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Nikolaev pigeons are a breed of Ukrainian high-flying pigeons. It is very popular in Ukraine and far beyond its borders. Fans of the breed appreciate the Nikolaev pigeons for their unique circleless flight.
The history of the Nikolaev pigeons
The homeland of the Nikolaev pigeons is the city of Nikolaev (Ukraine). It is assumed that the unusual birds on the Black Sea coast were brought by sailors from Turkey, Spain and other countries. Pigeon breeders crossed them with local pigeon breeds. As a result of long selection work in the selection of pairs with certain flight functions, this breed was formed. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, in 1910, breed standards for the Nikolaev pigeons were first established.
Their middle name is cloud-cutters, since they are able to rise to considerable heights (up to clouds and clouds), sometimes completely disappearing from view. The breeding work of breeders was aimed at developing the flight properties of the Nikolaev pigeons. The seaside winds, warm climate, diet, care turned the pigeon into a unique bird with good flying qualities.
A version is known about the origin of pigeons of this breed from Ancient Greece, and pigeons with an unusual style of flight "butterfly" - from Poland. However, today these assumptions cannot be verified.
Features of the Nikolaev high-flying pigeons
The Nikolaev breed of high-flying pigeons differs significantly from other breeds in its characteristics. The unique anatomical structure of the body allows pigeons to resist rising air currents during flight. Nikolaev birds have a streamlined body shape, strong, developed muscles, with the help of which pigeons are in the sky for a long time. The plumage is rather dense, the feathers on the wings are wide and rather mobile. The tail is large in size, elongated. The plumage on the tail and wings is elastic and resilient.
Nikolaev pigeons are able to rise to a height of up to 2 km, while making incredible flights along the trajectory. Many subspecies prefer to fly alone, such as the black white-tailed ones.
Flight of the Nikolaev pigeons
Of all the variety of high-flying breeds of pigeons, only Nikolaev ones have a unique style of flight. Representatives of this breed do not make circular movements either during the ascent or during the descent. They rise strictly vertically and so high that sometimes they disappear from sight, "stand" in one place. Working with their wings, fluffing their tail, thereby forming a circle, the birds hang in the air for several hours, then rising, then slightly lowering. The video of the flight of the Nikolaev pigeons is simply amazing.
There are 4 types of flight:
- lark - the dove stretches its wings in flight along the body, quickly moves them, from time to time freezing in the air;
- butterfly - the pigeon has its wings at a certain angle (30 °), flaps them often, does not hover during the flight;
- end - the bird exposes its wings at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the body, takes off strictly vertically in a "pillar", gains altitude quickly; does not flap its wings, but flutters slightly with its tips; is the rarest type of flight;
- sickle or inverted sickle - horizontal takeoff, extending the wings in front of the head and turning them in an arc (sickle).
Among the pigeons of the Nikolaev high-flying breed, flight in the style of a butterfly is classic. Birds quickly learn this type of summer even without much training. Nikolaev high-flying end pigeons are the rarest, therefore they are so appreciated at various international exhibitions and competitions. They are distinguished by their strength, endurance, vertical takeoff and beautiful landing. The video of the Nikolaev end pigeons can be viewed below.
All representatives of this breed prefer to fly alone. Taking off from the dovecote in a flock, they immediately scatter in different directions.
Breed characteristics and standards of high-flying Nikolaev pigeons
Representatives of Nikolaev pigeons must comply with the following standards:
- body length does not exceed 40 cm;
- tilt of the body to the ground no more than 45 degrees;
- the back is wide, passes into a short neck;
- the breast is slightly convex;
- smooth plumage on the head, without a tuft;
- beak of medium size, slightly curved;
- strong wings, pressed tightly to the body;
- the tail section is located horizontally with respect to the ground, has 16 tail feathers;
- legs are dark red, without feathers;
- yellow or orange eyes.
The breed has extremely clear characteristics. If an individual differs from the main indicators in any way, then it is not suitable for preserving the breed.
They are constantly trying to improve the Nikolaev breed, so new varieties often appear. Basically, selection is carried out by Ukrainian breeders, subspecies get their names from those cities where they were bred. Thus, Kharkov, Donetsk, Kiev and Melitopol fighting pigeons are distinguished. Nikolaev pigeons of Russia are represented by Rostov high-flying individuals.
They differ from each other in color, different flight styles, and the structure of the bird's body. Even breeds with forelocks and rich plumage on their legs appeared.
Any of the subspecies has a hull structure adapted to flight. Nikolaev pigeons can stay in the sky for up to 10 hours. Chicks begin to rise into the air from 1.5 months of age.
The suits of the Nikolaev pigeons
If we talk about color, then the breeders did not pay much attention to it before. The main thing was the style and duration of the flight. Today the Nikolaev high-flying pigeons have become more graceful, with a variety of colors. Unfortunately, this often negatively affects flight performance.
In Nikolaev pigeons with a varied palette of colors, the tail is almost always white. The following suits are distinguished:
- martins - birds of light color, on the back there are dark spots, flight feathers of light or dark colors;
- hryvnias - white birds with a dark spot on the back of the head that resembles a mane;
- corymbose (side) - colored sides and wings, a small speck on the forehead;
- variegated (murky) white-tailed - feathers on the body of pigeons are light or dark, with contrasting blotches;
- solid - colored pigeons, but birds of black or blue color have a dark tail.
The main color of the plumage can be gray, blue, red, ash, marble.
The nature of the Nikolaev pigeons
Individuals of this breed are very hardy and energetic, with strong immunity. They can adapt to any conditions, including climatic ones, they are not picky about keeping and feeding. The behavior is somewhat aggressive, but these are very caring parents for their chicks. In a year, the couple makes up to 3 clutches and incubates chicks in turn. Babies of Nikolaev pigeons also have good adaptive properties. They are as hardy as adults.
Conditions of detention
By their nature, Nikolaev pigeons are rather unpretentious birds, but certain rules of maintenance and care must be observed.
One of the main rules is the separation of males and females during the winter months. At the beginning of February, by the mating period, they can be reconnected, the resulting pairs will give offspring.
It is important to keep pigeons in specially equipped rooms - dovecotes or poultry houses. They should be as spacious as possible, protected from wind, drafts, direct sunlight. It is recommended to regularly clean the house of manure, change the water in the bath and drinkers daily.
The flock should be inspected every day. They, like all birds, are susceptible to some infections. If an unhealthy bird is found, the breeder should immediately remove it from the rest of the flock in a separate room and show it to the veterinarian.
The diet of feeding should be aimed at strengthening the muscles and preserving the supply of energy, since the bird is a flying breed. To do this, it is necessary to add protein products and carbohydrates to the grain mixture. It is very useful to add millet to the feed - it does not weigh down the bird, while at the same time it energizes.
Breeding pigeons of the Nikolaev breed
Breeding Nikolaev pigeons is an easy task. They usually mate for life. But when it comes to breeding mating in order to get genetically pure offspring, the breeder matches pairs artificially. Nikolaev breed of birds incubate eggs in turn. Chicks hatch 19-20 days. The breeder must promptly replace unfertilized eggs with dummies.
Until the age of one month, the female feeds the chicks with goiter milk. Sometimes pigeon breeders have to replace parents and feed the chicks on their own, making a warm mixture of milk and mashed yolk. They should eat up to 6 times a day. It is imperative to teach kids to drink water by gently dipping their beak into a container of water. In a hot period of time, you need to bathe the chicks, lowering them to the neck in the water.
After a month, babies can be given small steamed grains, fruits and vegetables, and then gradually transfer them to a full adult diet.
Bird training
Since these birds constantly participate in various competitions, they need training every day. You need to start classes from the age of one month.
Initially, you should accustom the pigeons to flying in the aviary, and then proceed to the training of take-off from the roof of the poultry house. This should be done gradually, without overloading the flock, with short breaks.
Intensive training is carried out just before the competition. The rest of the time, the load should be moderate. Classes are best done in the morning, in good weather. On foggy days, training should be canceled as the birds may become disoriented.
Before starting training, you should make sure that the flock is healthy.
Diseases of the breed
Pigeon breeders should visually inspect their flock of pigeons every day. You need to be able to distinguish between healthy and sick birds. A healthy pigeon is characterized by uniform plumage, smooth, clean mucous membranes, easy breathing, formed stools and interest in food.
Diseases can manifest themselves after contact with a sick bird, rodents, due to stale water, poor quality feed. The main diseases of the Nikolaev pigeons:
- thrush - fungal disease, in which the bird is sluggish, with formations on the mucous membranes, loose stools;
- anemia - more associated with poor-quality nutrition, affects the well-being and muscle tone;
- smallpox - expressed in damage to the skin and mucous membranes in the form of growths;
- paratyphoid - the intestines, the nervous system are affected, manifested in a lack of appetite, unsteadiness;
- psittacosis - the respiratory system suffers, characterized by weakness, shortness of breath;
- coccidosis - intestinal disease, in which there is loose stools, poor appetite, convulsions;
- trichomoniasis - inflammatory disease of the throat and digestive system.
To avoid these and other diseases, it is important to properly equip the dovecote: provide ventilation, additional lighting, and regularly measure the level of humidity. It is imperative to do daily cleaning, change the water, wash and disinfect all containers. Also, the breeder needs to remember the importance of timely vaccination, the addition of vitamins and minerals to food.
Conclusion
Nikolaev pigeons are birds with an original, mesmerizing flight. A big plus is their endurance, disease resistance and unpretentious care. That is why many breeders opt for this unique breed.
