The 74-year-old pigeon breeder shares his experience in breeding and caring for pigeons.
“This passion was passed down to me from my father. Now I have about 50 pigeons, not counting the young ones. My pigeon facility is a loft where they live year-round. The birds breed every month; however, according to the statistics of older people, two out of twelve broods may be lost,” he shares.
Salikh has both flying and decorative pigeons that amaze with their beauty.
“Pigeons, like flowers, have their own beauty. Every animal kept by enthusiasts is unique. The flight of a pigeon can vary, and prices for them are discussed individually,” he adds.
According to the elder, pigeons need to be accustomed to mixed feed and vaccinated.
“Pigeons eat grain, but they need to be trained to eat mixed feeds. It is important to vaccinate them against avian influenza twice a year. Many people are now finding pigeons through rumors, but breeding them is becoming increasingly difficult. The youth are captivated by the internet and do not understand the beauty of nature. I sell birds to provide them with feed, and this often requires budget expenditures,” he says.
Salikh emphasizes that white pigeons are often purchased for weddings to uphold romantic traditions.
“We prepare pigeons for wedding events. They accompanied the procession from Victory Park to the roundabout and then returned back. Clients can release them at the Przhevalsky monument. Many are interested in whether pigeons can find their way home from distances of up to 1000 km. For such distances, there are mountain-sport (postal) pigeons that can cover large distances. There is even a request to ship captains not to scare or catch a bird that has landed on the ship. It can rest for just ten minutes and continue its journey,” he adds.
Salikh Majiyun actively attends pigeon exhibitions, although he does not exhibit his birds himself.
“I was at an exhibition in Germany, where I personally heard about a pigeon being sold at auction for a significant amount. As a memento of the exhibition, I was given a badge dedicated to sport pigeons from Holland. May there always be peace, love, and purity, as a symbol of the pigeon!” he concludes.
