Old German Cropper Pigeon origin description size ornaments colors comment and pictures gallery

Origin:  Germany. It is an old breed; some writers think it as old as the Old Holland Pouter. It is said to be similar to the Hungarian Giant Cropper and probably traces back to a common ancestry.

Description:  It is an exhibition breed, with great length of wing, tail, and feathers in contrast to its very short legs. The extension of the tips of the win flights to or, preferably, beyond the tips of the tail feathers are a much desired feature.

Size: Large, having a wingspread of three feet and more. Estimated weight is about 700 to 750 grams (about 25 to 26.5 ounces).

Ornaments: It is plain-headed and clean-legged. The crop of this breed is well developed but, because of the form of the body, it is inverted and pearlike in shape, sloping gradually to the body, rather than globular.

Colors: It is bred in black, blue barred or barless, red, mealy, yellow, mottled or tigered and other variations. Its eye is orange.

Comment: The breed is rare in the United States and seldom seen at shows. L. F. Tharp, of Charleston, South Carolina, brought back a number of pairs in December 1945 from Germany.

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: Encyclopedia of Pigeon breeds by Wendell Mitchell Levi, accepted everywhere as Mr. Pigeon

Old German Cropper Pictures Gallery