Horseman Pouter
As I stated on my main page my primary breed is the Horseman Pouter. There are several reasons why I have enjoyed raising these birds. First, like all pouters they are very personable when being trained. I enjoy walking into my loft and talking to each of the birds. Hens can become especially tame; often hens will jump onto my hand and will allow me to bring them right up close while I am cooing at them. They really put on a show for the attention. Second, is that the breed has many colors and there are relatively good quality birds available in each of the primary colors. When the original Scottish Imports came over in 2004 the colors imported were, Ash Red, Ash Yellow, Black, Blue Grizzle, Brown Grizzle, Blue Bar, and maybe one other that I cannot remember. With all three of the primary colors plus spread and dilute being introduced from the imports the foundation was solid and the diversity was there. Joe Powers and Mike Hughes worked tirelessly in the early years to make birds available and by 2008 there were several breeders making birds available. The third reason I like the Horseman is because of their flying ability. I fly some Horseman year round and I was not able to do this when I flew rollers. We have a large hawk population in Southern California and pigeons are high on the menu. My Horseman have fared exceptional against predation. I have even sent some of my flyers out to other lofts and given them a chance to prove themselves in other parts of the country. One flyer that I sent to Northern California was hit on its maiden flight and did not survive. After the remaining 5 birds settled in none of them were lost to a hawk all summer. In fact, the Cooper quit flying over after a month of unsuccessful attempts. The fourth reason I like the Horseman is the people that I have come to meet in this breed. Competition at the shows has been fun and even though the club is small it has great members that enjoy raising Horseman Pouters. If you are interested in learning more about the Horseman Pouter drop me an email at zugbug13@yahoo.com
Old German Cropper
I obtained my Old German Croppers from Frank Barrachina who has been raising this breed for over 30 years. I got off to a slow start with them, but finally got them to start producing in 2011. My pair consisted of a Ash Red Splash Cock and a Recessive White hen. The cock is also split for Recessive white so I have been able to raise 2 Recessive white babies. These birds are full of personality. I kept the breeding pair in a section of the loft that adjoins my indivdual pens and I would often leave the door open between the two sections, while I am in the loft, and the hen is always curious to come out and explore. She will poke her head out and casually meander into the individual section and poke around. When I start walking toward her she will scurry back into the other loft only long enough to hear me leave and repeat the process. Her and I will play this game repeatedly until I shut the door. This year I raised three young off this pair and purchased a second pair from Frank. In 2012, I hope to breed from a total of 4 pair and am looking forward to being competetive at the major shows. I will have a spare or two from this year that I will not be able to use and will definately have some young in 2012 that will be available.
German Modena
I only have a single pair of Geman Modena's. They are Blue Barless Gazzi's and from this pair I raised three young this year. They are characters. Even though I only raised three babies, this breed is easy to keep and I could have raised more if I had desired, but concentrated on the Horseman and used this pair to foster a couple of rounds of Horseman for me.
Pomeranian Pouter
I have long had a desire to breed these big birds. With the new lofts set up I was hoping that this would be the year, however it did not pan out that way. I purchased two pair including one old hen that did not do well in January and I lost her. This left me with three young birds. I mated up one pair and raised a single chick from fosters, but the chick was very heavily mismarked and decided that I did not want to continue with the pair. I plan to rearrange things in 2012. I now have three pair of Blue Bar Pomeranians that I will be breeding from in 2012. I am looking forward to my prospects this year.
Berlin Short Faced Tumbler
These little short faced birds were purchased for my wife who took a fancy in them at the San Diego National. After a long search I was able to obtain a couple of pair. They are fun little birds in the loft. Quite animated with their zittering necks and proud stance. We will be setting up a new foster section as these and the Pomeranians require fostering of the babies. My wife is looking forward to showing this breed next year.
