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Iranian pigeons are a domestic pigeon breed from Iran. Her homeland is the country's three major cities: Tehran, Qom and Kashan. The Iranians have been raising pigeons since time immemorial for endurance and flight beauty competitions. In Europe, the Iranian pigeon is known as the Persian alpine pigeon.
History of Iranian fighting pigeons
The ancestors of the first Iranian large fighting pigeons lived in Persia, where modern Iran is located. They began to breed them several thousand years BC. e. Wealthy people and rulers of the country were engaged in pigeon breeding.
Pigeon sport - competition for endurance and quality of flight of pigeons originated in the city of Kashan, and then spread throughout the world. In ancient times, competitions were held in the spring, and the number of participants was small (up to 10 birds). Nowadays, hundreds of pigeons take part in demonstration performances. For the judges, not only the flight is important, but also the appearance of the participants.
Pigeon breeding is the oldest tradition of the Iranians, which is still alive today. Dovecote houses can be found throughout the country, some of which resemble small palaces. The droppings of hundreds of pigeons are used by people to fertilize the infertile Iranian lands. The breeding of these birds is considered sacred, they are kept not only in the countryside, but also in cities. In any region of the country, you can find specialized shops selling locally bred Iranian slaughter pigeons. The owners of these establishments, called Saleh, are wealthy and respected people.
A distinctive feature of pigeon breeding in Iran is that there is no generally accepted standard for pigeons. They are not exhibited by experts to assess the exterior, only the endurance and beauty of the birds' flight matters. The selection is carried out only in this direction. Unlike Iranian pigeon breeders, Russian amateurs improve the breed in several directions at once - they improve the appearance and flying qualities.
Appearance
The fighting pigeons of the Iranians are characterized as proud, strong, harmoniously built birds. The exhibition pays great attention to color, size and body shape, evaluates the flight of pigeons, and the ability to return to their place.
The length of the body of the Iranians is measured from the beak to the tip of the tail, it must be at least 34 cm and up to 36 cm. If a forelock grows on an oblong head, the variety is called "bearded". For forelocked Iranian pigeons, a pure white color with a bleed-off beard is desirable, the back of the forelock is white.
Birds can be with a smooth head, this species is also called "golovat". The color or pattern for the toothless is pure white, with a bleed-off head. The characteristic head color is red, black, yellow and various intermediate variants.
Other important characteristics of Iranian high-flying:
- black or dark brown eyes;
- a thin beak with a length of 2.4 to 2.6 cm;
- the chest is slightly convex;
- slightly elongated curved neck;
- long wings converge at the tail;
- bell-shaped plumage on the legs, up to 3 cm long, fingers are naked;
- legs of medium length.
The Hamadan slaughter pigeons of Iran are distinguished by long plumage on their paws. It prevents birds from moving quickly and freely on the ground, but in the sky they have no equal.The color of such pigeons is diverse - there are individuals with a colored tail, painted sides and one-color.
Flight
During the flight of Iranian fighting pigeons in the video, the beauty of the performance is admired. These birds are classified as flying breeds, they have their own style of "dancing" in the sky. For the characteristic flapping of their wings in the air, pigeons are called fighting pigeons, they fly up, doing somersaults over the tail. The strongest members of the pack try to stand out and fly as high as possible to show all their talents. Flight is characterized by a slower wing beat than other breeds, the ability to hover in the air and make somersaults.
The Iranians have a strong, flexible skeleton. Powerful wings and streamlined torso make it possible to perform flips in the air. A special respiratory system allows you to receive more oxygen, and makes the birds incredibly resilient. Pigeon breeders claim that Iranian slaughterhouses can spend up to 12 hours a day in the air. They fly very high, sometimes out of sight.
Iranian pigeons catch air currents, can hover and tumble for hours at a height. They are wind-resistant and handle turbulent currents well. Birds have excellent visual memory, which helps them memorize terrain and landmarks. Thanks to their ultraviolet vision, birds can see the ground through the clouds.
Varieties of Iranian pigeons
There are a large number of fighting Iranian pigeons in Iran, except for the heady and ticklish varieties. Any city can boast of its unique view. But they all have similar features characteristic of the entire Persian region. Varieties of Iranian pigeons:
- Tehran high-flying most popular with pigeon breeders. They have a large wingspan, reaching 70 cm in some individuals. Among their Iranian counterparts, they stand out for their rounded head shape and a short, strong beak. The plumage can be of various colors - post der, post halder, death peri.
- Hamadan kosmachi belong to the most beautiful pigeon breeds. the plumage on the legs of these birds can reach 20 cm. This oldest Iranian species of pigeons is represented by several breeding lines, among which there are differences in plumage color, beak length, and head decorations. The advantages of the Hamadan cosmachs include excellent flight qualities, they can spend up to 14 hours in the sky. In combat, they are significantly superior to bare-legged breeds.
- Tibriz pigeons or Iranian high-flying pigeons are a variety common in western Iran. The birds are characterized by an elongated body and an oblong head. The appearance is similar to the Baku fighting pigeons, most likely, the breeds have common ancestors. Of great importance for this variety is the purity of the color, it should be perfectly even without blots.
Combat characteristics
When taking off into the sky, a bird hits the air with its wings, the nature of such a fight is different. It should be well heard by people standing on the ground, this is the value of the breed. Combat types:
- corkscrew - spinning in a spiral while playing with the wings; to improve the flight, training is required at least 2 times a week;
- pillar - taking off from the ground in a strictly vertical direction with small circles, during the flight the bird emits characteristic sounds, and after climbing it tumbles over its head;
- butterfly game - frequent flaps of the wings, the desire for single flights are characteristic.
It is a great pleasure to contemplate the flight of Iranian white doves in the sky.You can witness this spectacle at an exhibition and competition or when visiting pigeon farms. During the competition, the judges evaluate the strong and high-altitude combat, the duration of the flight in different styles.
Content recommendations
The dovecote is protected from drafts and dampness. The birds are not afraid of frost, so there is no need for individual heating - healthy individuals tolerate a drop in air temperature down to –40 ° C. The pigeon house is spacious, protected from the ingress of cats and rats. To save time on cleaning, the floors are slatted. In each dovecote, perches and nesting compartments are built, feeders and drinkers are placed on the floor.
Pigeons should always have clean water and food. They use special feeders and drinkers with canopies on top, which prevent contamination of the contents. Flying breeds should not be fed heavy food during the rut. Healthy birds should be half-starved.
Pigeons are fed with different grains:
- lentils or peas (protein source);
- wheat and millet (carbohydrates for energy);
- flax seeds (contain fats);
- aniseed (delicacy).
The cereal mixture may also include the following cereals:
- oats;
- barley;
- corn;
- rice;
- sunflower seeds.
Pigeons are fed 2 times a day strictly according to the schedule, at 6.00 or 9.00 and 17.00. In addition to grain, mineral supplements are needed - shell rock, refined sand and liquid or tableted vitamins. While the chicks are being fed, feed is given 3 times a day - in the morning, afternoon and evening, at the same time. In winter, birds also need three meals a day.
The amount of feed per day is calculated based on the number of livestock and the period of life of birds:
- one young bird per day requires about 40 g of grain mixture;
- during molting, they give 50 g of grain for each individual;
- during the period of egg laying and reproduction, each pigeon is allocated 60 g of cereals.
In Iran, preparation for flying competitions begins 50 days before the due date. During this time, the birds molt and gain the necessary shape. Pigeons are not chased during molting, they are given a varied, high-quality feed with a high protein content. Active training begins one week before the competition.
If the birds are given good care - quality food, clean water, they will live a long time. We also need vaccinations, keeping the pigeons clean, and preventing common bird diseases. The average lifespan of a healthy pigeon is 10 years, some live up to 15.
Conclusion
Iranian pigeons are incredibly hardy and quick-witted. The best representatives of the species are not inferior in intelligence to a 3-year-old child. The beauty of the flight of fighting pigeons is striking. Birds are bred in Russia not only for the sake of flying qualities, they monitor the exterior. For Iranian high flying there is a strict standard describing color, proportions and body size. Iranian pigeons are unpretentious in keeping, they need many hours of training before competitions and exhibitions. For the health of pigeons, it is important to observe the regularity of feeding, keep the pigeon house clean and prevent bird diseases.
