A pronounced breed of carrier pigeons does not exist in nature. All birds have the ability to return to their nests from long distances. Just some breeds of pigeons make it worse, some better. The latter are considered actually postal.
Among other things, such pigeons are also distinguished by their ability to fly fast.
Currently, there are mainly three varieties considered to be postal: Flanders, Luttih, English quarry and Antwerp. The English quarry is distinguished by its large size, powerful physique, a very well-developed peri-ocular ring and a beak with a pronounced growth. The Flanders pigeon, on the contrary, has small dimensions, as well as a thick and short neck and beak. His wings are pressed very tightly to his body. The Antwerp dove is distinguished by a long beak and neck, and the Luttiha pigeon is very small. These are the four main breeds of carrier pigeons at the moment.
In Russia, quarries are usually bred. In addition, dragons are popular in our country. These carrier pigeons were obtained in the 7th century by crossing the same quarries with another breed - the Turmans. Dragons also have a developed periocular ring and a large horny growth in the peribranch region, however, these signs are not so pronounced in them. Careers were once imported long ago from the East (for the first time such pigeons began to be bred in Egypt) to Europe, and then significantly improved in England. Once they were famous just like the English messengers.
Home pigeons require special conditions of detention and training. Particular attention should be paid to feeding. Under normal conditions, birds are given about 410 grams of food in 8 days. With enhanced feeding - 820 g. During the incubation period, both the female and the male are fed according to the number of chicks. It is impossible to overfeed these birds. Otherwise, they will become slow and lazy. Adult birds are fed three times a day - in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Chicks - usually five times a day.
Mostly pigeons eat yellow peas. In this case, you need to ensure that among the yellow green legumes do not come across. From them, pigeons can begin indigestion. If this happened, you should temporarily add cereals to the diet. Be sure to give salt, chalk and lime in a small amount. To stimulate reproduction, feed pigeons and animal food (meat and bone meal, fish, etc.).
For their intended use, carrier pigeons must be trained. Training begins after the plumage of the chicks, at about six weeks of age. Pigeons were originally taught to fly around pigeons. This is done for about a month and a half, and then proceed to real training. At the same time, birds are taken away from the nest for some distance, gradually increasing it, and released. The best time for such training is considered to be the period from April to October. In the first year, the distance is adjusted to approximately 300 km.
It is best to let out a trained bird from an open and elevated place. In the valley, carrier pigeons may not immediately orient themselves, while mountains and forests scare them. A basket of birds is placed on the ground, opened and walk away from it. Usually after that they fly out, rise to a great height and, having described several circles, fly away with great speed towards the house.
It is believed that the maximum distance from which carrier pigeons (photo of birds can be seen on this page) can find the way to the dovecote is about 1100 km. However, there are cases when birds flew back home and from more distant places. But only a pigeon who has reached the age of three can “take” such a distance.