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Nikolaev pigeons are a breed of Ukrainian high-flying pigeons. Very popular in Ukraine and far beyond its borders. Fans of the breed appreciate Nikolaev pigeons for their unique circleless flight.
History of Nikolaev pigeons
The homeland of Nikolaev pigeons is the city of Nikolaev (Ukraine). It is assumed that unusual birds were brought to the Black Sea coast by sailors from Turkey, Spain and other countries. Pigeon breeders crossed them with local breeds of pigeons. As a result of long selection work in selecting pairs with certain flight functions, this breed was formed. At the beginning of the 19th century, in 1910, breed standards for Nikolaev pigeons were first established.
Their second name is cloud cutters, as they are capable of rising to a considerable height (up to clouds), sometimes completely disappearing from view. The selection work of breeders was aimed at developing the flight properties of Nikolaev pigeons. Coastal winds, warm climate, diet, and care have turned the pigeon into a unique bird with good flying qualities.
There is a known version about the origin of pigeons of this breed from Ancient Greece, and pigeons with an unusual “butterfly” flight style - from Poland. However, today these assumptions cannot be verified.
Features of 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 stay in the sky for a long time. The plumage is quite thick, the feathers on the wings are wide and quite mobile. The tail is large in size, elongated. The plumage on the tail and wings is elastic and elastic.
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 black whitetails.
Flight of Nikolaev pigeons
Of all the variety of high-flying breeds of pigeons, only Nikolaev pigeons have a unique flight style. Representatives of this breed do not make circular movements either when ascending or descending. They rise strictly vertically and so high that sometimes they disappear from view and “stand” in one place. Working with their wings, fluffing their tails, thereby forming a circle, the birds hang in the air for several hours, sometimes rising, sometimes falling slightly. The video of Nikolaev pigeons flying is simply amazing.
There are 4 types of flight:
- lark – in flight, the pigeon extends its wings along the body, moves them quickly, from time to time freezing in the air;
- butterfly – the pigeon places its wings at a certain angle (30°), flaps them often, and does not hover during the flight;
- end – the bird sets its wings at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the body, takes off strictly vertically in a “column”, and quickly gains altitude; does not flap its wings, but slightly flutters its tips; is the rarest type of flight;
- sickle or evert-sickle – horizontal take-off, putting the wings in front of the head and turning them in an arc (sickle).
Among the pigeons of the Nikolaev high-flying breed, butterfly-style flight is classic. Birds quickly learn this type of summer even without special training. Nikolaev high-flying end pigeons are the rarest, which is why they are so valued at various international exhibitions and competitions. They are distinguished by strength, endurance, vertical takeoff and beautiful landing. A video of 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 meet the following standards:
- body length does not exceed 40 cm;
- body tilt to the ground no more than 45 degrees;
- the back is wide, goes into a short neck;
- the breast is slightly convex;
- the head has smooth plumage, without a crest;
- beak is medium size, slightly curved;
- strong wings pressed tightly to the body;
- the tail section is located horizontally relative to the ground, has 16 tail feathers;
- paws dark red, without feathers;
- eyes yellow or orange.
The breed has extremely clear characteristics. If an individual differs in any way from the main indicators, 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 receive their names from the cities where they were bred. Thus, Kharkov, Donetsk, Kyiv 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 feathering on their legs appeared.
Any of the subspecies has a body structure adapted for flight. Nikolaev pigeons can stay in the sky for up to 10 hours. Chicks begin to take to the air at 1.5 months of age.
Colors of Nikolaev pigeons
If we talk about color, then before breeders did not pay much attention to it. The main thing was the style and duration of the flight. Today, Nikolaev high-flying pigeons have become more elegant, with a variety of colors. Unfortunately, this often has a negative impact on flight performance.
Nikolaev pigeons, with a varied palette of colors, have a tail that is almost always white. The following suits are distinguished:
- Martins – birds of a light color, with dark spots on the back, flight feathers of light or dark tones;
- hryvnias – white birds with a dark spot on the back of the head, which resembles a mane;
- corymbose (side-sided) – the sides and wings are colored, there is a small spot on the forehead;
- motley (murky) white-tailed – the feathers on the body of pigeons are light or dark, with contrasting splashes;
- solid - colored pigeons, but birds that are black or blue have a dark tail.
The main color of the plumage can be gray, blue, red, ash, marble.
Character of Nikolaev pigeons
Individuals of this breed are very hardy and energetic, with strong immunity. They can adapt to any conditions, including climatic ones, and are not picky about keeping and feeding. Their behavior is somewhat aggressive, but they are very caring parents for their chicks. A couple makes up to 3 clutches per year and incubates the chicks in turns. Baby Nikolaev pigeons also have good adaptive properties. They are hardy, just like adults.
Conditions of detention
By their nature, Nikolaev pigeons are quite unpretentious birds, but certain rules of maintenance and care must be followed.
One of the main rules is the separation of males and females during the winter months. At the beginning of February, during the mating period, they can be united again, and the resulting pairs will produce offspring.
It is important to keep pigeons in specially equipped premises - dovecotes or poultry houses. They should be as spacious as possible, protected from wind, drafts, and direct sunlight. It is recommended to regularly clean the poultry house of droppings and change the water in the bathhouse and drinking bowls daily.
The flock should be inspected every day. They, like all birds, are susceptible to some infections.If an unhealthy bird is discovered, the breeder must immediately remove it from the rest of the flock to a separate room and show it to a veterinarian.
The feeding diet should be aimed at strengthening muscles and maintaining energy reserves, 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 the bird down, but at the same time energizes it.
Breeding pigeons of the Nikolaev breed
Breeding Nikolaev pigeons is not a difficult task. As a rule, they mate for life. But when it comes to breeding, in order to obtain genetically pure offspring, the breeder selects pairs artificially. The Nikolaev breed of birds hatches eggs in turns. The chicks are born on the 19th-20th day. The breeder must promptly replace unfertilized eggs with dummies.
Until the age of one month, the female feeds the chicks with crop milk. Sometimes pigeon breeders have to replace parents and feed the chicks themselves, making a warm mixture of milk and pureed yolk. They should eat up to 6 times a day. It is imperative to teach babies to drink water by carefully dipping their beak into a container of water. During hot periods, you need to bathe the chicks, lowering them up to their necks into the water.
After a month, babies can be given small steamed grains, fruits and vegetables, and then gradually transferred to a full-fledged 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, pigeons should be accustomed to flying in an aviary, and then move on to training to 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 immediately before the competition. The rest of the time, loads should be moderate. It is better to conduct classes 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 keepers should visually inspect their flock of pigeons every day. You need to be able to distinguish between a healthy and a sick bird. A healthy pigeon is characterized by uniform plumage, smooth, clean mucous membranes, easy breathing, formed stool and interest in food.
Diseases can appear after contact with sick birds, rodents, stale water, or poor-quality food. The main diseases of Nikolaev pigeons:
- thrush – a fungal disease in which the bird is lethargic, with formations on the mucous membranes, and loose stools;
- anemia – more associated with poor quality nutrition, affects well-being and muscle tone;
- smallpox – expressed in damage to the skin and mucous membranes in the form of growths;
- paratyphoid – the intestines and nervous system are affected, manifested in lack of appetite, unsteadiness;
- psittacosis – the respiratory system suffers, characterized by weakness, difficulty breathing;
- coccidosis – intestinal disease, in which there is loose stool, poor appetite, cramps;
- 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 humidity level.It is imperative to do daily cleaning, change the water, wash and disinfect all containers. The breeder also needs to remember the importance of timely vaccination and the addition of vitamins and minerals to food.
Conclusion
Nikolaev pigeons are birds with an original, fascinating flight. A big plus is their endurance, resistance to disease and ease of care. That is why many breeders choose this unique breed.
