If some breeds of pigeons are grown for a unique coloring or pattern, then others are valued for the beauty of flight and battle. The latter are Baku war pigeons. Not in vain in their homeland, Azerbaijan, they are considered a national treasure. Birds were engaged in breeding in the city of Baku, in whose honor the breed was named.
The origin of the “Baku people”
The heyday of the breed occurred in the 50-60s of the 20th century, when Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union. Each pigeon breeder at that time tried to derive an increasingly interesting view, whose representatives would have the best characteristics for the game and summer.
Birds pass on their abilities by inheritance, but in order to reveal them, it is necessary to engage in its upbringing and training.
These are the descendants of the oldest breeds of pigeons, the cradle of which was Persia. They possessed greater endurance in comparison with other birds, and “wore” boots on their paws. According to the genetic code, “Baku People” are the closest relatives of Iranian representatives.
Bird exterior
The breed includes several species, which usually differ only in color. Breeders did not pursue the beauty of appearance, did not pay attention to the color, the pattern of the bird, because it was not brought out for a beauty contest. Hence a large color palette - from white and rare yellow to black. But regardless of external data, all “Baku People” are distinguished by the beauty of the battle and amazing flight.
These small birds have an oval neat head, it can be decorated with a crest or forelock. The transition to the beak is smooth, the forehead is round, the parietal part is rectangular. The beak is thin, even, in length does not exceed 25 mm, has a rounded tip. The eyes are brilliant, the color depends on the color of the plumage. The body is taut, muscular. The neck is long with a graceful bend. The back is wide, tapering towards the tail.
The tail is parallel to the ground and consists of 12 large feathers. Powerful, strong wings tightly fit to the body, their ends lie close to each other, but do not intersect, that is, they do not form a “cross”. On the paws, both the presence of feathers and their absence are allowed. The plumage of each species has its own color.
Varieties of Baku fighting
Below are the most common types of "Baku People":
- Chile. These are motley pigeons, characterized by a pale purple overflow in the chest and neck. Variegation is localized on the cheeks, head or tail. Their eyes are dull bright, often with a yellowish tinge. The beak is absolutely straight and white, but if the feathers on the head are dark, then it has a darker color.
Silky wax is undeveloped, painted white. The paws are densely covered with short feathers, the ends of the fingers are not feathery. Chilli are also found with a rich black color or a motley colored head with marble or white dots. These representatives prefer solo flights. - Marble. In appearance they resemble previous birds, but their color is speckled. In the plumage there are feathers of different colors, which are arranged alternately. Young representatives have more light pen, but they darken with age. Therefore, the darker the bird is colored, the older it is.
- Agbash (white-headed). These representatives can be of various colors, but they always have white feathers on their heads. In some birds, it is decorated with a voluminous forelock. Feet can be covered with plumage or remain bare. Possessing high adaptive abilities, they are common throughout the country.
- The cervix. Another look with "decoration" on the neck. The case has a plain light color, and a bright spot flaunts on the neck. Their head is very rarely decorated with a forelock, the neck does not have the usual bend. There are also colored spots in the tail. Eyes at the necks of cherry color, no eyelids.
- White cephalopods. In this form, all individuals are painted in a snow-white color, they are not allowed to any other color or the presence of inclusions. There is no plumage on the legs, and there is no forelock on the head.
- Red-tailed and black-tailed. These pigeons have either black or red tails, when like the rest of the body is covered with plain feathers, usually white. Often the head is decorated with a neat crest.
pigeons of chile
Marble Doves
pigeons Agbash (white-headed)
view of the dove of the Cervix
White cephalopods
view of a pigeon
black-tailed pigeon species
Exterior Disadvantages
There are a number of shortcomings in the exterior of the bird, affecting the assessment of specialists who determine the thoroughbredness of the Baku breed.
The birds are allowed to have beige eyelids, the neck is not bent, and the parietal part is more rounded, but there is no reason to speak of purebred individuals.
Unacceptable disadvantages are:
- eyes different in color;
- short body;
- thick, short neck;
- thick, short beak (with the exception of the high-flying subspecies);
- feathers grow on the fingers;
- plumage is loose, loose;
- humpbacked back;
- wings hang;
- the tail touches the ground.
If one of these shortcomings is present, then the individual is rejected.
Flight qualities and game
Representatives of the Baku breed prefer to fly in bulk. They soar high into the sky, which is often impossible to see. In flight, birds can be from 2 hours, according to experts, the flight duration reaches 10-12 hours. So that the pigeon always returns home and does not get lost, it must be properly trained. Training and education required.
The cleanliness and correctness with which the pigeon enters the pillar are considered the main indicators of the quality of the game. Fighting requires a lot of energy and strength in a bird. After 5-6 hours, she should be returning home. An intense battle is observed for the first 3.5 hours.
Types of battle of Baku pigeons:
- Output to the post - This type of battle is very much appreciated by breeders. The dove energetically and noisily flaps its wings, and rises vertically. Then he suddenly and abruptly throws back his head and makes a somersault, which is accompanied by a loud bang. A trained bird can perform successively up to 10 such lifts.
- Dependent battle - the exact opposite of the previous one. The bird rises slowly, slowly and makes a somersault, as if being in one place, that is, hovering. Then it continues to rise. Flip, though slower, but clicks must be present.
- Post with screw - the pigeon rises like a spiral.
- Tape fight - not all experts love him, but some consider him to be a lack of poultry. The pigeon performs pirouettes, but during normal flight and at the same height.
Workout
The beauty and duration of summer is already inherent in birds at the genetic level, it remains to develop them and enjoy the game of their pets.
Baku pigeons need to be trained regularly, devoting a lot of time for this. Since the bird spends a lot of energy in flight, it must be given high-quality, highly nutritious food.
They begin to train young animals from 30-40 days of age. It is not worth pulling with the start of training, since the chances of raising a champion fall along with an increase in the age of the pigeon. Exceptions are made for birds that are slowly developing. Pigeon growers begin their training when they are 2 months old.
It should be borne in mind that if the “Baku People” score early - 15 days after the first flight, then after the “molt” they can change the game. The best results are shown by individuals who began to play from the age of five months.
Birds do not immediately flip. A young individual may lose height or fall on its tail, be patient, very soon it will succeed. Her unique style of play and summer is formed only by the age of 2-3 years. No more than eight individuals are released into the sky at once, who learn to beat.
The basic rules of training
Here are the most common mistakes that beginner pigeons make:
- Doves are given rest from training 2 days before laying and one day after it. Newly-made parents are shown “maternity leave” until the chicks are 7 days old.
- Training is carried out in open space, it is impractical to conduct them in the city, and in good weather. In fog or rain, the bird may get lost.
- If you are going to competitions, then do not feed the bird with heavy food 4 days before them. An hour before the start of the competition they need to be drunk. Pigeons are transported in spacious cages, avoiding crowding.
- It is not necessary to let out young along with old individuals, but females with males.
It also happens that after training the bird does not return home. In most cases, this is due to bad weather conditions (thunderstorm, rain, fog, strong wind and others). Experts recommend taking an interest in weather reports before releasing, given that Baku pigeons spend a lot of time in the sky.
According to statistics, birds bred in the same place in the third or fourth generation are very rarely lost. And there is a scientific explanation for this. Pigeons have a very well-developed genetic memory. This should be borne in mind when a couple is kept in an aviary and is prevented from flying out. The skills of returning home will not be passed on to their offspring.
Conditions of detention
The life expectancy of a pigeon is on average 30 years, but provided that they have created comfortable conditions of detention. Otherwise, the bird will live in 2, or even 3 times less.
Dovecote size
Since this breed is distinguished by flying qualities, its representatives should have the opportunity to “train” their wings at any time - not only at large, but also indoors. In addition, they must move freely inside and make small flights.
Therefore, 10 birds should have a minimum of 15 square meters. m, and the height of the room is 150-200 cm. If you can increase the size, then increase.
Temperature, ventilation
All year round, the room is maintained at a positive temperature - in the summer to + 21 ° C, in winter it is enough that the thermometer does not fall below 5 ° C of heat. Sudden changes in temperature should be avoided, pigeons react poorly to them, as well as to heat.
In a hot place they breathe heavily, open their beaks wide. Especially from high temperature plump pigeons suffer. In the heat, pigeons are not allowed to fly, this is a very big load for the body. Overheating of the bird is observed in regions with a hot climate, especially if the perches are under the roof. To lower the temperature, it is recommended that the roof be hosed with cold water.
Hypothermia is most dangerous for young animals in early spring. Their growth slows down, developmental retardation occurs, bowel function is disrupted, and the latent course of diseases is activated. A chilled chick falls into a stupor. On cold nights, pigeon parents need to be returned to the nest so that they warm their children. Or they put a nest with young animals at night in a warm place, and in the morning return it to its place.
Heating in a dovecot, according to experienced breeders, is not practical, it is enough to fill all the cracks and insulate the floors. In the autumn and winter months, the litter is regularly changed, preventing it from becoming damp. In severe frosts, birds are given a warm drink and nutritious food.
When breathing, the bird, like all living things, emits carbon dioxide. If there is no ventilation, then its concentration increases, which can not adversely affect their health. They refuse to eat, bones become brittle and brittle due to leaching of calcium. On the other hand, during the decomposition of excrement, ammonia is released. And its content is just more in the upper part of the dovecote. Therefore, air must circulate all the time, and not stagnate. This can be achieved by installing ventilation, but ensuring that there are no drafts.
Perches and Nests
The room is set smooth wooden perches. Each pigeon should have its own individual place, where it will rest from long flights and numerous trainings. During the construction of perches in the form of shelves, they can be paired.
If there are no nests in the house, then the couple will independently make it from improvised materials, in a suitable place for themselves. But it is worth remembering that they will be attached to him forever, and it will be impossible to resettle them. Therefore, it is better to equip the nests in advance. They usually serve as small wooden boxes in the shape of a square, without a top. Litter must be used natural - hay, straw.
Drinking bowl, feeding trough, bathing
Breeders with experience recommend installing several feeders, separately for young animals and separately for old individuals, to avoid unnecessary quarrels and fights.
They are made from natural materials, provide for the protection of the feed from the ingress of dirt, excrement, garbage. Typically, the feeder consists of two parts: a removable tray, where the grain falls out and lids. Such a design does not allow the bird to rake feed with its paws.
A drinker is bought in a specialized store or made independently from a bottle and a bowl. The volume of water should correspond to the number of birds. Otherwise, they will suffer from thirst.
Another necessary thing in the room, as in the other house, is the bathing (deep containers). For pigeons provide two species:
- with water where the bird will wash and clean its feathers;
- dry - it is filled with fine sand, dry wormwood. This helps the bird get rid of pests and dead feathers, and maintain its plumage in order.
In the case when the bird is heavily contaminated or infected with insects, it should be redeemed independently using special medications. Some veterinary clinics have this service, so you can ask for help there too.
Litter and cleanliness requirements
The dovecot is laid with a flooring made of natural materials - hay, shavings, sawdust, straw, with a thickness of at least 5 cm. Litter replacement depends on the number of livestock, the more heads, the more often you need cleaning. The minimum number of cleanings once a week. Once a month they carry out disinfection using a blowtorch fire, having previously washed the walls, floor, and perches with soapy water.
Letok
The summer is a small area of 15x15 cm, on which pigeons land and take off. And also it serves as a transition from the premises to the walking area. One let is designed for one pair. How many pairs live in the dovecote, so many sites do.
Feeding and watering
Proper and rich in microelements and vitamins nutrition is the key to a good state of plumage and bird health. A diet consisting of a variety of foods, and adherence to the feeding regimen, prevents stretching of the goiter.
Pigeons are fed 2 times a day - morning and evening. Some breeders give their wards ready-made industrial feed. It already contains the optimal amount of nutrients. Only soft food is suitable for chicks.
The basis of the diet is grain. Preference is given to the following types:
- A large proportion should be accounted for millet. Grains that are bright in color are chosen, in which the content of vitamins is greater.
- Wheat is also the basis of the diet for pigeons, but it is poor in trace elements - calcium. Mineral supplements are required.
- The bird eats oats reluctantly because of the high content of fiber and husk in it, although it is well absorbed.
- Barley and rice are considered the most useful cereals. The first is given in crushed form. The disadvantage of rice cereal is the high cost of the product.
- Corn - rich in macro- and microelements; varieties with small grains are chosen. With heavy use of corn, the pigeon develops obesity.
Oil crops must be added to the feed:
- sunflower;
- flaxseed is nutritious and acts as a laxative;
- rape;
- hemp is a favorite delicacy of a bird, but in large quantities it can be harmful, it is enough to give a small portion of seed, pre-boil them.
Fresh herbs are a source of vital substances. Shredded greens are regularly given to pigeons in the summer. These are leaves of dandelion, lettuce, nettle, spinach.
The menu changes depending on the season of the year. So, for example, in summer it consists of wheat, peas, oats and corn, taken in 10 parts and barley, oats and lentils in 20 parts each. In winter, cereal diversity is not so great. The mixture is prepared from barley and oats (40% each) and corn, lentils (10% each).
During the molting period - peas, lentils, oats for 20% and millet, wheat, barley, corn for 10%.
The diet of young animals should not contain oats. The share of millet is increased to 30%, wheat and barley are taken at 20%, the rest - peas, lentils and corn at 10%.
In winter, the pigeon does not tolerate the lack of vitamins, so it is fed with vitamin supplements.
The drinking bowl should always have fresh, clean water. Change water often.
About the neighborhood with another bird
Pigeons usually live in families of the same breed. If there is a desire to have several birds of different species at once, they immediately acquire young animals at one time. Chicks get used to each other faster, and there are practically no fights between them.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
The main advantages of the breed are:
- excellent adaptive qualities, the bird easily acclimates to a new place and climatic conditions;
- excellent flying qualities and game;
- variety of colors;
- they have endurance, which allows them to make long flights;
- pigeons are undemanding in care and maintenance;
- easily find their way home;
- they are immune to disease.
The disadvantages include:
- predisposition to genetic defects;
- waste of time for training;
- a young bird may not return home without additional teaching;
- the bird needs a lot of high-quality feed.
Growing Tips
To breeders of Baku pigeons, in order to grow successful specimens, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations:
- Buy pigeons from trusted and experienced pigeon breeders.
- For breeding, choose the best birds, focusing on the results of training.
- Only breed purebred breeds with the best characteristics.
“Baku People” is the favorite breed of many pigeon breeders. Thanks to easy adaptation to any conditions, they are distributed throughout the CIS. The captivating beauty of the flight of the bird, unique pirouettes, accompanied by clicks and pops, make it recognizable everywhere.