Mary Allen
Full of admiration, breeders look up to colleagues who have been at the top with their breed for years or even decades. It is usually no secret that leads to this. There are several factors that contribute to this. First and foremost are husbandry and genetics.
The saying comes up again and again that you can’t make a canary out of a sparrow. This means that the basics must already be in place in order to breed a top animal. Nevertheless, the impression arises that there are breeders who can do just about anything. It doesn’t matter what breed or color they breed. Within a very short time, they can also be found here at the top. Others, on the other hand, who have been trying for years, are just not getting anywhere. It can be tricky. So it seems high time to get to the bottom of the matter.
Show pigeons are breeding forms. With them, certain breed characteristics are bred that cannot be found in the original form of all show pigeons, the rock pigeon. A look at the rock pigeon shows how incredibly diverse breed pigeons are. Rock pigeons look more or less like blue city pigeons with black bars. There is nothing to be seen of special coloring, slippers, crests, piebalds, shorter or longer beaks. These are all forms caused by mutations. The fact that this is the case with show pigeons indicates a very loose gene structure.
A Studbook is Important
Horses, for example, are much more constant here, which is reflected in their uniform appearance alone. If you then consider that more than 98 percent of the genetic background is the same for all pigeon breeds, it gets interesting. This means that less than two percent ensure that the breeds of the breeders are fundamentally different in appearance and character. So they are not that different after all.
Inbreeding practice, therefore, all-breed characteristics have arisen through selection, since the genetics are pretty much the same. Even within a race. As a result, successful breeders manage to steer the genetics of their pigeons in a controlled manner and to select accordingly. This means that they manage to recognize exactly which pigeons are useful for breeding. The basis for this is for most of them a detailed studbook with detailed records.
There are also breeders who don’t use it at all and are still at the top with their breed. They keep their breeding stock the same every year and remove those animals from breeding that they consider unsuitable. It can be difficult that within a short time you no longer know where this or that animal came from. If this is to work, a larger quantity is required. In a smaller stock, this only works in the long term with studbook keeping, whereby this means a maximum of six breeding pairs.
This is exactly where the success of many breeders lies. They know exactly how each breed characteristic is inherited. This requires a lot of experience. Everyone who is active in pigeon breeding knows that there is always something to learn. It makes sense to describe the parent animals precisely and the offspring as well. Then, within a very short time, a list is created that reveals how this or that characteristic is inherited. This is an advantage that should not be underestimated in practice. Finally, these findings are useful for both positive and negative characteristics.
This makes it clear that you can advance very quickly inbreeding. For example, if you have knowledge about the inheritance of the bandages in breed «X», you can easily transfer them to breeds «Y» and «Z». That’s pretty much how it works with every racial trait. But there are not only perfect pigeons inbreeding. However, breeders want to improve them, and this is where selection comes into play again. She is the key to success. Ambitious breeders are extremely consistent here. It’s better to have one fewer pair than just put a few more pairs together. The really good offspring almost always come from very few couples.
Anatomical Knowledge is an Advantage
Another component of genetics can be crossing different colors to get ahead. However, it is important to differentiate between the genetic basis of color varieties and the corresponding exhibition quality. The fact that some colors look as desired has to do with selection again. It is a relief that today there are many specialist books on inheritance available. However, only a very small part of the breeders understands this literature. In addition, there are many untruths and so-called specialists in circulation. Among them are many who do not bring top animals to the shows. The interplay of genetic knowledge and breeding practice promises success.
Crossing foreign breeds should only be reserved for real specialists. Due to the genetic proximity, almost everything works. But it is important to have the goal clearly in mind and then to select accordingly. Anatomical knowledge is a huge advantage here. It goes without saying that the most accurate stud bookkeeping is necessary for this. Breeders also have to admit to themselves if it didn’t work. It is precisely then that selection is indispensable. Otherwise, a breed can be driven to the wall within a very short time.
The Attitude Has to be Right
Finally, there is the aspect of posture. Successful breeders keep their pigeons ideal, which means not only appropriate to the species but above all to the breed. A fantail needs a different environment than a trumpet pigeon or a smooth-footed colored pigeon. A pigeon with a light eye rim is to be kept differently than a pigeon with a red-eye rim. The breeder has to figure out how to ideally keep a breed. There is no magic formula. However, everyone must bear in mind that their general conditions determine the breed. Otherwise, comprehensive conversion measures are indispensable. A successful breeder does that.
What is always essential is sufficient space. Only then can the plumage develop ideally. This is the guarantee that a pigeon can look perfect. A regular bath and close observation of the condition of the feathers are a must. This also includes breed-specific feed including any feed additives.
At least now it becomes clear that successful breeders do more than others. Quite apart from the elaborate preparation for the exhibition.