King Pigeon with Origin Description Size Ornaments Color Comment Pictures and Videos

Origin: The United States. The white king was originated in the state of New Jersey about 1890 from crosses of the Duchess, the Homer, the Maltase and the Runt-presumably all self whites.

The Silver King (genetically not silver but barred brown) originated in the state of California about 1909. Apparently there were two sources: in one there was a mating of Silver Mondain with a cross of Silver Runt, Silver Maltase and Silver homer. In the other there was a cross of Silver Maltase and Silver Runt.

In 1932 the American King Club voted recognition to blue, red, yellow and dun Kings.

Description: The King is a dual-purpose breed, being now used for both squab production (for food) and for exhibition. The exhibition King has lost some of the rapidity of production of the utility King.

Size: The exhibition King in the United States is a large, hard-feathered breed. The standard of the American King Club prescribes: height 11.75 inches, width of chest 5 inches, tip of tail to chest extremity 9.5 inches. The weights prescribed are: Old birds 30 to 37 ounces and Young birds 28 to 34 ounces

Ornaments: The King should be clean-legged and plain-headed. It has no ornaments.

Colors: White, silver (barred brown), blue barred, red self, yellow self, dun self, black self and A. O. C. (the standard penalizes A. O. C.’s 10 points when in competition with other colors).

Comment: For forty years the King has been one of the most popular breeds in the United States, both for exhibition and for commercial squab production.

Seven steps must follows for Pigeon growing:

The requirements for pigeon breeding are simple, but they must be followed to be successful.

There should be no relaxing or neglect at any time, for it is much easier to prevent trouble than to eliminate disease, parasites or vermin once these have occurred.

1. A dry house with the inside protected from rain or snow.
2. Separate houses for mated pairs and odd birds.
3. A flypen, if the breed requires one that dries out easily.
4. A suitable feed ration protected from contamination.
5. A suitable mineral ration protected from contamination.
6. Water suitable for human consumption protected from contamination.
7. Suitable nesting materials.

If any one of the seven is neglected, trouble of some sort will eventually occur.

References: Wendell Mitchell Levi (1891-1976), accepted everywhere as Mr. Pigeon

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