Hungarian high-flying - a fairly common breed of pigeons. Unpretentious care, ease of breeding, a variety of colors of plumage - the reasons why these birds are becoming more and more popular every year. Do not confuse this breed with the Hungarian giants: unlike the latter, high-flying ones are able to climb to great heights, and therefore got their name.
Description
High-flying Hungarians first appeared in 1941, although information about attempts to breed a new breed from Budapest stork pigeons has been recorded since the 19th century. As a result, breeders managed to create a new species of birds, combining both the ability to fly well and the decorative component.
General characteristics
A specific external feature of the breed is a violation of classical proportions. Unlike the overwhelming majority of pigeons, Hungarian high-flying with a small but strong body has a relatively small head, against which the bird's eyes seem huge, and a small beak - harmonious. This imbalance is especially pronounced in females. Otherwise, high-flying Hungarians do not have any aesthetic features (bends, bulges, remarkable tail, etc.), and their appearance can be described as simple. In length, an individual can reach about 35 centimeters.
A distinctive behavioral feature of high-flying Hungarians is the ability to rise to such a height that they cease to be visible to the human eye from the ground. A strong and powerful torso allows the bird to fly not only high, but also for a long time - from 6 to 10 hours.
A well-developed maternal instinct is another distinguishing feature of Hungarians. Experienced breeders have more than once successfully used such beautiful mother hens and nurses, such as Hungarian high-flying doves, to raise chicks of other breeds.
Purity criteria
A bird of this breed can be characterized by the following featured:
- Eyes. Hungarians have fairly convex eyes with yellow parchment eyelids and an iris of all shades of dark chocolate: from dark brown to almost black.
- Head. Smooth enough, without sharp lines of transitions and kinks, mostly oval.
- Chest. Thanks to a slightly broad and barely convex rib cage, enveloped by developed muscles, the physique of birds is equated to a dense one.
- Beak. Pointed down, thickened, bright. On average, it reaches about 1.5 centimeters in length.
- Wings. The wings tightly adjacent to the body boast wide flaps. The ends do not converge and are located on both sides of the tail.
- Paws. Medium length, located quite wide. Decorated with claws of one with a beak shade.
- Plumage. The color scheme of the feathers of a Hungarian high-flying pigeon can vary and can be both snow-white and gray-black. As a rule, the plumage at the ends of the wings, neck and head of the bird contrasts with the rest of the body. White representatives of the breed are characterized by a speckled head and a uniform color of the feather cover throughout the rest of the body.
- Back. A broad back, tapering from the shoulders, adds visual power to the bird.
- Tail. Standard and contains the standard number of medium-sized steering feathers - 12 pieces that do not reach the ground.
- Neck. It is also medium in size, tapering in the direction from the torso to the head, and in the neck area is noticeably curved.
Rejection
To achieve cleanliness of the breed, as a rule, is not difficult for the breeder. However, sometimes the emerged individuals show signs according to which this representative of high-flying Hungarians cannot be considered purebred:
- the length of the bird exceeds 45 centimeters;
- excessively long or shortened paws;
- an enlarged head that looks harmonious with the body;
- protruding forehead above the beak;
- multicolored irises;
- beak from 2 centimeters;
- whitish eye rings.
Content
Unlike ducks or chickens, pigeons need more space for life, and their habitat should be removed from the ground. In this regard, the construction of a dovecote in the attic of a house or the construction of a specialized room outside will be an excellent choice.
Attic Settlement
Flight pigeons are in dire need of sufficient sunlight - it helps them avoid diseases and maintain immunity (especially young animals). Therefore, the attic is considered the best, the windows of which overlook the south (in extreme cases, the southeast) side. Otherwise, it is better to engage in the construction of a separate structure.
In order to settle high-flying pigeons, the premises must be carefully emptied of debris, disinfected in it, and patched all cracks and holes. Perches and nests are installed around the perimeter of the attic, and feeders and drinking bowls should be placed on the floor.
If restrictions on the freedom of birds are planned, then it will be necessary to build an aviary - a spacious cage from a grid with small cells. The size of the fence is calculated based on the fact that 1 pair of Hungarians will need about 0.5 cubic meters. m of space.
It is also necessary to equip the windows for the departure of pigeons. To do this, cut small squares with a facet of 20 centimeters so that drafts do not form in the improvised dovecote.
The construction of the dovecote
Before embarking on the construction, it is necessary to determine the future dimensions of the premises. As in the case of the construction of an aviary, it is necessary to adhere to the ratio: for a couple of birds, 1/2 cubic meter. meter house. In order to separate females and males, young animals and tall individuals, if necessary, the possibility of temporary partitions should also be provided.
If you plan to start more than 30 Hungarians, the room should be divided into compartments, each of which will accommodate up to 15 high-flying pairs.
Often there is a need for tools, feed and bedding, so it is recommended that the household sector, in which all supplies and equipment can be stored, be located close to the birds. In this case, a two-story dovecote comes to the rescue, where on the ground floor you can place everything you need, and on the second floor you can equip a pigeon with a permanent residence.
You can build a dovecote using various materials:
- Metal base. In this case, the structure is a structure sheathed from the inside.
- Brickwork. Durable room that can last for many years. This type of house should be plastered inside: both the walls and the ceiling.
- Wood. Wooden dovecote should be treated with specialized means from dampness, mold and beetles, otherwise its service life leaves much to be desired. Inside you can sheathe plywood or plaster.
When building a dovecote, you should consider:
- A wooden (plank) floor is the best choice for the future house, which is constructed by tightly fitting planed boards. The roof of the building can be made sloping (in this case, the slope should be at least 20 °) or gable.
- Windows in the dovecote for high-flying Hungarians should make up at least a tenth of the total wall area. During the construction, it is important not to place them opposite each other (so that they do not create a draft in the open state), and also to close them with a grill, which prevents the birds from flying out freely.
- Small windows intended for departure should be located at a height of one and a half meters from the floor.
- Windows are not the only light source needed by high-flying Hungarians, and even in the sunniest regions it is necessary to equip artificial lighting, which will allow you to adjust the duration of daylight hours under any circumstances.
- Strong doors with solid locks - reliable protection of such valuable birds as high-flying Hungarian pigeons. They should be of a suitable size for the breeders - such that they can pass through the doorway while holding all the necessary equipment. A double door will be especially good: the outer metal will provide a sufficient level of protection, and the inside, covered with a mesh, will improve the flow of fresh air into the dovecot during the warm seasons and will help to get rid of excess dampness.
- Organizing ventilation will also not be superfluous, even with frequent ventilation. To do this, you can make two small windows protected by a grate: the bottom is 15-20 centimeters from the floor, and the top is 10 centimeters under the ceiling. Doors should also be provided to allow heat to remain in the freeze.
- Along with daylight, a certain temperature regime should also be maintained. For a comfortable life, high-flying Hungarians should provide heat in the range from 7 to 20 degrees. In cold regions, in order to do without additional heating, it is recommended to construct double walls with a layer of heat-insulating material between them.
Walking Aviary
No matter how comfortable and convenient for the bird the dovecote would be, Hungarians are a breed that loves freedom and walks in the fresh air. The construction of walking enclosures (volumetric cells outside) will fully satisfy the need of pigeons for sunbathing. When keeping birds in the attic, a walking area can be organized right on the roof, if it is a penthouse.
Perches
Each bird should have a personal sitting place, as well as a base for creating a nest in the mating season. Perches, which are square bars from 2 to 4 cm. The distance from the perch to the ceiling should be at least 40 centimeters, for larger females this indicator can be increased to half a meter.
All perches and other internal structures will be more difficult, but more convenient in the future, to make removable and collapsible in order to significantly facilitate cleaning and disinfection procedures.
For the future increase in the number of pigeons on the walls of the structure, place shelves with narrow sides that are 80 cm long and 40 cm wide. Later on, you can install steam boxes on them, and then nests.
Nests
As a nest for high-flying Hungarians, both round and quadrangular designs, with a width of 20-25 centimeters and 7-centimeter sides, are excellent. Dimensions may vary depending on the dimensions of the pigeons, so the main condition when choosing a suitable container is the width of the structure so that the female is neither crowded nor too spacious.
As the material for the nest, the raw materials remaining after the construction of the dovecote can be used: plywood, wooden slats. The round nest can be easily molded from plaster.
Feeders
Restriction of free walking of Hungarians and abundant nutrition in the complex often lead to obesity of birds. Therefore, the amount of food eaten must be strictly dosed, and automatic feeders in this case are an inappropriate option. The way out in this situation is standard containers with sides of 3-4 centimeters, allowing pigeons to eat food without straining their neck.
A few feeders will be required:
- For grain. Narrow boxes divided into sectors by the number of individuals are suitable as a basis.
- For green vegetable feed and vegetables. It is a small container of easily washable materials.
- For mineral top dressing. Temporary feeders or containers smaller than cereals are suitable.
Drinking bowls
Designs can be different, but the most convenient for high-flying Hungarians are vacuum or automatic drinkers.
During the winter season, water is highly recommended for birds to heat. And when using open drinking bowls, water should be changed daily.
The option of personally created drinking bowls is not excluded. To do this, it is enough to take a large (at least half a liter) metal can, cut off the top and bend the sharp edges inward, thereby eliminating the risk of accidental injury to the bird when drinking. The height of the sides should be made so that the pigeon can freely touch the very bottom of the tank with its beak.
Pools
Any flying breed of pigeons feels the need not only for sunbathing, but also for ordinary baths, so it is necessary to organize improvised pools where Hungarians can swim. Any container that is larger than a bird and with sides about 5-7 centimeters will do.
Care
A day after the dovecote is fully stocked and the pigeons are populated, there will be a need to clean the bird's residence. To keep the house clean and the birds comfortable and full, certain tools and knowledge of the general rules for grooming will be required.
Essential Tools
For proper care of high-flying Hungarians, the following accessories and equipment will be required:
- mortars: for grain and mineral feed;
- cans;
- buckets;
- rake;
- containers and containers for storing grain and other bird food inaccessible to rodents;
- water cans;
- coarse sieve;
- shovel;
- brooms;
- cutter for green feed;
- carrying cages;
- scrapers;
- scoops.
Cleaning
Regular litter replacement is the key not only to quick cleaning, but also to maintain the temperature regime in the pigeon. Sawdust or dry peat can serve as material. But you have to refuse from the flooring of foam balls: Hungarians can swallow them, which ultimately leads to the death of birds from intestinal obstruction.
Each time changing the litter, including in the nests, a little tobacco, wood ash or dried bitter wormwood can be poured under the material. Such an additive will become a good natural and environmentally friendly protection of birds from uninvited guests - parasites and insects.
Pigeon feeders and drinking bowls should be cleaned every day, without using aggressive detergents during the cleaning process. It is recommended to clean perches and change the flooring at least once a week. If the litter is sufficiently dense, then it should be completely replaced once every 3-4 days.
General cleaning, during which a complete disinfection is carried out in the dovecote (including both the premises and equipment), the breeder should be carried out 2 times a year, for example, in November and May. If the walls of the structure are covered with whitewash, then it should also be updated once every six months.
First Aid Kit
Compliance with the owner of all the rules and precautions for caring for high-flying Hungarians minimizes the risk of bird disease or injury to them to a minimum, but such incidents are not excluded. The breeder should be prepared for this and stock up with all the necessary first aid equipment in advance:
- boric acid;
- cotton and bandage;
- veterinary scissors;
- Chloramphenicol;
- adhesive plaster;
- sets of needles;
- potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate);
- tweezers;
- with a scalpel;
- syringes with a volume of 1 to 3 milliliters.
About common diseases of pigeons and their treatment - read here.
Before the cold weather begins, it will not be superfluous to purchase vitamins that will help the birds strengthen their immunity before the winter season and survive it without getting sick:
- Introvit A + Oral;
- Undevit;
- Chiktonik;
- vitamin C;
- fish fat.
Thanks to vitamin support, your pigeons will be strong and hardy.
Nutrition
A distinctive feature of the diet of high-flying Hungarians from other breeds is that the breed does not consume animal feed.In this regard, the standard combined feed for representatives of the pigeon family is an inappropriate option, and you will have to make the feed yourself (or purchase compound feed specially developed for this breed).
Diet
The nutrition of high-flying Hungarians depends on many factors: time of year, bird life span, age and living conditions.
For example, in winter season The poultry diet should include the following components:
- oats - 40%;
- barley - 40%;
- corn - 10%;
- lentils - 10%.
In winter, in addition to top-dressing with vitamins, the pigeon's grain nutrition can be diluted with grated apples and carrots.
IN warm seasons The diet of high-flying Hungarians contains more ingredients, but in a smaller proportion:
- peas - 20%;
- millet - 20%;
- barley - 20%;
- vetch - 10%;
- buckwheat - 10%;
- corn - 10%;
- wheat - 10%.
Mating period also requires birds to follow a certain grain diet:
- oats - 20%;
- millet - 20%;
- barley - 20%;
- vetch - 15%;
- peas - 15%;
- corn - 10%.
For young animals the average diet is the following combination of grain and their proportions:
- millet - 30%;
- wheat - 20%;
- barley - 20%;
- vetch - 10%;
- peas - 10%;
- corn - 10%.
During periods when high-flying Hungarians replace plumage (molting), their nutrition should be as diverse as possible, while remaining balanced:
- peas - 20%;
- oats - 20%;
- vetch - 10%;
- corn - 10%;
- millet - 10%;
- wheat - 10%;
- lentils - 10%;
- barley - 10%.
At transportation birds need a minimum of components:
- wheat - 50%;
- vetch - 30%;
- corn - 20%.
Mineral supplements
High-flying Hungarian pigeons, like any other animal, need not only nutrients and vitamins, but also micro and macro elements. The breeder can compensate for their shortage by resorting to using ordinary sand. For this purpose, large, preferably river or quarry, sand is suitable, but the sea will have to be abandoned. As an alternative, fine gravel can be used.
Mineral supplements can be purchased ready-made or made independently. For a self-prepared mineral complex for high-flying Hungarians, the following components will be required:
- vitriol - 1 teaspoon;
- small crumbs of red brick - 2 tablespoons without a slide;
- meat and bone meal - 1 teaspoon;
- river sand - 1 teaspoon;
- cobalt sulfate - 1 teaspoon;
- old plaster - 1 tablespoon;
- calcium carbonate - 1 teaspoon;
- beaten eggshell (from boiled eggs) - 1 teaspoon;
- saline solution (2 grams of salt per liter of water) - 1 teaspoon.
Thoroughly mix all dry ingredients in crushed form and pour with saline, and form small layers from the resulting “test”. Allow them to dry completely (from a few days to weeks - depending on the humidity in the room and temperature) and periodically put them in a feeder for mineral top dressing.
Breeding
Hungarian high-flying pigeons breed in different periods. Time depends on the climate of a particular region, but most often the mating season begins with the first spring heat.
The fertility of high-flying Hungarians depends on age: the most prolific individuals are mature pigeons, which produce about 90% of fertilized eggs. In young and old birds, this figure is about 60-65%.
A week after copulation, the Hungarians begin the incubation period, which takes about a week, in which the female brings a couple of eggs with an interval of 1.5 days.
Doves hatch eggs for about 2.5 weeks. Fluctuations can be in both directions and depend on temperature and weather conditions in the place of residence. In warm dovecote, the first chicks may appear already on the 16th day, while in colder regions the offspring appears later - after 18-19 days.
Both parents incubate eggs in turn, only occasionally leaving the nest for food and drink. In the first few days it is better not to disturb the birds, and the cleaning procedures should be postponed to another time.
After about 4 days, you can check the eggs for fertility. To do this, take the egg as accurately and carefully as possible and enlighten it with a light source or ovoscope. If a dark spot and red veins diverging from it are distinguishable inside, the egg is fertilized, and replenishment will appear from it.
Chicks are born blind, without plumage, and the first time their parents are feeding. As soon as the young growth is ready to eat on its own, it should provide a high-calorie diet, not forgetting fresh clean water. Young chicks have an enviable appetite and can eat more adults, which is the norm.
How to feed the chick yourself in case the baby's parents cannot do this is described in the next article.
Pigeons of the Hungarian high-flying breed do not require specific conditions from the breeder. For a comfortable existence, they need only the simplest dovecote, a bit of personal space and a well-composed diet. Compliance with the rules and recommendations by the breeder will ensure trouble-free, rapid breeding of offspring.