Among the breeds of pigeons flying direction, one of the best called Pakistani (or "Indo-Pakistani"). Birds are characterized by amazing endurance, orient themselves on the terrain and are adapted to different climates. The advantages of the breed in altitude and duration of flight and special acrobatic skills.
Origin of breed
Pakistani pigeons came to the country from neighboring India, so they are often called Indo-Pakistani. Both Asian states are the homeland of birds, where they have been bred for decades. Birds can easily tolerate dry and hot climates (up to 50 degrees Celsius), because birds are widespread in Central Asia. They were kept by Arabs and Indians, developing the skills and exterior of their wards.
Today, Pakistanis are popular in the UAE. This is one of the few breeds of pigeons, if not the only one that has been kept and bred in the Emirates for several decades. This variety is highly valued for its ability to fly very long and arrange special competitions. The most hardy are used to breed royal Pakistanis. Competitions are held twice a year.
Appearance description
Pakistani pigeons do not have generally accepted breed standards. The appearance of different individuals can radically differ - by the nature of plumage, color, pattern, presence or absence of forelocks and shag, body length, etc. Among the pigeons of Pakistan, there are several subtypes that have slight differences in appearance. However, the common characteristics of the birds of this breed still have.
So all “Pakistanis” have the following external characteristics:
- The average size is 27-28 cm.
- Wide developed chest.
- Small head (compared to the body).
- Tail, consisting of 12 feathers or more. Long, which is uncharacteristic for flying breeds.
In the color of birds light colors prevail - most often white. After molting is established. The drawing is preserved for life. The feathers of the pigeons are evenly colored, but the plumage pattern stands out clearly.
The color of different parts of the body (wings, head, neck) and body varies. Eye color can be blue, black, orange, red. There are pigeons with different plumage on the body. For example, in panties, with shaggy legs, shaggy, forelock, with feathers on the head and without them. If there are forelocks, their shape may be acupuncture or peak.
Flight qualities and flight features
The high-flying breed of Pakistani war pigeons has a memorable flight style that made them famous. The birds make acrobatic elements in the air, when they climb and exit into the so-called “pillar” they often turn over their heads. Because of the popping of wings that make a loud sound, they are referred to as fighting breeds. The favorite pastime of the “Pakistanis” is to climb high into the sky and soar there, working out their numbers.
Pakistani pigeons can spend 22 hours in the air. The world record was broken by them in the 90s.
It is interesting to note that the flying qualities of females appear earlier than in males. This is explained by early ripening. But regardless of gender, pigeons need to be trained. Breeders are not afraid of the alternative to long classes with their wards, as subsequent spectacles pay for the time costs. Skills given by nature and transmitted by blood need only be perfected. Excellent makings are perfectly combined with the complaisance of birds and their unpretentiousness in care.
Conditions of detention
You need to understand that these birds come from hot countries. Therefore, they must be kept either in a warm climate or in a heated room, where the temperature does not drop below 20-25 degrees.
The house can be either a specially equipped barn-dovecot, or an insulated attic, or the house itself. In the latter case, the number of individuals will have to be reduced to 2-4 pairs. And in the first two versions it is problematic to achieve comfortable conditions for birds, since at any time of the year (even with severe frosts), pigeons should have access to the street through the windows.
Arrangement and standards of premises
When a warm attic is chosen for a dovecote above a dwelling or a detached house “from scratch” is built for bird keeping, it is important to ensure that birds are not crowded there. The recommended population density is two pigeons per square meter. And if you plan to start 10 or more pairs, the building should be divided into separate compartments for each of them.
It must be remembered that in winter, males and females are temporarily seated. For this, appropriate premises are provided. According to the rules, a separate compartment should be for young birds.
Pigeon housing equip in accordance with accepted standards. Some general rules:
- The room should not be damp, drafts, dirt.
- It is important to protect birds from the invasion of predators - cats, rats and other unwanted guests.
- The exit from the dovecote is carried out to the south.
- If the dwelling is on the ground, the floor must be raised at least 25 cm, otherwise the birds may freeze. If necessary, heaters are installed in the room.
High-flying Pakistan pigeons can be attributed to sports breeds. Like other representatives of this species, they need a spacious aviary where they will take sun baths. The minimum enclosure size is 3x5 m.
The facade, as a rule, is made of mesh, and the walls are closed with plywood. Indoors, there is a swimming pool, a drinking bowl and a feeding trough, as well as boxes with fresh green grass, which pigeons regale for.
Ventilation, humidity and temperature
As in any dovecote, the ventilation system should be debugged in the home of the "Pakistanis". In this case, drafts are excluded. The air exchange is ensured by the supply and exhaust pipes. The exhaust is placed at a height of 15 cm from the floor line, and the supply air is placed under the ceiling. The ventilation outlet and entrance are covered with a net so that curious birds cannot get stuck in the pipes.
Comfortable temperature is the second important condition that must be observed in the dovecote. As mentioned above, the optimum temperature for these heat-loving birds is 20-25 degrees and above. In winter, it should not be lower than 20 degrees. How to understand that the birds froze? The following signs will tell about this:
- birds are inactive;
- sit in one place;
- get lost in groups;
- their feathers are tousled.
Humidity of air necessary for pigeons' health in their dwelling is 65-70%. With an increase in it, birds can become infected with diseases of fungal origin. To maintain the humidity necessary for pigeons in the room, several water containers can be placed in the pigeon. In addition, Pakistani birds need to provide daylight hours of 12 hours. To do this, the room is equipped with windows and illuminated artificially.
Nests and perches
In the dovecote are perches of wood. They rise 20-30 cm from the floor. The poles should have a suitable thickness - 2-3 cm - so that it would be comfortable for the birds to sit on them. The length of each roost is 30 cm. The correct design of the poles affects the health of birds and the quality of future offspring. The material is carefully selected: pre-painted and sanded.
Pigeons spend most of the cold season on roosts, as they freeze in the aviary. We need to provide them with the convenience of being on poles.
Pigeons need nests in order to lay and hatch eggs in them. They can be put together from wooden blocks or presented in the form of wooden racks placed along the walls. Each shelf is divided into square cells in which up to three pigeons fit freely.
The nests are covered with straw, and after successful mating, the owner can give the covered female materials for the nest: feathers and down, small twigs, woolen threads and other little things. She herself will arrange her house.
While the female hatches eggs, it is not recommended to approach her. She becomes nervous, leaves the nest and shows a maternal instinct with a willingness to protect the kids, especially if the guest is not familiar to her. Stuffed cabbage approaches a person, express indignation, intensively flapping wings. Only after the departure of people they again return to the chicks.
Cleanliness and litter
Compliance with hygiene standards in the pigeon is the key to the health of birds. The owner should regularly take time to clean the premises, carry out a complete disinfection before settling the pigeons in the aviary, and follow some tips:
- Perform routine disinfection once a month.
- Ventilate the dovecote after disinfection for at least 2-3 hours.
- Wash the drinker and feeder once a day.
- Change the litter as it becomes soiled, but at least every 7 days. When the weather is wet or the pigeons are immune, it is advisable to replace them daily.
- To wash floors, walls, perches with a soap solution. It is allowed to use weak disinfectants.
Litter in the room should not become a breeding ground for microorganisms. It can be made of various materials, but it is advisable to give preference to absorbent - river sand or dry peat. You can also use crushed oak bark. Pour sand, wood chips or peat with a thick layer of 2-3 cm.
Feeding and watering
As drinking bowls and feeders for Pakistani pigeons, it is recommended to use closed containers, for example, pneumatic or vacuum drinking bowls, placed on the floor. Garbage cannot get into them, and birds who like to rinse in water will not do this in a closed drinking bowl.
The feeder should be sized so that all birds can access the feed at the same time. It should be made of materials that do not absorb moisture - this eliminates the appearance of fungus.
How to feed pigeons? Their main food: cereals (60%), for example, barley with the addition of fresh vegetables and fruits, carrots, potatoes, apples. Fat-containing grains and legumes (peas, lentils), chalk, meadow grass can be introduced into the diet, and decoctions on herbs (string, chamomile) to strengthen immunity. Do not forget about the liquid. The water in the drinker should be changed daily.
A complete diet affects the life of pigeons, their health and appearance. Forming the menu, it is necessary to maintain the calorie content in order for the birds to eat fat - this reduces their mobility and degrades flight performance, which is fraught with dangerous and even fatal falls. The amount of food consumed by birds is calculated based on the time of year.
General rules are as follows:
- Each individual takes about 40-50 g of food per day, in winter the norm increases slightly.
- During breeding and molting, birds also require enhanced nutrition: 60 g per pigeon.
Pakistani Training
Pakistani pigeons are the best representatives of high-flying birds. But to be among the leaders, they need planned training. The ability to fly long in pigeons in the blood, but they are not adapted to independently perform acrobatic stunts and maneuvers. Experienced breeders know this and are ready to teach the students a course of excellence.
Among Pakistani high-flying, two species of pigeons are distinguished:
- Beginners fly correctly at an early age of three months.
- Mastering mastery at the age of one and a half years, i.e., later.
Experts who have not mastered the "aerobatics" pigeons are called "prostitutes."
Young birds need to devote a lot of time to conduct training every day. It is recommended that you take an early morning to practice in calm, calm weather. Pakistani birds need transparent air with updrafts. And in bad weather, they may not find a way home.
Only after completion of a short training of pigeons is breakfast waiting. Longer classes are held once a day (5 hours on average), and if the training lasted for a long time - 10-12 hours in a row - in the following days pigeons should be given a break to rest.
Features and stages of training
It is better to start training pigeons in the group. This is done in several stages:
- First of all, young animals are taught to the place.
- Then flights with the pigeon leader begin.
- When the pigeons settle, you can let them go on their own sorties.
It is important to observe safety precautions. Pakistanis sometimes disorient in space and when practicing somersaults lose their balance, height, and can even break. If the owner thinks that one of the birds does not hold well in the sky and there is a risk of falling, this individual is invited to "hold on pins": that is, pull down the fly feathers. After training, the pigeon will not lose orientation when performing the element.
Tricks and Dates
Soon birds will develop a special flight style. They rise high into the sky and begin to perform tricks, which glorified the Pakistani birds. The most recognizable acrobatic figures:
- It hangs for a long time in the air, rising so high that it can be difficult to see them from the ground. "Pakistanis" freeze in place with outstretched wings.
- Perform somersaults, accompanied by a battle - a loud flapping of wings.
- Doing jumps in the air, with each new somersault, climb higher and higher, which is called "going out into the pole."
In general, by one year (less often by 1.5-2), young flyers reach the level of skill that breeders expect from them. They hone the necessary level of coordination, now you can not worry about them. Trained “Pakistanis” are agile and strong, confidently hold in the sky, resist air currents, perform somersaults while maintaining balance. They spend a long time in the sky without prejudice to health, admiring their strength, speed and endurance.
Keeping Pakistani pigeons is not for everyone. They require a lot of attention to themselves, but not in terms of care, feeding, housing, but in terms of training. However, if you make a little effort and approach the breeding of birds responsibly, Pakistani pigeons will please the hosts with their flying qualities and acquired skills.
Posted by
0
Russia. City: Emelyanovo
Publications: 19 Comments: 0