupil has an irregular shape or is displaced from the center, you can lose up to 2 points, if the eyes are smaller than the set - 2.5 points to white doves and 0.5 with a different color. Disagreement is unacceptable.
Eyelids
This parameter is no less important than the shape and color of the eyes. The eyelids of pigeons should be large and open, the skin on them - soft, white. For ideal (by the standards of the jury) eyelids, a bird can get 5 extra points. Cases where the eyelids are small are considered an acceptable disadvantage. Rough eyelids, painted in different shades - black, red, yellowish, are unacceptable.
Head
Shaggy pigeons should have a wide round or faceted head. A cool forehead. For compliance with all requirements, you can earn from 20 to 25 points (color and white breeds). In addition, 2 points are added for the presence of whiskers in the plumage or the so-called mustache. The disadvantages of the breed are:
- noticeably narrow head;
- its clearly elongated shape.
Forelocks
In this position, two species of birds are evaluated: those with a forelock above their beak (nose-teeth) or two forelocks (two-armed). Pigeons are allowed to have several forms of forelocks on their heads - both front and back. The main requirement for both is their sufficient size. The greater the plumage at the back of the head, the more valuable the individual. For compliance with all parameters, you can earn 15 points. This score is made up of points for the rear and front forelocks (7 and 8 points, respectively).
If a species of prickly pigeons is considered, the presence of a forelock in the form of a wide cap that does not distort the shape of the head is acceptable.
Pigeons are not suitable for exhibitions, the front forelock of which resembles a horn, and the rear is pointed or directed sideways. Possible disadvantages in this parameter are:
- small forelock size;
- difference in form from the accepted standard (up to 7.5 points are taken away from the nasolabs and up to 4 from the two-lipped).
Spurs
The main requirement for pigeon spurs is their harmonious combination with shaggy legs. They should converge at almost one point - in the area of the undertail. By standards, ideal spurs are long and blend in with the plumage. In this position, you can get 5 points. Half of the points earned will be removed if the spurs are shorter than 5 cm. Shaggy pigeons with no spurs or their length less than 4 cm are not evaluated at all.
Voskovitsa
A pronounced, slightly swollen and wide should be a pigeon’s wax - a thickening near the beak. By standards, it fits snugly to the head. For compliance, the shaggy-legged participant gets 5 points and loses half points if the wax is not long and does not heave. Unacceptable disadvantages: rough and rough surface of this skin area.
Shit
The most thoroughly evaluated are the suckers of a space-footed pigeon - leg plumage. According to the rules, it should consist of at least three layers of feathers and have a fan-shaped shape. The ideal length of shreds is 10 cm and above. They should completely cover their fingers. Resolved flaws:
- shaggy 9 cm (minus 1 point);
- shaggy 8 cm (minus 2 points);
- less than three feather layers (up to 2 points);
- irregular shape (1-2 points).
What should be a dovecote?
Uzbek pigeons do not have special maintenance requirements.The main task of the pigeon breeder is to create comfortable living conditions for the birds and monitor the cleanliness of the home. The first thing to start with is to arrange a place for birds to live.
The dovecote should be warm, spacious (to allow nesting), protected from predators, and also convenient for cleaning and other preventive maintenance. Pigeons can vary in design. The most common ones are presented below.
Ground
A nursery-poultry house or a dovecote-aviary is a typical building, the construction of which is reduced to the erection of a vertical element that limits the space on the sides, and the roof. Exterior design, bird houses, aviary size is selected based on the wishes of the owner and the number of individuals. Typical dovecotes are built on 12 pairs of birds. But spaciousness can be any.
Ground dovecotes are the most complex in execution. During construction, it is necessary to take into account such parameters as:
- The volume required for a comfortable stay is not less than 1 cubic meter. m for one pair.
- The area of the windows is at least 0.1 of the area of the floor covering.
- Room height from 1.5 to 1.9 m.
- Two doors - external and internal for ventilation in the warm season.
Attic
Owners of private houses prefer this type of construction. If there is a suitable place in the attic, it is advantageous and convenient to arrange a pigeon dwelling. The benefit is that you don’t have to carry out a large amount of work, because the existing room is used. The advantages of the loft dovecote are obvious:
- Simplicity of construction.
- Easy accessibility.
Inside, the breeder equips the home in accordance with typical poultry houses. The allocated area is delimited by wire mesh, boards or plywood sheets. And the outer side of the attic is built under the range of birds. The box is built from a grid.
If necessary, the room is insulated, for example, when the dovecote is not in a residential building, which warms up in winter, but, for example, in a barn. Shaggy pigeons are thermophilic, since their homeland is warm countries. It is important to take this point into account and take care of winterizing the winter home.
Mounted
The simplest and most economical dovecote design. Usually it is used to keep a small number of individuals, up to 3-4 pairs of birds. What is this dwelling in its simplest execution? A box of the required size, suspended on a ridge, pediment of a private house or other structure (shed, garage, manor buildings). The main rule is to set the box high enough - 0.5 m below the highest point of the roof - so that predators do not reach the birds.
Mounted pigeons are suitable for beginner pigeon breeders, but it is not always possible to successfully breed expensive thoroughbred birds in them (and shaggy pigeons are quite whimsical) due to the presence of design flaws. Among them:
- capacity limit;
- difficulties in controlling the life of birds (growth of chicks or the ability to clean);
- climatic conditions inside the house differ little from natural;
- lack of an aviary;
- danger of penetration from outside.
Tower type
Practical, although difficult to implement, is the tower structure, also built on the ground. The shape of the dovecote has an even number of faces (4, 6, 8) or is made in the form of a sphere. The height of the house is from 4 meters in height, the building is multi-layered. The lower tier can be designed as a warehouse of inventory or feed, the subsequent floors to equip for pigeons. Each floor has access to the outside and access from the inside.
Pigeon towers are usually chosen by experienced breeders. The construction of such a structure is expensive, but fully justifies itself.
Advantages of this design:
- safety;
- protection against predators;
- the ability to provide the necessary space for birds;
- easy access for the owners.
Pigeon content
As pets and objects of close attention of breeders, Uzbek pigeons need proper maintenance and daily care. Only a healthy and happy bird is able to please the owner with its external data and beautiful flights, as well as take pride of place at exhibitions.
The necessary conditions
The well-being and breeding of domestic pigeons lie entirely on the host. If the content is good, the birds live on average 15-20 years and give birth to about ten years of age. This breed is peaceful. A large number of individuals get along in one spacious aviary. But each bird needs its own personal space. Therefore, pigeons provide their place - a nest, a pole.
To justify the costs, it is recommended to observe the following conditions for keeping pigeons:
- Exclude drafts. The floors in the dovecote should be without cracks, covered with sawdust, and the walls are strong.
- Airing. If there are few windows, you can make a ventilation system.
- The optimum room temperature is 20 degrees. At a higher risk there are ticks and other parasites in the dovecot.
- Illumination Windows or lamps should give birds the necessary amount of light.
- Do not forget about disinfection. The owner of the dovecote should take into account the fact that toxic preparations for birds are prohibited.
- Nests need to be arranged on the bedding, which can be used straw, hay, felt. Sometimes nests are cut from a thick piece of foam.
- The size of the nests is from 20 to 25 cm in diameter, up to 8 cm deep.
- It is important to ensure the safety of poultry by restricting contact with wild pigeons and other birds (for example, sparrows that carry various diseases).
Cleanliness
Uzbek pigeons, especially a variety of shag-legged ones, need cleanliness. Cleaning the pigeon needs to be done daily. Up to three times a year to do a general cleaning, evicting birds during this time from their homes. In the absence of birds, it is necessary to thoroughly wash all the feeders, drinking bowls, dousing them with boiling water with a solution of soda, wash the walls and flooring from dirt. The litter is also being replaced.
Floors in the home of shaggy-footed birds must be cleaned daily, cleaning from litter and dust.
During the cleaning, special attention is paid to the swimming pool, since the "Uzbeks" are very fond of water procedures. And not only in the warm season, but also in winter. They also drink water from the bath, so it is important to ensure that it is fresh in the bath, to change it after the bathing process.
The appearance of the birds must also be monitored. This applies not only to cleanliness, but also to the health of birds. The owner must monitor the presence of parasites, timely quarantining sick pigeons. It is enough to inspect a pair of pigeons to prevent the spread of ticks.
Feeding Uzbek Pigeons
Wild birds feed on grain, grass, and plant seeds. This is the optimal diet. Households need to provide similar nutrition when calculating from 20 to 35 g of feed per day.
It is recommended to include products such as:
- barley or barley - 40% of the total volume on average;
- wheat (millet) - up to 30%;
- corn, legumes, sunflower seeds, oatmeal - about 10%;
- millet - 10%;
- greens (cabbage, sorrel, etc.) - 10%.
In the summer, pigeons feed three times a day, and in the winter they have enough two meals a day. Feeding differs by season (more vitamins in the cold season, fresh feed in the summer), in addition, depending on the availability of feed, its composition in a particular region may vary.
The menu sometimes includes foods such as peas, fresh vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese. Some breeders select individual food for each individual separately. Great attention is paid to thoroughbred exhibition birds, and rightly so.
Breeding and breeding
Breeding pigeons occurs in the spring, although winter breeding is quite acceptable, if the birds are not overworked during the summer or after the chicks are hatched. Everything must be prepared in advance for breeding at the pigeon breeder - the aviary is cleaned, the skeletons for nests are installed. But the selection of a partner is the main condition. Birds select it on their own, but when it comes to show individuals, selection can be made artificially.
In a year, the female can make up to three clutches, 2 eggs each.
After mating, 7-8 days pass, and the female lays eggs, as a rule, two with a pause of 1-2 days. When the first one appeared, it is recommended to hide it in a protected warm place, replacing it with a fake. And only then attach to the second. The pigeon breeder carefully watches the process. He must make sure that the dove is in the nest and hatches two eggs at the same time. The average duration of hatching is 4 weeks, during which you do not need to disturb the birds once again. Nests are checked in their absence.
When the chicks appeared, they do not require special care. The pigeon couple will take care of the kids. At the age of one month, pigeons begin to be fed with millet and other finely divided grain. In order to prevent young animals need to mix antibiotics into the food, as well as monitor for the presence of parasites and vaccinate on time.
Buying and selling pigeons
Uzbek pigeons are highly valued in their historical homeland in Central Asia, and are not in special demand in Russia. Finding a good collection of Uzbek slaughter, especially two-handed pigeons is a rarity. It is advisable to purchase thoroughbred birds from trusted people in a specialized nursery. Also, buying and selling is carried out at fairs, trade shows. You can find ads on the Internet. But it’s hard to be sure of the quality of such a product.
The cost of thoroughbred birds is as follows:
- The price of Uzbek pigeons starts from 1,500 rubles.
- For shaggy-footed people they will have to give twice as much - 3000.
Interesting Facts
The name of the breed of Uzbek war pigeons came, presumably, from the incomparable flight style of these birds. In the air, pigeons flip over their tail, striking their wings against each other. It turns out a click, the so-called "battle". It is clearly audible even at a great distance.
In flight, birds love to make pirouettes. Their game is diverse, the most valuable is the “pillar” game, when the dove interrupts the horizontal flight abruptly goes up. They can go up several meters, turning over up to 15 times. Sometimes a bird flies up and stretches its legs forward, fingering them, as if they are climbing stairs. This is called rowing.
Beautiful and fast Uzbek pigeons will delight their hosts with excellent flying qualities and appearance. If you want to breed them, anyone can, these birds are very whimsical, but viable. Pigeons need to provide comfortable living and breeding conditions, and for this, breeders will need some knowledge and skills.
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