Content
Crescent pigeons are a breed that stands out for their interesting appearance and unique flying style. Due to the unusual structure of the wing and unpretentious care, they are very popular among breeders. Before purchasing sickle pigeons, experts recommend that you familiarize yourself with the breeding characteristics in order to get healthy individuals with high rates.
History of the breed
Ancient Turkey and Syria are called the homeland of sickles. For a long time, “beautiful creatures” were bred here (this is how the name is translated from Sanskrit).
Sickle pigeons were brought to Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. After the first individuals appeared on the territory of the empire, many pigeon breeders wanted to purchase them. So, the birds, through the efforts of some Kaiser and Kirichenko, who contributed to the development of the breed, ended up in the city of Ochakov. In the process of selection work, breeders bred several types of sickle pigeons:
- Garkushinskiy;
- Muzykinskiy;
- Kalachovsky.
The amateurs paid special attention to selection: only individuals with excellent flying qualities were allowed into breeding. As a result, after a while, the flap of the wing, resembling a sickle or a month, became the hallmark of the breed from the city of Ochakov, and the sickle pigeons themselves received a second name - Ochakovsky inverted ones.
Description of sickle pigeons
Sickle-inverted pigeons, despite their small size, are characterized by strong muscles and extreme endurance. This feature is due to their origin. It is believed that strong sea winds on the coast interfered with free soaring. Sickle were forced to adapt to sudden changes in the direction of air currents.
Distinctive features of the breed of sickle pigeons are also called:
- developed parental instinct;
- the ability to quickly recover after the appearance of offspring;
- the ability to fly smoothly and easily regardless of the season;
- excellent orientation in space.
The listed qualities are inherent only in pure-bred individuals, which in the process of selection work are becoming less and less.
Flight of sickle pigeons
Crescent pigeons are a flying breed. They are able to soar high into the sky and soar in the air for hours. Dovecote fly out in a flock from the balcony or platform, and in the air they separate for individual flight. The birds line up in a kind of whatnot, hanging vertically at different heights.
Representatives of sickle pigeons have different flight manners:
- End. The bird throws out its wings over itself (parallel to each other), while twisting the flight feathers. This feature served as the basis for the name of the breed - inverted.
- Swing. The pigeon hovers in the air alternately, then on the right, then on the left wing. Performs the exercise rarely, but for a long time.
- Crescent. The bird folds its wings in the shape of a sickle, which makes it possible to capture the air flow and rise high into the sky.
- Rigid wing, or "crowbar". During the ascent and descent, the sickle pigeon, surrendering to the will of the wind, makes wave-like movements with a rigid wing. At the same time, it looks broken, for which the manner was called "scrap".
Crescent pigeons do not make circular movements during flight. They soar up vertically, hover, and descend in the same way.
Crescent pigeons do not fly. Due to strong air currents, the pigeon can fly far away from the dovecote and get lost.
There is a video about sickle pigeons, which shows how breeders train birds in cold weather and strong gusts of wind.
Breed characteristics and standards
Crescent pigeons (photo below) are slender, correctly folded. The skeleton is light, not massive. The head is dry, small in size. The chest is not wide. The feathers are dense and dense. Solid or variegated color:
- black;
- white;
- ashy;
- with red, yellow, blue shades.
According to the generally accepted standard, sickle pigeons are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- Elongated body. The body length is 34-37 cm.
- Narrow wings, sharp at the ends. They grow up to 21-25 cm, almost completely cover the tail (there is a free space of 2 cm).
- Convex 4th joint on the wings. Causes an unusual flying style.
- Lush tail. It reaches about 11-12 cm in length.
- Wide tail feathers (12-14 pieces). The gap between them is considered a marriage.
The upper wing twist in representatives of the sickle breed normally consists of 3-4 flight feathers. In this case, a right angle should be determined between the shoulder and the wing of the pigeon.
Breeding sickle pigeons
Sickle inverted pigeons are energetic and unpretentious. They adapt well to unfavorable climatic conditions, reproduce well and independently nurture their offspring. A novice breeder will also cope with their content.
Egg-laying
The female of the sickle breed lays 2 eggs alternately in each laying cycle. This happens in the second week after mating, in the morning. The time between egg hatching is approximately 45 hours.
Incubation
In sickle pigeons, females sit on eggs. For the comfort of the birds, the nests are separated by partitions or placed at the maximum distance from each other.
The incubation period, depending on the season, is 16-19 days. Several times a day, the dove turns the eggs on its own. Crescent chicks appear after 8-10 hours after the beginning of pecking.
Keeping chicks
From the parents of sickle chicks are weaned at the age of 25-28 days. Crushed grain is used for feeding. Vitamins are added to drinking water, as well as mineral feeding.
Upon reaching 2 months of age, young sickle pigeons begin to learn the style of flight. The transition of chicks from squeaking to cooing can serve as a signal to start training.
Adult care
Crescent pigeons do not tolerate restrictions on freedom, so the dovecote should be spacious and bright. Its dimensions are calculated according to the scheme 0.5-1 m2 space for a couple of birds. Moreover, the total number of couples in one house should not exceed 15. The height of the room is 2 m. The presence of an aviary is also required.
The optimum temperature range inside the dovecote is + 10⁰C in winter and + 20⁰C in summer.
For feeding adult sickle pigeons, a grain mixture of legumes, wheat and millet is suitable. The amount of grain is calculated according to the proportion of 40 g per 1 individual. It is also advisable to add vitamin complexes to food.
Conclusion
Crescent pigeons are extraordinary birds, striking the impression with a special manner of flight. Even novice breeders will cope with their breeding. And attention, care and regular training will allow you to achieve high breed performance.
