Turkish pigeons: where does the name takla come from, their colors, description of the breed and breeding

Pigeon lovers breed many different breeds, among which Turkish war pigeons stand out in particular. They are also called takla. In translation, this word means “somersault”, and they were called “battle” for a specific flight. Birds beat the air with their wings, which is accompanied by special sounds. They are called "battle", hence the colorful unusual epithet - "fighting pigeons".

History of Breeding

These birds come from East Asia, but they became the most famous and widespread in Turkey, hence their name. Active selection in this country has led to the fact that Turkish pigeons are now popular in dozens of countries.Breeding and selection began under the Seljuks. Wandering, they settled on the territory of present-day Turkey, bringing with them not only culture, but also bred breeds of animals and birds. Among them were the ancestors of the Takla.

The first information about birds dates back to 1055, and in 1071 they became known in Europe. The nobility bred Turkish pigeons for fun, and the sultans used beautiful and unusually flying birds as gifts for crowned persons. So takla pigeons gradually conquered the whole world.

Description and breed features

Takla pigeons are turmans, that is, a species that is capable of tumbling in the air during flight. The name itself refers to this specific feature, emphasizing that these birds not only "beat" the air, but also roll over.

The following suits of Turkish pigeons are found:

1. White.
2. Gray, or bluish.
3. Motley.

Birds can stay in the air for up to 10 hours. Takla are slender graceful birds with a small head, a straight long neck and well-developed flying muscles. Pigeon eyes are dark with light eyelids and prominent brow ridges. The beak is pale pink, small, the legs are pubescent, the feathers are folded so that they resemble lace panties. Depending on how the feathers are located on the head, they form the original forelock, which gave rise to several "forelock" varieties of pigeons.

Pros and cons of the breed

Takla breed has the following traits:

Pros and consThe original way of flying.Unusual appearance.Excellent orientation in space.Sharp mind and ingenuity.The ability to do tricks in the air.The female can lay eggs throughout the year.High price.Relative rarity of purebred birds.The need to pay much attention to the education, training and education of Turkish pigeons.The need for cleanliness in the dovecote, drinkers and feeders.Birds need a complete balanced diet.

Turkish takla pigeons are the national pride of Turkey, so purebred birds are reluctant to export to other countries.

Nuances of content

Takla pigeons are demanding on the cleanliness of the dovecote, drinking water and freshness of food. If the owner does not take care to make a nest for them, the pair will create it themselves in the place where it sees fit. But in this case, it will not be possible to move the nest - the birds will stubbornly rush where they decided for the first time.Therefore, arranging housing for Turkish pigeons should be done in advance.

How to train takla?

Only an experienced specialist can teach all the tricks of a Turkish pigeon chick, so it is recommended for beginners to take adult birds “with experience”. Studies and training are complex and multifaceted, as they require a lot of time, effort and perseverance. It takes up to 3 or even 5 years to get the first noticeable success, so this path is a job for a true enthusiast and connoisseur of takla.

Turkish pigeons have a good memory, quick wit and intelligence. Birds begin to learn at the age of 6 weeks, after they acquire "adult" plumage. During molting, training is stopped.

An important condition for learning is getting used to the owner, housing and the take-off site. It is also necessary to work out a certain signal by which the bird will return.

The first workouts last no more than half an hour. At this time, the bird should not sit down in order to form the habit and association: “taking out to the site=flying”. Adults are trained first, and then teenagers. They must land at the same time. Experienced older pigeons can teach youngsters by example. Turkish pigeons are fed before training with light food, in volume not exceeding a third of the entire daily diet.

Reproduction rules

The main rule is not to cross takla with representatives of any other breeds. Such a selection method is not suitable for this breed, as it leads to a complete loss of the specific qualities of Turkish pigeons for which they are valued.

The second rule is to buy pigeons only from trusted breeders who can guarantee the purity of the blood.

Third rule - do not chase external beauty. With this breed, things are like this: the brighter and more beautiful the bird looks, the worse and inexpressive it flies. The common blue takla may be the unique record holder in its specialization.

Diet

Turkish takla pigeons are demanding on nutrition. They have it seasonally: in summer they give more millet and crushed barley, and in the cold season, cereals are mixed proportionally, in equal doses. Adult birds are fed twice a day, after eating, the feeders with leftover food are removed, as the purity of food and water is important for he alth.

Chicks feed on yolk for the first three days, like the offspring of other birds. Then they are transferred to a mash of steamed compound feed mixed with whey or skimmed milk. The initial dose for one chick per day is 15 grams. By the end of the month, the portion increases to 30 grams.

Takla pigeons need fine gravel to grind their food, as well as vitamins and minerals. They are given in the form of special mixtures, fresh grass is added to the feed. When molting, fish oil or vegetable oil is added to food - this contributes to the growth of he althy smooth plumage.

Diseases and prevention

Turkish takla pigeons can get sick, so it is important to monitor their behavior and appearance. If the bird refuses food, water, looks disheveled, untidy, this should cause alarm. A sick pigeon should be isolated and contacted by a veterinarian.

Also dangerous signs are rapid heartbeat, wheezing, fever.

The most common diseases in Turkish pigeons are:

1. Salmonellosis. Manifested by seals under the skin, bloody stools, joint damage, death of embryos in eggs, sterility of birds.
2. Coccidiosis. Its symptoms are lethargy, bloody diarrhea, paralysis, retraction of the head, weight loss.
3. Trichomonosis. This disease is accompanied by bloating, diarrhea with a strong unpleasant odor, glued plumage, weakness, lethargy, hysterical breathing due to throat blockage.
4. Paramyxovirus. With this disease, the bird becomes nervous, shy, she drinks a lot. Loose stools appear, paralysis develops, due to which the pigeon's neck is wrapped.

In addition to infections, birds suffer from joint damage, especially wings, improper plumage formation, malnutrition, obesity, eye and ear diseases. To reduce the risk of losing expensive Turkish pigeons, it is necessary to keep the dovecote, aviary and nests clean, disinfect not only the premises, but also feeders and drinkers. The purity and quality of the food also affects the he alth of the takla.

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