Wealth of Blood

Donnie Zehr Mar 06, 21

Don’t only look at a pigeon eye perpendicular, but also from behind or from front from the side of the beak. Looking from the side allows you to see the rugged surface of the iris better. It should look somewhat granular, that’s what I like best. If you were to put 100 classy pigeons together, then three quarters will definitely answer to what I have written about. Take note: I am talking about classy pigeons, because that’s what our sights are set on aren’t they?? The rest are also good pigeons, but belong to the category exceptions for me. And I have worked out a few times that it would be much cheaper for me to work with inside information than with exceptions. Yet the remaining 25% also performed exceptionally well and that indicates that those pigeons possess enough other characteristics to be able to reach the top of the classifications. And that proves that we shouldn’t only concentrate blindly on one and the same characteristic like most English fanciers do with the there applicable eye theory and so as Vanderschelden who wanted to impress the wing therapy on the fanciers at the time. Take note that every theory is peppered with good elements. They are the icing on the cake, and the more icing on the cake, the more customers will come and eat in the restaurant!

If an eye is filled with those red coloured clouds, then it is a certain indication to the wealth of blood in that eye. This has nothing to do with the granular pigment, but is a result of the very thin blood vessels showing up on the surface. The result is that the iris, which would normally be another colour, now has a blood red colour. Here also I like to see that the colour covers the entire iris. The degree of covering and the characteristic colour displays theblood supply, which again is related to the total blood supply of the whole body. If the colours and the granularity match the surface of a much used pallete of an artist, then we can presume that everything is well. And that the rest of the blood supply in the rest of the body is the same.

On the whole it gives an indication of the natural form of a pigeon. Of the vitality, which lies at the basis of the performance capability. I like strong eyes which remain the same colour and pigment all year round. That is an indication of the natural vitality. And this belongs to a type of pigeon which is very easy to get into form and keep there.

I stick by the fact that a good blood supply is responsible for a basis vitality and for retaining a constant form during the racing season. The majority of the champion pigeons I am given to judge had strong eyes. Can I say that the majority is in control?? And may I, during discussions, react strongly when the importance of the quality of the eye is dismissed?

The degree of form and vitality depends on the wealth of blood in the total organism. When a pigeon comes into form it is through thesuddenly improved blood circulation in the body. The easiest way to control this is via the eyes. Look at a pigeon which has come home a few days too late after a super tough race. the total organism is extremely tired. Agree?? If you then look into this pigeon’s eyes all the colours have disappeared. Agree?? And then you could logically make the link between the degree of the blood supply to the body and the deep colours of the eyes?? Agree??

And the light grey eyes of the Janssen pigeons then? In principle most of the Janssen pigeons are created for the shorter races. For this, other characteristics are more important. Characteristics so as character, intelligence and speed. These short races are over in the blink of an eye and the pigeons are only in the air for a few hours. In that case issues closely related to the vitality are not of great importance.

We have just discussed the Vermeyen-ring and talked in detail over the pupil and the iris. There just remains the ring which can often be seen between pupil and iris: the circle of adaptation. The circle of authenticity is often grey or black and is full, half or quarter circle. Sometimes in real circle form and sometimes with deep star shaped notches in the iris. Based on the various manifestations, many fanciers are of the meaning that they can derive various characteristics from this. There has been a great deal of discussion over the circle of adaptation. Over the importance. Over the form. And over the colour. And I have to say that there is some truth in this, but also a life-sized falsehood. I that it is more of a pedigree related characteristic. The old De Smet-Matthijs pigeons had this. The Meulemans pigeons to.