Content
The puffer pigeon is one of the species of pigeons that got its name from its ability to inflate the crop to a considerable size. Most often this is characteristic of males. The unusual appearance allows these pigeons to be attributed to decorative types. The flying qualities of the bird are very poorly developed.
History of the breed
The puffer pigeon first appeared among breeders at the beginning of the 18th century. The country of origin is considered to be Belgium or Holland, where pigeon breeding was a popular activity. But information from 1345 has survived, which mentions Spanish pigeons capable of greatly swelling the goiter. It is quite possible that the blowers got to Europe through the countries of Austria-Hungary.
Description of blown pigeons
As a result of the work done by the breeders, over time, about 20 species of blown pigeons appeared. Among them are pigeons of various sizes, with and without plumage on their legs, with various shades. The pigeons blown up in the photo look very majestic.
The main features of the breed:
- the ability to swell the goiter to an enormous size;
- elongated, smooth body, with a vertical arrangement;
- narrow, long tail and wings lying on it;
- a small head with a high frontal part;
- poor flight performance.
The population of puffer pigeons is widespread in the West and on the territory of Russia. The cold season is spent in the warm countries of South America.
They live near water bodies - where there is a wet grass cover. During wintering, they are grouped in small flocks of up to 6 birds. There are also solitary birds. They do not fly long and are extremely reluctant. Breathers are comfortable in the enclosures. Males are very aggressive and often fight. Therefore, it is better to keep this breed separately from other birds. They have poor health and, when kept in captivity, require careful attention to themselves.
Types of pigeons blown
Pigeons of the puffer breed differ from each other depending on the breeding location. All varieties have certain standards and differences. The common thing is that the breed is difficult to care for, it will take a lot of strength and attention from the breeder to his wards. Culling when working with blowers is quite common. Pigeon breeders carefully select chicks for breeding purebred individuals. This is a rather complicated process, since puffers are not fertile. Sometimes it takes at least a year to breed a puffer with a special color of plumage.
A video of blown pigeons is presented below.
English
The breed was bred by crossing old Dutch pigeons with Roman pigeons, more than 300 years ago in England. They are still the most popular breed among blowers.
The back and tail form an almost straight line. Quite large in size, the length of the bird is about 50 cm. The head is small, smooth, without a crest, in the form of an oval. In multi-colored pigeons, the eyes are yellow-red, in white pigeons, they are dark. The goiter in an inflated state has the shape of a ball, narrows towards the chest. The wings are long, their ends lie on the tail. The legs are covered with plumage. The color can be varied. There are individuals of white, black, blue, red. Colored puffy pigeons have a breast, belly, wingtips, and a crescent on the breast is white. On the wings there are epaulettes made of several small feathers. There are pigeons of this species without a pattern - pure white birds.
Czech saddle
The breed of pigeons is originally from the Czech Republic, but recently interest in it has been somewhat lost due to the fascination with other breeds of birds. Therefore, Germany has become the second homeland of Czech blowers, where the good productivity and grace of these birds are very much appreciated.
They differ from the closest relative of the Moravian puffer in their pattern. On the forehead of the bird there is an oblong colored speck. It is the same color as the goiter, tail, saddle. A pigeon with a characteristic color, long plumage and abundant plumage on the legs. The bird has very good flying qualities, it is quite resistant to adverse weather conditions, various diseases.
It is distinguished by its beauty and is appreciated by breeders as a decorative breed for exhibitions.
Brno
This is the smallest and most accurate pigeon of all the representatives of the blowers. It is narrow in shape, with a developed goiter. It has a small head, eyes are often orange in color. Narrow feathers lag significantly behind the body, legs are long, slender. The plumage can be white-striped, black-striped, brindle and interspersed.
They are usually fed with barley, wheat, millet. During the molting period, it is better to introduce oats, flax seeds and rape into the diet. Birds should be fed more often, but in small portions. Excess fat is deposited in the body of pigeons when corn, peas, beans are introduced into feed, therefore it is not advisable to feed them.
Norwich
This puffer is a decorative show breed. Stands straight on long legs, as if on tiptoe. The goiter is round in shape, located at a right angle. The bird is medium in size, without a forelock and feathers on its legs.
Typical feathers are black, white, gray, brick, brown, beige. All colors are bright, juicy shades. The marriage is inconspicuous colors, poorly expressed pattern on the plumage of the bird.
Usually the drawing is even, in the form of a crescent. It begins on the goiter, ends on the sides.
Wurburg
Very calm, friendly, playful bird. She is attentive to the person, devoted. Stands and walks upright. During courtship, a pair of pigeons beautifully spreads their tail in a fan, they bounce in front of each other. In flight, the blowers flap their wings loudly.
The plumage is quite dense, fits the body well. The main color of the pigeon is white except for the tips of the wings. Colors should be bright and crisp. Pigeons of this breed always keep their beak up because of the large goiter.
Dwarf
They can be called dwarf when compared with other breeds of puffers. Their size is about 35 cm in length.
They first appeared at the end of the 19th century, the progenitors were Brno and English pigeons blowing. Outwardly, dwarf pigeons are very similar to their ancestors except for their size. They are kept only in aviaries, but they can also live in apartments.
The craw of pigeons is spherical, the body is even, neat. Eye color depends on the shade of the plumage. Pigeons are very varied in color. They can be silver, with a blue tint, and there are also black and white individuals.
The breed is easily vulnerable and requires careful grooming.
Blower gaditano
A medium sized pigeon with a very lively disposition. The goiter is neat, in the shape of a ball. The head is elongated, with a small wax. The beak is short and rounded. The wings are strong, lie on the tail, the tips do not cross.
The bird can be of various colors. The plumage is quite dense. There is a pattern in the form of spots, stripes and other marks.
Individuals with a strongly swollen goiter, a too narrow body, short or long legs, and a pronounced waxworm are subject to culling.
Hall blower
They give the impression of a graceful, small, very mobile bird. The body is located horizontally, the head is strongly thrown back. The craw is wide, round and, in combination with the body of the bird, resembles a ball with a tail. The plumage is short, bright in color. The standard color is one-color, but there are pigeons of a variegated, brindle color.
Among the shortcomings can be a narrow body, a small goiter, legs of an irregular shape, an uneven tail, the absence of a horizontal position when walking.
Pomeranian
Larger birds than the English Puffer, with a powerful body. The color of the plumage can be pure white, white with a black or bluish tail. There are colored individuals with a white crescent moon on the crop. Of the colored pigeons, there are more often brick, yellow, dove-gray shades.
Pomeranian puffins have a smooth head, without a crest, and a medium-sized beak (in white and colored birds it is beige, in others it is dark). Large goiter, wide breast. The wings are dense, the tail is wide, slightly rounded at the end. Legs are long with abundant plumage.
Features of the content
Breeding pigeons of this breed is troublesome and requires a lot of effort and special attention from the breeder. Breathers are often susceptible to various diseases, as they have a weak immune system. In addition, males are pugnacious, often wound each other with goiter. Therefore, this breed of pigeons should be kept separate from other birds to avoid punctures.
Dovecote requirement
The main requirement is to keep the premises clean. It is necessary to do daily cleaning. Clean feeders, drinkers, bathing troughs every day. Disinfect the premises twice a year. The dovecote should only be built from natural building materials. The room should be warm, dry and light. It is necessary to carry out additional lighting, especially the birds need it in the winter time. In the summer, you need to more often ventilate and shade the dovecote in bright sun. The temperature regime in the dovecote is as follows: 20 degrees in summer, up to -6 in winter. One of the prerequisites is the presence of dry natural bedding.
Feeding the blowers
The diet is not particularly different from the diet of other pigeon species. They also need protein, carbohydrates and fats. Do not forget about vitamins and mineral supplements. It is imperative to provide the bird with green food, vegetables, fruits, fish oil, ground eggshells. Since the immunity of pigeons of this breed is weakened, many breeders strengthen it with the help of decoctions of various herbs.
On average, pigeons consume from 40 to 50 g per day, in the winter period the rate is doubled, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements.
Puffer pigeons drink a lot of water, so they should have easy access to clean and fresh liquid. And since they often drink from bathing suits, they need to change the water and clean the containers for liquids every day.
Breeding blowers
2 weeks after mating, the female makes a clutch. An adult lays 2 eggs. Incubation time is about 18-20 days. Usually the female and the male sit in the nest in turn. The male is more involved in arranging the nest, and the female completes the construction. The breeder can help a little: throw branches and straw into the aviary.
On the 4th day after laying, you need to check the eggs for fertilization. To do this, you need to carefully take the egg and look at the light: a dark spot of the embryo and red blood vessels of the circulatory system will be noticeable in the fertilized egg. An unfertilized egg is transparent, it is replaced with an artificial dummy so that the parents do not abandon the clutch.
Conclusion
The puffer pigeon is a bird, unusual in appearance and behavior, with a touching attitude towards humans. Her peaceful disposition more than compensates for some of the complexity of maintenance and care.
