show help

german owls rock · July 24, 2008

hey ive got a show coming up do and of you have any tips for grooming pigeons ??? i dont meen to be cheeky but i have just started and i dont know what to do i need tips for german shield owls , and brimingham rollers, tipplers

gangster · July 24, 2008

make sure they are de liced ,,,make sure feet are clean including nails, make sure all feathers are straight if not a bit of steam helps..

gangster · July 24, 2008

the npa do a book on breed standards i think its£38.....it covers most all fancy breeds available from the npa....chrissy n pjc are more up on it maybe they could help

pjc · July 25, 2008

You can also find the standards on the NPA site.

As gangster says they need to be clean, no lice etc. If you give your birds regular baths and the loft is kept reasonably clean without the birds being overcrowded they should keep themselves clean.

You will always get the odd bird that gets a bit of muck on its flights or under its tail etc, these you can usualy wipe clean the night before the show. Never bath the birds within 48hrs of the show otherwise the feathers will not have regained their natural bloom.

A good idea is to basket the birds the evening before the show if penning is in the morning, then an hour before you leave for the show take each bird out of the basket (show basket) any muck on there feet will flake off to save washing and wipe the ring clean with a damp cloth.

Never wash the feet on the day or the night before as they will glow red like beacons!

Have fun, and good luck with your first show!

Phil

pjc · July 25, 2008

German Shield Owl

Origin,

a very old breed, the 'Breed' Ancestor of all the German Owls, bred during the early 1880's from Owl Type Breeds from Asia Minor and North Africa, resulting in a 'Gem' of a Head structure, short Beak and fine Form. Breeds possibly use were the Anatolian Owl, Egyptian (African) Owl and Turbits of the Old Type.

Overall impression,

short, broad and rounded, with a Proud Stance and a well formed Jabot or Chest Frill.

Head,

desired as round as possible, like a Ball, broad, with a full Forehead, full Back Skull and with either a Peak-Crest, Shell(Round) Crest or Plain Headed.

Eye,

Large, Dark and placed virtualy in the Centre of the Head/(Face). (Eye-Cere Pale)

Beak,

a short, Broad 'Stump' desired with good substance to both over and under Beak (with a wide 'Gape'), the Profile from the under-Beak over the Forehead to the Back of Skull to be a perfect 'Round', the Middle Beak-line to be in-line with the lower edge of the Eye-Cere,

both Over and Under Beak must be clearly visable and Flesh colour.

Neck,

short and full, the Front held in a graceful backward Curve with a well defined Dewlap.

Breast,

broad, full, rounded and pronounced.

Back,

short, broad across the Shoulders and sloping.

Wings,

held close to the Body, well closed lightly held on the Edge of the Tail.

Tail,

short and well closed.

Legs,

short Thighs, well covered by the Belly Feathers, lower Leg unfeathered.

Feather,

well developed Jabot (Chest Frill)

Colours, Blue with Black Bars and Chequer, Black, Dun,

Red, Yellow, Dilute Blue and Dilute Blue Chequer,

Dilute Brown, Mealy and Cream.

Colour and Markings,

only the Shield is coloured, the Rest of the feathering is White, desired are 8 to 10 White Primaries but 6 or 7 is no Fault as long as the Oval Shield Shape is distinctly Visable.

the Shield must have no White Feathers or the white no Coloured Feathers evident. some Coloured Feathers in the Thigh or very slight colour/Marking Faults are not Grave Faults.

Faults,

long Body, narrow/shallow breast, narrow, flat Forehead, Head Profile other than Round. 'Overshot', long or thin Beak, failing a distinct Dewlap or jabot, open or hanging Wings, Red Eye-Cere, badly formed Crest (where present).

Order of importance,

Breed Type and Balance, Head and Beak, Figure, Posture, Jabot, Markings and Colour.

german owls rock · July 25, 2008

hey i have been told to grate chalk and rub it in to the feathers what is ur opinions on this because i dont want to ruin my babys oh and btw nealy all of my pigeons are pearl eyed do this effect the standerd ??

german owls rock · July 26, 2008

hey guys thanks for your help i real apreciate it

pjc · July 26, 2008

grated chalk would be 2 course, if the birds are clean and havn't been bathed to near the show they will carry natural bloom. To be honest most fancy pigeon people don't put a huge amount of effort into there shows unlike the preperation we put into show racers.

Phil