Mary Allen
Stress reduction, employment with animals, and insights into biological processes. In short: experience the fascination of pigeons anew every day. This is what drives pigeon fanciers. It’s a hobby for everyone. Swiss pigeons provide valuable support.
For pigeon breeders, it has long been clear: there is no better and more meaningful hobby than working with pigeons. It doesn’t matter whether you choose one of the several hundred different show pigeons, the acrobats of the air, the so-called flying pigeons, or even the “poor man’s racehorse”, the carrier pigeon. Pigeons exude a very special charm, which their breeders are mostly addicted to in a positive sense. It is this extraordinary fascination that you can only understand once you have experienced it.
Of course, animal husbandry has a special place among leisure activities. Anyone who decides to breed and keep animals must be aware that they are responsible for the care of the animals entrusted to them. When I was a child, my grandfather literally drilled into me that he could go to the fridge at any time, but not his pigeons and chickens. They depend on him bringing them food and fresh water. When he came home, the first step was to look after the animals.
In Order to be Close to Humans, Pigeons Give up Part of Their Freedom
It was a delight to see the hens running to the fence to greet their owner and the pigeons on the roof taking flight just seeing the car coming. Only when everything was taken care of did my grandfather sit down at the table for dinner. These impressions were so formative and above all understand that I am doing the same thing today.
Among all domestic animals, the pigeon in its variants occupies a special position. Because while one can assume that the majority of the archetypes of domestic animals were tamed by humans, the pigeon has joined humans voluntarily. To this day, the pigeon is the pet that can be kept in freedom and does not leave “its” people. Pigeons are really looking for a relationship with humans. They approach people and voluntarily give up part of their independence. So it’s a give and takes that pigeons and humans agreed to thousands of years ago. In the first place it was the valuable fertilizer and one or the other delicious roast, today it is mainly the joy of dealing with the creature “pigeon” and all its positive qualities.
The Useful Thought is no Longer Dominant
However, one must not overlook the fact that the changed living conditions of us humans made this change possible in the first place. A hundred years ago, our ancestors would have had very little to do with today’s partially distorted view of the earlier “use” of pigeons. Here, despite all the joy in beauty and, to a limited extent, in the occupation, the idea of utility was in the foreground.
Let us be glad that a change has taken place here. It makes it possible for people to deal with pigeons who previously could not have done so. Unfortunately, pigeons no longer belong on a farm like they did decades ago. Since everyone knew that there are different breeds of pigeons. Today, the level of awareness is mostly limited to carrier pigeons and the sometimes hated city pigeons. But it is precisely the show pigeons that represent a special piece of human cultural history, regardless of whether you live in the country or in the city. While the color and shape pigeons were mostly to be found in the rural areas, the bottlenose dolphins, which were characterized by their flying game, dominated in the cities.
Today that has long changed and the breeds have found widespread everywhere. Nevertheless, pigeon breeding and keeping have increasingly turned into a leisure activity, which unfortunately is practiced in a niche. She is no longer ubiquitous. For these reasons alone, it is much more difficult to get new people interested in the hobby. You only like what you know! This also applies without restriction to pigeon breeding. The many beautiful small animal facilities are a perfect advertising opportunity and are popular with the public. Perhaps the desire to keep pigeons has already developed in some people. Much may speak for and some against.
Show Pigeons Switzerland Enables Financially Worry-Free Pigeon Breeding
Race pigeons Switzerland as an umbrella organization has now developed a concept that at least lets the financial aspect move into the background. Those interested in pigeon breeding are now given the opportunity to “lease” a pigeon loft and aviary built according to the latest animal welfare requirements from Swiss pigeons. If the pigeon breeding is stopped, the pigeon loft must be given back. However, if pigeon breeding has become a fulfilling pastime, the facility can be retained and becomes the ultimate property of the breeder.
Especially for young people, this offer offers the necessary support if the parents are not fully behind the cause or cannot provide the necessary help. This gives everyone the opportunity to breed pigeons if they want to. Undoubtedly a great idea that Swiss pigeons have developed here, and which will certainly provide the necessary impetus. A huge number of animals and ample space are not necessary for pigeon breeding. A pigeon breeder can be successfully operated with little space.
If you are interested as a reader but don’t know the pigeon scene, that’s no problem. The representatives for pigeons in the local clubs are the first point of contact. In addition, there are Swiss pigeons and, last but not least, a visit to an exhibition offers a first insight into the world of pigeons. On 21./22. The Swiss National Pigeon Show takes place in Bulle FR on December 1st. With almost 4000 animals on display, you can really immerse yourself in the variety of pigeons. You will be amazed at how different the exterior of pigeons can be. Here you can make initial contacts or take a non-binding look at the scene.