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The Poop on Pigeons

Fact;
Domestic pigeons are not filthy, dirty, disease carrying, rats with wings.
Please note, the subject of study are domestic pigeons. I am not referring to feral pigeons, barn pigeons, street pigeons, common pigeons or whatever term is used to describe the local so called "wild" pigeon population.
I would have to say that the vast majority of pigeon fanciers are very concerned about the health and welfare of their pigeons.
In my personal experience, 90% of all lofts I have visited are good examples of proper conditions and pigeon hygiene. I would also say the same number of fanciers, have pigeons that carry little, if anything, as far as disease or parasites, that are easily transmittable to humans. In fact, there is very little, as far as disease is concerned, that a healthy domestic pigeon could carry, that would be detrimental to a human beings health.
Having said that, I must also say that I have been in pigeon lofts that has made my skin crawl. This is commonly due to the following.
The fanciers ignorance about the needs and care of their inmates, a new fanciers over zealous collecting of new "cool looking" pigeons without thinking of their space limitations or their concern may be more focused on selling pigeons and collecting money, than cleaning lofts and caring for the occupants. Because of this, I say, be careful when buying pigeons from anyone you do not know, be very careful.
Having said that, I will continue.....

Fiction;
Park pigeons, or the pigeons you see on the streets in cities are "wild" pigeons. NOT TRUE. The pigeons you see here in the cities of the united states are escapees or descendants of escapees. Man has seen fit to eliminate the one of the most famous indigenous pigeon, the passenger pigeon, from the face of the earth.
Pigeons come in the following four categories.......

Performance Pigeons - This category contains, but is not limited to:
Racing homers - Pigeons shipped to a far destination and released to fly back to the loft. They are timed, or "clocked" and the winner usually collects a monetary prize.
Birmingham Rollers and Flying Tumblers- Pigeons, normally small, that are flown over the home loft, for a period of time. While flying, they exhibit a series of backward flips. The Birmingham roller, a breed unto itself, performs a backward "spin", anywhere from a couple of feet to as deep as 100'. The current ideal depth being 20' - 25'. The length of time that these particular pigeons are flown is monitored, as with the over flying of these pigeons, a reduction in their performance ensues. So the time is normally limited to 30 to 45 minutes.
Flying Tipplers - Pigeons flown over the home loft, for an extended period of time. The idea of tippler competition is for the birds to fly as long as possible. 15 hours is not unheard of in this competition.
Parlor Tumblers and Parlor Rollers - Pigeons that have lost the ability to fly. Instead they roll on the ground (parlor rollers) or do a series of flips just above the ground (parlor tumblers).
Performance pigeons are used for just that, performing. Be it racing, rolling or lengthy high flying, the pigeon is judged on its performance. These are the athletes of the domestic pigeon kingdom

Show Pigeons - Pigeons that are strictly for the show pen. Judged to a strict standard of excellence, this category of pigeons is rarely released to fly. However, it should be noted that there are show standards for many of the performance and utility breeds of pigeons.

Utility Pigeons - Pigeons bred for their size. This is a category of pigeons bred for eating.

Terminology;

Cull - This would be a pigeon with undesirable traits. There is a fine line between an actual cull and an inferior pigeon. Culls should be disposed of, NEVER sold, NOT bred from, unless................. a fancier is interested in a particular genetic trait. THEN... After the trait is infused into the family, the cull should be disposed of. An example of a cull could be a roller that does not roll correctly and does not produce good rollers.

Stock Bird - Also called a Breeder- This would be a pigeon that has earned a place in the stock pen as a breeder. Most fanciers refer to new pairs as a test pairs, or an experimental pair, when first put into a stock pen, before they have proved their worth as stock birds. Stock birds do not have to be perfect, esthetically, to be good producers of quality young.

Show Bird - This would be a pigeon that is as close an example as possible of the standard of perfection for that particular breed. It would be a pigeon that could compete with other examples of it's breed in a show environment. A champion show specimen is not always a good stock bird.

Feeder pair(s) - A pair of pigeons used as foster parents to another pairs eggs. The use of feeders is normally due to a desire to increase the quantity of a given pairs young. They are also used on breeds that experience difficulty feeding their own young. Also known as fosters or foster pair(s).

Feather merchant - An individual that puts the love of money before the best interest's of the hobby or those in the hobby. A person that is not concerned about the quality of the stock he or she is selling, their concern is turning a profit. They mostly prey on the newcomers in the sport, as ignorance and misinformation is the leverage needed for separating the buyer from his or her money. These individuals are the people to beware of. I will warn newcomers time and time again about these individuals. They will surely sell you trash for a fortune!

Genetics Pair(ing)- A pair of pigeons that have been paired to propagate a particular genetic trait not normally found in that particular breed. An example of a genetics pair could be a pair of racing homers that have stencil like an oriental frill.

Hen - A female pigeon.

Cock - A male pigeon.

Squeaker - A young pigeon of seven weeks or younger.

Kit - In rollers, it is a group of pigeons numbering 15 - 25 birds.

Kit box - A rabbit hutch like cage that is used to house a kit or team of rollers.

Team - The same thing as a kit. This term is more commonly used in the U.K.

Trap - A devise used for the pigeons reentry into the loft after liberation. Sometimes wire "bobs" are used to prevent the birds exit from the loft. Another type of trap is a hole in the top of the loft, just big enough for the bird to fit through. This allows the bird to drop in but again the ability to exit using the same is not an option.

Flight or Fly Pen - An extension of a loft or enclosure used for exercise, normally made of wire to allow sun and restricted flight for the lofts inmates. This enclosure would obviously have to be attached to the loft in some manner.

Nest Box - As the name implies, a box that the birds nest and raise their young. There are as many designs for nest boxes as there are different kinds of feet.

Dummy Eggs - Wooden or plastic eggs designed to use as a substitute for the real thing. Used to slow a pairs production or several other uses are possible.

Squeaker - A baby pigeon also known as a squab.

Show Pen - A specialized pen designed for showing and judging pigeons in a competition setting or also used in a person loft set up for comparing a fanciers own pigeons.

Individual Pairing (breeding) pen - A pen built for housing a pair of pigeons' during breeding to ensure pedigree.