Breed from the Crosses

Breeding top performing racing pigeons takes some skill, luck, and excellent stock.  With that said, many US fanciers are always on the quest for pigeons that are pure, inbred, line bred, straight, etc. Many are looking for endless generations without the introduction of a cross. What do the real champions do? 

The great ones in a sport keep a line of related pigeons and constantly cross in the blood of other superstar pigeons. If these crosses win big competitions, the cross is then used for breeding, and the line continues. 

Do not be afraid of breeding from the cross, especially, if it dominates on the race course.  What do the following “sport changing” pigeons have in common? Kleine Dirk, of Koopman, 178 and Den Dikke 584 of Engels, Invincible Montaubon and Bronze of Casaert. Also included are all the famous original Meuleman pigeons, Bliksem of Vandenabeele, Daniel and Dikke Prinz of Van Reet, Shadow of Myrtle Lofts, Dromer of Sablon, etc.

These above pigeons were all crosses and started a legacy of champions in our sport.  Sure, there are plenty of inbred pigeons that have become e famous breeders, but  there are more crossed pigeons that have had a bigger impact. 

Next time you are contemplating on breeding from a cross, please think of the above list.