Old Dutch Turbit

Feathering plays a crucial role in its beauty:

• curled feathers around the neck exude elegance,
• the jabot adds intricate detail to the chest,
• the short yet sturdy beak pairs nicely with a broad forehead that frames its large, expressive eyes.

Adding to its striking profile are medium-length legs with a slight bend, creating a naturally graceful stance.

These remarkable features didn’t just happen; they are the result of generations of careful breeding aimed at preserving the breed’s unique qualities. Thanks to this diligent cultivation, the Old Dutch Turbit remains one of the most visually stunning pigeon breeds in Europe.

Unique shape and size

The Old Dutch Turbit is a petite to medium-sized pigeon, recognized for its well-proportioned and compact body. Generally measuring around 28-32 cm in length and weighing between 225-290 grams, it possesses a tightly compressed frame that gives it an elegant and distinctive look. This refined structure makes it particularly beloved among pigeon enthusiasts for its unique appeal.

Distinctive features: Beak, crest, and frilled breast

Identifying the Old Dutch Turbit is easy thanks to its standout traits:

• compact beak,
• striking peaked crest,
• ornate frilled breast.

The short, robust beak blends smoothly into the bird’s broad forehead, creating a harmonious and balanced appearance. The regal crest adds a touch of elegance to its head’s silhouette, enhancing its graceful demeanor. Front and center is the frilled breast—known as the jabot—a stunning showcase of curled feathers that draws the eye. These distinctive features highlight the breed’s sophisticated charm, securing its place as a favorite among pigeon enthusiasts.

Feather structure and jabot

The Old Dutch Turbit is celebrated for its remarkable feather structure, which gives it a unique and charming look. The predominantly white body feathers create a striking contrast with the vibrant patterns on its wings, enhancing its overall appeal.

Complementing this beauty is the jabot—a stunning chest frill made up of intricately curled feathers—that adds an extra layer of sophistication.

This harmonious blend of structured plumage and ornamental details makes this breed a popular choice at exhibitions, highly prized among pigeon lovers.

Color varieties of the Old Dutch Turbit

The Old Dutch Turbit is adored for its dazzling array of color variations, contributing to its unique charm.

• blue black barred, featuring bold dark bars that contrast beautifully with a lighter base,
• ash yellow barred, showcasing a soft yellow hue that enhances the bird’s elegance,
• silver dark barred and ash red barred (mealy), both admired for their intricate patterns and distinctiveness.

Adding more diversity are the Chequered and Barless types, which expand the breed’s color palette even further. While breeding barred varieties is relatively straightforward, producing consistent barless specimens requires a skilled touch. The White variety has its own challenges in achieving uniform quality but remains a standout choice for exhibitions, thanks to its elegance. Meanwhile, Chequereds are gaining popularity for their captivating and unique markings.

These stunning variations not only showcase the dedication and artistry of breeders but also reaffirm why the Old Dutch Turbit is celebrated as one of the most beautiful and adaptable pigeon breeds out there.

Common varieties: Blue black barred and ash yellow barred

The Old Dutch Turbit is particularly known for its striking color variations, with two of the most popular being:

• blue black barred,
• ash yellow barred.

The blue black barred variety displays deep, dark bars on a soft blue-gray backdrop, creating a visually captivating contrast. In contrast, the ash yellow barred type presents a gentle yellow tone with faint barring, adding a touch of grace and sophistication. These distinctive patterns enhance the breed’s allure, earning it a cherished spot among pigeon enthusiasts.

Other varieties: Silver dark barred and ash red barred

The Old Dutch Turbit boasts a vibrant palette, including the Silver Dark Barred and Ash Red Barred varieties.

• silver dark barred showcases a delicate silver background highlighted by bold dark bars, creating a striking visual impact,
• ash red barred presents a soft red hue with subtle barring, adding an air of elegance and complexity.

These unique patterns not only emphasize the breed’s variety but are also highly valued by breeders for their charm and individuality.

Chequereds and barless varieties

The Chequered and Barless types of the Old Dutch Turbit present distinct challenges for breeders. Maintaining the quality of Barless varieties requires meticulous care, serving as a true test of a breeder’s skill. Meanwhile, Chequereds captivate with their intricately detailed patterns, which are becoming more popular among fanciers. These unique varieties not only enhance the breed’s visual appeal but also underscore the commitment required to preserve their exceptional traits.

Breeding and care for Old Dutch Turbits

Breeding Old Dutch Turbits demands a thorough understanding and keen attention to detail to maintain their unique traits and genetic diversity. The main challenge lies in preserving features like the frilled breast, short beak, and peaked crest while avoiding issues like overbreeding or genetic complications. To navigate this, seasoned breeders often employ selective pairing strategies to ensure these characteristics are passed down.

For those new to the world of pigeons, getting acquainted with the breed’s standards and establishing a thoughtful care routine is crucial. Old Dutch Turbits thrive on:

• a balanced diet rich in grains,
• seeds, and essential nutrients,
• clean, spacious housing.

Providing such care is vital for their overall well-being. Regular health check-ups are also essential to prevent diseases that could impede breeding success.

One of the most appealing aspects of Old Dutch Turbits is their nurturing nature, which makes them fantastic foster parents for raising chicks from other breeds. This ability adds significant value in breeding programs, but it requires careful management to ensure that fostering responsibilities don’t interfere with their own breeding activities.

For those just starting out, defining clear objectives is highly advisable. These could include:

• participating in exhibitions,
• focusing on preserving genetic lines,
• seeking advice from experienced breeders,
• joining fancy pigeon associations.

These steps can provide valuable insights into effective breeding techniques and care approaches.

Challenges in breeding

Breeding Old Dutch Turbits comes with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to preserving their signature traits while ensuring a healthy genetic mix. Key features like the frilled breast, short beak, and peaked crest require careful and selective breeding practices. However, overbreeding can lead to health issues and a decline in these defining characteristics.

Maintaining genetic diversity is crucial to avoid complications like reduced fertility or heightened vulnerability to illness. Breeders often rely on careful pairing techniques to ensure a robust gene pool. Finding the right balance between adhering to breed standards and prioritizing the birds’ health requires both knowledge and dedication.

Another essential factor is safeguarding the pigeons’ natural vigor and nurturing instincts. These birds are not only admired for their appearance but are also appreciated as excellent foster parents for raising chicks of other breeds. This additional responsibility adds complexity to the breeding process, but it makes working with Old Dutch Turbits an engaging and fulfilling journey for dedicated breeders.

Role as foster pigeons

Old Dutch Turbits are valued for their gentle demeanor and strong nurturing instincts, which make them exceptional foster pigeons. Their calm nature enables them to provide the care and attention that young pigeons need when their biological parents cannot fulfill that role. This reliability has made them a crucial asset for breeders, who often depend on these birds to ensure the survival and healthy development of chicks, especially in challenging circumstances.

Guidelines for novice fanciers

For those new to raising pigeons, prioritizing the comfort and well-being of Old Dutch Turbits is essential. Creating clean, spacious aviaries or lofts is a crucial first step. These habitats should provide ample room for the birds to move freely, which helps maintain their unique traits like the frilled breast and peaked crest.

• offering a well-balanced diet consisting of grains and seeds,
• ensuring a constant supply of fresh water,
• keeping their living spaces tidy to promote health.

Regular health check-ups are equally important to catch any potential illnesses early and keep them in good shape.

Beginners can significantly benefit from:

• joining pigeon associations,
• consulting experienced fanciers for guidance,
• learning proper care routines, breeding techniques, and exhibition standards.

Starting with clear intentions—whether it’s preserving genetic traits or enhancing appearance—can streamline the journey while making it a more enjoyable experience for newcomers.

Exhibition and display of Old Dutch Turbits

The Old Dutch Turbit is a proud member of the “Owls and Frills” category recognized by the National Pigeon Association, celebrated for its unique and ornamental features that make it a popular choice at exhibitions. Exhibitors showcasing these birds must adhere to specific breed standards that highlight defining characteristics such as:

• frilled breast,
• short beak,
• peaked crest,
• overall refined appearance.

In pigeon competitions, judges pay close attention to factors like posture, symmetry, and feather quality to evaluate these birds. The Dutch Standard Committee has crafted detailed guidelines to ensure judging remains fair and consistent for this breed. These rules are crucial for maintaining the integrity of Old Dutch Turbits in competitive settings.

Grace and balance are essential when these pigeons are on display. Their stance should radiate elegance, supported by:

• medium-length legs,
• gently bent knees,
• a poised appearance.

These physical attributes not only help them shine at shows around the world but also pay homage to their rich history within pigeon breeding traditions.

Classification by the National Pigeon Association

The Old Dutch Turbit falls under the “Owls and Frills” category in the National Pigeon Association. Known for its ornamental qualities, this breed is easily identified by its frilled chest, compact beak, and striking peaked crest. These distinct features make it a favorite at pigeon exhibitions.

Standards set by the Dutch Standard Committee

The Dutch Standard Committee has established specific guidelines for the Old Dutch Turbit, emphasizing the essential physical attributes needed for exhibition purposes. These criteria focus on:

• compact body with well-proportioned features that convey both symmetry and elegance,
• short beak that complements the broad forehead, ensuring a balanced facial appearance,
• crest with a sharp and peaked shape to convey refinement,
• vibrant and uniform plumage coloration across all variations,
• distinct patterns like barred or chequered designs that must remain clear and well-defined.

By adhering to these standards, the breed’s historical essence is preserved while promoting fairness in exhibition judging.

Importance of elegance and stance

Elegance and posture are vital in highlighting the allure of Old Dutch Turbits, significantly influencing their overall appeal. Judges look for:

• harmonious body,
• poised stance that accentuates the breed’s distinctive traits,
• self-assured demeanor enhanced by medium-length legs and gently bent knees.

These traits enhance their refined appearance, reflecting the meticulous breeding and care dedicated to preserving this historic pigeon variety. Beyond boosting their aesthetic charm, grace and proper posture are crucial for excelling in competitions.

The Old Dutch Turbit in modern times

The Old Dutch Turbit holds a special place in the hearts of pigeon lovers, especially in its homeland, the Netherlands. Its distinctive look and rich history have made it a beloved breed. With features like a frilled breast, short beak, and elegant peaked crest, this bird always draws attention at exhibitions.

But its appeal isn’t limited to the Netherlands. Fanciers from all over the world admire the Old Dutch Turbit not just for its stunning beauty but also as a symbol of meticulous breeding practices. Its graceful demeanor and unique characteristics have solidified its reputation as one of the most esteemed fancy pigeon breeds around.

Exhibiting these pigeons has been essential for maintaining and enhancing their quality across generations. Dedicated breeders work hard to follow the standards set by organizations like the Dutch Standard Committee, ensuring the breed remains true to its iconic traits while adapting to modern exhibition trends. The harmonious blend of historical significance and contemporary charm continues to captivate audiences at both national and international pigeon shows today.

Popularity in the Netherlands

The Old Dutch Turbit is treasured in the Netherlands, renowned for its distinct characteristics and rich history. With its frilled chest, short beak, and striking peaked crest, this fancy pigeon stands out as an exceptional breed. Often showcased at exhibitions, it continues to charm enthusiasts while reflecting breeders’ commitment to preserving its legacy. This elegant bird embodies the Netherlands’ enduring tradition of pigeon breeding, earning admiration and respect from fanciers across the nation.

Focus on pigeon displays

Pigeon shows frequently highlight the Old Dutch Turbit, a breed celebrated for its unique characteristics. These birds stand out with their frilled chests, short beaks, and elegant peaked crests. Exhibitions emphasize adherence to strict breed standards while showcasing their striking plumage and the defining features that make this historic fancy pigeon so special.