Cooperative Extension Service AS/P- 107.4

* Pigeon Showmanship____~w

By Ken Olson, Extension Specialist — 4-H

A pigeon showman is a person who has learned the art ofselecting, fitting, and presenting pigeons to advantage at ashow. This Info-File deals primarily with the handling andpresenting the bird to advantage to the judge. The confidenceand ability demonstrated and the bird’s response indicatesprevious work with the bird. Knowledge of the showman inresponse to questions about parts, defects, disqualifications,breed, and variety characteristics and the appearance of thebird indicates an ability to select and fit for show.

At most pigeon shows birds are placed in exhibit coops.Usually the judging is done from these coops and people arekept away. There is little opportunity to hear or see whathappens in the judging process. You learn how well you didwhen you see a number or sticker on the coop tag. Sometimesthere are notes which may help you learn why your birdplaced as it did.

Pigeon showmanship carries the association of showman andthe bird directly to an open table with exhibition coops wherethe showman presents his bird to the judge (Figure 1). Thoseinterested in pigeon projects as a means of teaching usefulskills and knowledge, especially to young people, arerecognizing the value of pigeon showmanship. At the showtable there is every opportunity to see differences in quality,hear all the comments of the judge on your exhibit as well as

others and to learn by observation the finer points of pigeonshowmanship. The audience, too, when seated in bleachers orother satisfactory facilities, can follow the judging and alsolearn from the experience. If the audience is large or thejudge’s voice weak, an amplifying system should be provided.

The procedure recommended in this Info-File is explainedstep by step along with what you, the showman, wifi do andwhat the judge will do. Since this is the first publication onPigeon Showmanship to our knowledge we will be wanting thefeedback and comments of those who use this avenue toincrease learning and interest in pigeons. These comments willhelp us formulate improved procedures in the future. Theimportant thing is that the handling of the bird is natural andcomfortable for both the showman and the bird and helps thejudge see what he is looking for. Contests, however, must havesome basis for judging correctness and often judges prefer touse the recommended procedures available to all participantsas a basis for correct handling. The recommended proceduresfollow. 1/77

Figure 1. Pigeon Showmen at the Judging Table.

Figure 2. Carrying the Pigeon

The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Ed Honea, Marana, Arizona in the preparation of this Info-File. Mr. Honea hasraised and shown pigeons since he was about 3 years old and has judged our initial Pigeon Showmanship efforts in Arizona. (See

PIGEON SHOWMANSHIP — Steps in showing a pigeon exhibit.

STEP YOU WILL DO JUDGE WILL DO

I. Remove bird from coopand carry to the judgingtable (5 points).

1. Carry pigeon to table.

II. Showing your pigeon to thejudge (60 points).

When asked by the judgeshow the following:

1. The Head

2. Wings

3. Tail

4. Feet and Shanks

5. Show Breast

6. Place the pigeon in(or on top of) theexhibition coop.

7. Pose the pigeon. (Thisis the most importantstep in the showmanshipprocedure.)

III. Appearance, actions andknowledge of showman(30 points).

1. Appearance

2. Actions

3. Knowledge

IV. Carry pigeon fromjudging table and return tothe exhibit coop (5 points).

1. Carry pigeon fromjudging table.

The proper way to carry a pigeon is to hold the feet between theindex and second finger of the left hand with the thumb over thetail and wing tips. Gently support the breast with the right hand.(Figure 2)

Holding the pigeon in the left hand clasp your right hand gentlyaround the neck to focus attention on the head. (Figure 3) Use theright thumb on the beak to turn the head while also shifting yourbody slightly to the left when showing the right side of the pigeon’shead. (Figure 4)

Spread wings to show feather pattern and condition. (Figure 5)Showing the pigeon’s right wing requires crossing right hand in frontof the pigeon with the thumb up. (Figure 6)

Spread the tail feathers to show condition, feather pattern andnumber and size of tail feathers. (Figure 7)

With bird in carrying position turn the feet toward the judge. Try tomove fmgers far enough toward the pigeon’s body so the feet andshanks are visible. (Figure 8)

Show the underside of the bird to the judge. Use the index andmiddle fingers to part feathers so that the judge can see the breast.(Figure 9)

Place the pigeon in the coop (Figure 10) or on top of the coop(Figure 11) depending on how confident you are that you havecontrol of the pigeon. The pigeon can pose much better on the topof the coop.

Pose the pigeon in or on top of the exhibition coop. Pose the pigeonto appear as near the ideal for the breed and variety as possible.(Figure 12) If you are not using your own exhibition coop and theexhibition coop provided does not have a solid top you should havea small piece of carpeting to place on top of the coop.

Be neat ~nd appropriately dressed for the occasion. Organizationcolors for clothing or uniforms of sorts are nice but are notrequired.

Carry out actions in a confident manner always being considerate ofyour bird, fellow showmen and the judge. The judge should haveyour attention at all times so that he doesn’t have to come to you toget your attention to move your bird or take some other action.

Be prepared to answer questions about your bird with reference toparts, defects, disqualifications, breed and variety characteristics.

Carry bird away and return to coop always head first. (Figure 14)

Observe the way the showman is holding andcarrying the pigeon. When you ask theshowmen to move their birds at the table theyshould pick up the bird in carrying positionbefore moving to a different position at thejudging table.

Check for head defects, disqualifications andoutstanding features.

Check wings for broken or missing feathers aswell as for color pattern in certain breeds.

Check the tail for broken or missing feathers,number and size of feathers, and for tail featherpatterns.

Check for evidence of feathers on clean leggedpigeons and proper feathering on featheredbreeds. In general look for defects,disqualifications and outstanding features.

Observe straightness and fleshing of the breast.

Observe the handling of the pigeon as it isplaced in or on the exhibition coop.

Observe the general conformation especially asit relates to the standards for the breed andvariety. (Figure 13)

Observe suitability of clothing for occasion andneatness and cleanliness of the participant.Additional points should not be given ~?‘uniforms or other impressive looking garb.

Observe confidence of movement. IIparticipants are constantly watching theii“neighbor” before taking action it is indicativeof a lack of experience. Misbehaving birds alsoshow lack of “home work.”

Ask questions if time permits. Questions shouldbe general in nature and on the breed exhibitedIf a large showmanship contest is beiniconducted a prepared written quiz may beadministered to all contestants in an effort tobe fair to all.

Observe the way the showman picks up binand carries it away, and if you can see thcoop—how the showman placôs the bird in thcoop.

Figure 6. Spreading the Right Wing

Figure 9. Show Breast

Figure 4. Showing the Head (Right Side)

Figure 7. Spreading the Tail

Figure 10. Place Pigeon in Cage itigure 11. Or Place on Top of Cage

Figure 3. Showing the Head (Left Side) Figure 5. Spreading the Left Wing

Figure 8. Show Feet and Shanks

Figure 12. Posing the Pigeon Figure 13. Judge Observes Posed Bird Figure 14. Carry Away from Judging Table

NOTE TO THE PIGEON SHOWMAN -

The things you will do in the procedure outlined in this publication are what you do when you are at a Pigeon Showwhere the owner is asked to show his own bird or when a table full of showmen are competing in a PigeonShowmanship Contest. In both cases the judge will ask you to show what he wishes to see. When there are only a fewshowmen or the judge is having difficulty arriving at a winner you may be asked to take part in a more intensifiedshowmanship experience. l’his usually includes carrying your pigeon to a table and going through each step in theshowmanship procedure outlined in this publication, without the judge’s clues. Explain what you are doing or lookingfor in each of your actions and tell how it compares with the standard for the breed. While showing the pigeon toadvantage respond to any questions that may be asked. Then carry your pigeon back to the exhibit coop.

NOTE TO 4-H LEADERS -

This Arizona Info-File entitled “Pigeon Showmanship” will make an excellent meeting topic. Have someonedemonstrate the procedures as outlined. Then have all members take a bird and show it with you or someone youdesignate acting as the showmanship judge.

NOTE TO THE PIGEON SHOWMANSHIP JUDGE -

The primary emphasis in Pigeon Showmanship should be the ability of the showman to present his pigeon exhibit toadvantage to you. In other words a showman with a red or white ribbon pigeon could place first in pigeonshowmanship. Discourage showmanship for showmanship’s sake alone. Unless the art is used at the pigeon show toshow the pigeons there is no point in developing the abffity. People are too busy today to engage in pointless activity.

If you ask questions to test knowledge, our experience has been that it is difficult to ask questions of similar difficulty.At State Contests we have administered a separate showmanship quiz which we feel gives a more fair outcome to thatportion of the contest while at smaller contests we have not asked questions at all but concentrated on the physicalability to show birds.

NOTE TO THE PIGEON JUDGE -

Having the Showinen show you what you wish to see will speed up the judging process. This does not, however, preventyou from personally handling some or all birds to check for finer points. Try to do a great deal of talking as to what istaking place so that exhibitors and the audience alike can learn from you. Use a microphone when available so that allcan hear. Having all birds on a table where you can see the entire class at once gives you a distinct advantage and awonderful opportunity to help those viewing the proceedings to see what you see and hopefully understand theplacings better. Lining up the final placing from left to right with the first place pigeon on the left often is very usefulin helping the audience see them as you do. It also gives the showmen an opportunity to move birds properly and posethem again.

NOTE TO FAIR OR SHOW SUPERINTENDENTS -

The proper equipment needed for a Pigeon Show, where owners show their own birds, will be a table about 2 feet wideand long enough to accommodate the largest classes entered in the show. A hardware cloth table top or solid top withstraw or old carpeting will enable the birds to stand properly. Individual pigeon coops, 18” x 18” in size, should beplaced 2 feet apart along the entire length of the table. (See Figure 1) There should be enough individual coops toaccommodate the largest class in the show. Provisions should be made for the audience to hear easily and to be seatedcomfortably if they are going to enjoy and learn from looking on. The same table is also needed in a good PigeonShowmanship event.

The University of Arizona College of Agiculture is an equal opportunity employer authorized to provide research, educational information andother services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex or national origin.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department ofAgriculture. Gerald R. Stairs, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.