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Baku pigeons are a fighting breed bred in Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 18th century. The breeding center of the first representatives was the city of Baku.
Many are initially misled by the word "battle" in the name of this variety. It implies that birds, when taking off, emit characteristic flaps of their wings, reminiscent of clicks - they are called "fight". This is one of the main characteristics of Baku pigeons, along with summer and flight duration. The appearance of the birds and the color in Azerbaijan did not really matter, although in the end the new species still split into many subspecies with different colors and types of plumage.
History of Baku pigeons
The first mentions of Baku pigeons date back to the 18th century, when records were made in Iranian sources - then the territory of modern Azerbaijan was under the control of Persia. In the middle of the 20th century, Bakuvians were brought to Russia.
Of course, since then, the Baku breed has undergone some changes in the course of breeding work. In some subspecies, forelocks have become more noticeable, feather "boots" from the legs have disappeared, and the physique has become lighter. In addition, in our time, the breed is represented by a wide variety of colors, although initially Baku residents had several color options.
Years of pigeons of Baku people
Despite the variety of colors and types of plumage, the Baku people have a number of common features that strongly distinguish them from other breeds, including fighting breeds. First of all, it is the high flight of birds, the duration of the flight and the unique style of fighting.
Baku people fly high, sometimes hiding even from sight, and are able to stay in the air for a long time. Moreover, in terms of the flight duration, the Baku pigeons are considered champions - if you train the birds correctly, their years will be 5-12 hours, and all this time it will be accompanied by a good game. The quality of the game is assessed by how the pigeon enters the post - the bird does at least 3 somersaults with claps.
There are three types of fighting in Baku pigeons.
- Exit to the pole... A type of game in which the pigeon rises into the air almost vertically, after which it tumbles sharply, throwing its head back. This roll is accompanied by a loud flapping of wings. The height of the exit is 12-15 meters, as the pigeon rises, it makes an average of 5-6 somersaults, actively flapping its wings. This indicator is even higher among trained Bakuvians.
- Pole with screw... This type of fight is characterized by a shuttle move, but the roll is also accompanied by a click.
- Zavis battle... The game is characterized by a slow flight pace and a relaxed combat pattern. The pigeon now and then seems to hang in the air, turning over from time to time, after which it rises higher. Somersaults are relatively slow, but even with this style, they are accompanied by a pop.
The years of Baku residents are shown in the video, where pigeons demonstrate the elements of the battle:
Breed characteristics and standards
The standard of fighting pigeons of the Baku breed provides for compliance with the following characteristics:
- the physique is strong;
- medium-sized pigeon;
- the plumage is dense, dense, on the head there may be a forelock or "eyebrows";
- on the chest and neck - a purple tint, noticeable on all types of color;
- the head is elongated, with smooth plumage or forelock;
- rounded forehead;
- vertex flattened, rectangular;
- beak straight and thin, slightly curved downward at the end;
- beak color white
- the wax is weakly developed, smooth to the touch and white;
- the neck is not long, but not short either, slightly curved;
- broad shoulders;
- the back is long, descending towards the tail;
- the silhouette of the Baku people is elongated;
- long wings, lying with their ends on the tail;
- the plumage of the wings is tightly pressed against the body of the Bakuvians;
- a closed tail, consisting of 14-16 tail feathers;
- bare feet or wearing "boots" made of feathers;
- the color of the legs of various shades of red;
- claws light, almost white.
Pillar Baku residents have some drawbacks - the absence of a bend in the neck or roundness of the crown, however, a number of characteristics in a pigeon are unacceptable:
- heterochromia (different eye color);
- plumage on the fingers;
- shortened torso;
- overly protruding chest;
- drooping wings;
- tail sags, touching the ground;
- the beak is too short and thick;
- hump on the back;
- the neck is too thick;
- loose plumage.
What are the pigeons of Baku in color
Baku pigeons are distinguished by a wide variety of colors. There are birds with a monochromatic color (black, white, yellowish-brown), variegated (marble), two-colored (white with a black or red tail, white with a "neck"), gray-gray, bronze with splashes, etc. Among this variety are distinguished pigeons with smooth plumage, Baku residents with forelocks and a variety with pronounced "eyebrows", which is sometimes called gloomy.
The subspecies of the Baku breed of fighting pigeons are shown in the photo.
Baku white doves
Baku pigeons of exclusively white color are highly valued at exhibitions. They usually do not have a forelock, the head is smooth. Feathering on the legs is also absent in most cases, but there are specimens in "boots". The skin on the legs of white Baku residents is red, but the claws of the pigeons are lighter.
The constitution of white Baku pigeons is graceful, slightly elongated.
Baku pigeons with a "neck"
Baku pigeons with a "neck" are also called hryvnias. They received this name for the peculiarity of plumage - their body is mostly light, painted in white, beige or milky, there is a spot on the back of the neck, which partially extends to the sides. The color of the spot is black, brown, reddish or yellow. Sometimes the tail feathers are painted in the same color.
Regardless of the color, the "neck" of Baku residents has a bluish tint, due to which the plumage of pigeons shimmers even in low light.
The flying abilities of birds with a "neck" are no different from most other species, they are singled out into a separate group solely in appearance.
Baku residents marble doves
Baku marble pigeons are usually light in color, but interspersed with dark tones. The main color is white, light gray or milky, sometimes darker shades are found. Blotches on the body and head are black, dark gray or brown.
A feature of this subspecies is that the color of the plumage changes as the bird matures. With each molt, the color of the feathers becomes richer. The marble residents of Baku do not have a forelock, and its presence is not a disqualifying sign.
Mirror pigeons Bakuvians
Mirror Baku pigeons can be of almost any color, but there are no monochromatic ones among them.The name of this species of Baku people is based on the pattern on the wings and tail of birds - mirror-symmetrical. By the type of plumage, the mirror pigeons of Baku are smooth, without forelocks and "eyebrows".
Red and white pigeons of Baku
This is not a separate breed, but a color variant. This color option is found in black-tailed Baku pigeons, the plumage of which is represented by a white base and a black tail. Sometimes red-tailed Baku people are also found in this species, otherwise the pigeons are no different from their relatives in appearance.
Yellow pigeons of Baku
Pure yellow plumage is found only in Baku bronze pigeons, while the feathers are cast in reddish tints in the sun. Sometimes black blotches are scattered over the bodies of Baku residents.
There are also people from Baku with yellow spots among the hryvnias or pigeons with "necks".
Black pigeons of Baku
Black Baku pigeons, as well as red and white, are not distinguished into a separate breed. This color is found in many varieties, but more often black plumage is present in chili pigeons. But it is difficult to call it monochromatic - there are gray spots on the neck and chest of black Baku people, casting a greenish tint in the sun.
Pigeons baku chile
Chile or colored Baku pigeons are a motley fighting breed. The subspecies is distinguished by dense and dense plumage, including on the legs. The chest is wider than that of other Bakuvians, the body is elongated. The eyes are light, but more often yellow. The beak is straight and does not bend towards the bottom. On the head there is often a pronounced forelock, but "eyebrows" are practically not found.
The color scheme of Baku chili pigeons implies a relatively monochromatic plumage on the body and wings and a variegated head with a neck. Color combinations are very different: black color with white splashes, light base and red spots, milky body and brown head, etc. There is a gray spot on the chest and neck of chili Bakuvians, casting a purple tint in the sun. Secondary foci of variegation on the tail and wings, but the bulk is concentrated on the head and neck. The brushes on the paws are the same color as the main color of the bird.
The behavioral difference of this breed of Baku pigeons lies in the love of long solo flights. During such flights, they often go to the "post". In addition, the Chileans of Baku often do unexpected somersaults.
Other types of Baku pigeons
In addition to these, there are many small varieties of fighting pigeons. Among them, the wide-tailed or multi-feather Baku pigeons, high-flying and fighting breed of agbash are of interest.
The broad-tailed Baku people are a subspecies of pigeons, which are among the most hardy. They are able to spend 10-15 hours in the air, and this is not the limit. The musculature of birds is well developed, they have a rather powerful constitution, but at the same time they remain an outwardly attractive breed. The color of the wide-tailed Baku people is very diverse. Typical tones are white, ash and milky without splashes.
The wide-tailed Baku pigeons got their name for the peculiarities of the structure of the tail. In the unfolded state, it is similar to the tails of peacock pigeons.
High-flying individuals hardly stand out against the background of other breeds of Baku residents. The only difference is the high flight. The color of high-flying pigeons can be very different.
The Agbash breed differs from other varieties in adaptive abilities. The color of the Baku Agbash people is monochromatic, more often white, but there is also a color scheme, according to which the body of the birds is dark, and the head is light. Specimens with lush forelocks are common among representatives of the breed.
The legs of the Bakuvians of the Agbash breed are bare, occasionally with feathers.
Breeding pigeons of Baku residents
Baku pigeons are an extremely unpretentious breed that adapts to different conditions of detention. Doves sit well on the clutch and feed their chicks without any problems. For this reason, poultry farmers use them as breadwinners. Baku residents rarely fly away - they are monogamous and firmly attached to the house.
The advantages of the breed also include quick learning. Birds learn the basics of training in no time, if done correctly and not skipped. It is important to remember that each individual is individual. Baku people study different elements of combat at different times, so you shouldn't expect the same results from all birds.
A feature of the breed is that females are able to lay eggs throughout the year. If this is undesirable for the poultry farmer, items that the females use to build the nest are removed from the aviary.
Feeding Baku pigeons
It is widely believed that it is better to slightly underfeed and keep on a strict diet for Baku pigeons. It is believed that this is how birds become more docile and obey the owner better, but this statement is not supported by the facts. Therefore, poultry farmers prefer to feed Baku residents fully, but they agree on one thing - excess nutrition harms the birds. You cannot overfeed the birds.
Baku residents are fed on schedule from the first days of life. This has a beneficial effect on the state of birds' goiter - it does not stretch, but it is not empty. The chicks are fed soft foods, with an emphasis on the midday meal of the day.
The following products are suitable for feeding Baku pigeons:
- Millet... This is the basis of nutrition for Baku residents. When choosing a feed, you should pay attention to compositions with grains of a rich color - they have a particularly high concentration of vitamins and useful microelements.
- Wheat... Together with millet, this culture forms the basis of the diet of fighting Baku pigeons, but it is low in calcium. If you focus on wheat to the detriment of millet feed, you will have to additionally feed the birds with mineral supplements.
- Oats... The culture is well absorbed, but there is a lot of husk in it, so some individuals refuse to eat it.
- Barley... The grain is rich in vitamins, macro and microelements. It is recommended to crush the grains before serving to make them easier to digest.
- Corn... It is inconvenient for Baku residents to eat large grains, therefore, small-grained varieties are used for feeding birds or they are crushed. It is impossible to abuse corn - a large amount of such feed causes obesity in Baku pigeons.
- Rice... Despite the high concentration of nutrients, rice does not act as the basis of the diet. The reason for this is the high price of grain.
- Flax-seed... The food is nutritious, but has a laxative effect, so it is fed in moderation.
- Sunflower seeds... They are added to almost all compound feed, but it is better not to give it to Bakuvians in its pure form. Their share in the diet of birds should not exceed 10%.
- Hemp... Despite the fact that Baku pigeons love her, the product should not be abused. Large amounts of cannabis cause digestive and weight problems in birds. It is also better not to give raw hemp to Bakuvians - boil it before serving.
- Fresh greens... Baku residents respond well to vitamin supplements with dandelions, spinach and lettuce. If you regularly add greens to the diet of birds, you can even exclude the introduction of a variety of vitamin and mineral complexes.
How to properly train Baku pigeons
In order not to harm the health of birds during training and competitions, it is recommended to adhere to some tips designed to protect novice poultry farmers from serious mistakes:
- In no case should the dove be trained immediately after laying. You need to wait at least 2 days after and the same before.
- Chicks cannot be taken from their parents for a week after hatching.
- Youngsters begin to accustom themselves to training at the age of one month. Sometimes birds are released for the first training much later, 2 months after birth, but only if the pigeon is slowly developing for some reason. It is not recommended to delay with the beginning of classes.
- 3-5 days before the competition, heavy food is excluded from the diet of Bakuvians.
- 1 hour before the start of the competition, the birds need to be well watered so that they do not get dehydrated from high loads.
- Do not release pigeons to train in the city. Noise and buildings will be a major nuisance, birds need open space and relatively low noise.
- Letting out Bakuvians for training, classes of mature individuals alternate with young ones.
- Males of Baku pigeons are trained separately from females.
- Despite the fact that Bakuvians easily find their way home, it is better not to let young pigeons out in heavy fog or rain.
Conclusion
Over the three centuries of existence, Baku pigeons have gained great popularity among poultry farmers in Russia. They cannot be called the most beautiful breed, but this is not the dignity of birds. Among other species of Baku pigeons, they are distinguished by rare endurance and unique flight patterns. It is difficult to confuse the battle of the Baku breed with the battle of other varieties. In addition, the advantages of this species include good adaptive abilities - the birds quickly adapt to different climatic conditions, which allows them to be bred in most of the country.
You can learn more about the features of Baku pigeons from the video:
