I have been thinking about adding pigeons to the farm, but I'm really not interested in the "fooffy" show types. I really love heritage breeds, and after doing some searching I found that i really like the Texas pioneers. But... Because they are a utility breed no one seems to have them. And the "show" birds are (according to my research) notoriously infertile.. Apparently a desirable trait to sabotage anyone looking to breed them for "squabbling".. Also to me the new fangled show birds are a hideous abomination. They are bred to look very un-natural, it looks almost painful for them to stand the way they do!
Another frustration I don't get... So many people complain that the giant Utility birds are going the way of the dodo and need more breeders, but yet... The "fanciers" don't want them marketed for their original purpose. Meat! They want to 'change' them into show birds...who shows pigeons other than hard core fanciers? heck, Most people with chickens don't show them or go out of their way to buy quality breeders, OR breed their exsisting birds to the breed standard!
And yet, many breeds of poultry, cattle, swine, and equines have been saved by the standard they were originally bred for. Whats the taboo with pigeons?? I have been growing increasingly frustrated with the garbage, cold shoulders, and overall snobbery of pigeon hobbiests. People with utility birds hide it, out of fear of being labeled as "one of those people" that eat their birds. It would be so much nicer to purchase utility birds from small timers who know their birds, and take pride in breeding them for their meat quality rather than plumage! And save future breeders the hassle of having to go through large commercial farms that raise them in battery and only care about nickle and diming you to death! More breeders = more birds = the preservation of the breed!
Is anyone in Arizona, or the southwest still breeding QUALITY birds that aren't reproductively defunct?? I want good stock that is capable of owning up to their name sake.
Another frustration I don't get... So many people complain that the giant Utility birds are going the way of the dodo and need more breeders, but yet... The "fanciers" don't want them marketed for their original purpose. Meat! They want to 'change' them into show birds...who shows pigeons other than hard core fanciers? heck, Most people with chickens don't show them or go out of their way to buy quality breeders, OR breed their exsisting birds to the breed standard!
And yet, many breeds of poultry, cattle, swine, and equines have been saved by the standard they were originally bred for. Whats the taboo with pigeons?? I have been growing increasingly frustrated with the garbage, cold shoulders, and overall snobbery of pigeon hobbiests. People with utility birds hide it, out of fear of being labeled as "one of those people" that eat their birds. It would be so much nicer to purchase utility birds from small timers who know their birds, and take pride in breeding them for their meat quality rather than plumage! And save future breeders the hassle of having to go through large commercial farms that raise them in battery and only care about nickle and diming you to death! More breeders = more birds = the preservation of the breed!
Is anyone in Arizona, or the southwest still breeding QUALITY birds that aren't reproductively defunct?? I want good stock that is capable of owning up to their name sake.