The Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeon is a breed of fancy pigeon from Netherlands. It was developed over many years of selective breeding.
It is a recent breed and was developed by C.S.T. Van Gink in 1935. The breed along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons all are descendants of the rock dove pigeon. Mr. C.S.T.
Van Gink wanted to develop a breed someday with White Croppers with colored breast. He spent a few years in the United States for improving his technique of painting and drawing.
However, it was not until 1929 that his dream came true and the actual breed originated. Read some more information about the breed below.
Origin And History of Voorburg Shield Cropper Pigeon
The Voorburg Shield Cropper is an unique and special pigeon breed. It was developed in the town of Voorburg in the Netherlands in the early 1900s. The breed is known for its large, puffed-up chest, called a “crop,” and its colorful wing shields.
Breeders worked carefully over many generations to create this look by selecting pigeons with the best traits. Currently, the Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeon is popular among pigeon enthusiasts, mainly for its striking appearance and friendly nature.
Characteristics
Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeon is a medium sized bird with upright appearance. It is tall and slender with a medium-size rounded globe.
The globe is rising smoothly from the waist and shoulders with a noticeable back globe. And the globe should not be over-inflated so that the bird’s head is forced backward, but it should be comfortable and easily handled as the bird moves.
The bird stands and moves in an upright position with the eyes directly over the center of the feet. The males spread their tail in a fan-like manner and move in a hopping motion when courting.
And the females may behave almost similarly when flirting. Both males and females clap their wings above their backs. Average body weight of the mature pigeon is between 300 and 370 grams. Photo and info from Feather Site and Pinterest (Gray Romig).
Housing Requirements
Like many other domestic pigeon breeds, the Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeons need a clean, spacious and comfortable home to stay healthy and happy. Their house should be well-ventilated to provide fresh air but protected from drafts and extreme weather.
Ensure that their housing system has perches and nesting boxes for the pigeons to rest and raise their young. Try to clean their housing system regularly to keep it free from dirt and pests.
Dietary Requirements
Just like many other domestic poultry and pigeon breeds, the Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeons need a balanced diet to stay healthy and active. These birds generally eat a mix of grains, seeds, and pellets.
Grit is necessary for pigeons for their digestion. Grit helps them to break down food in their stomachs. Always try to provide your birds with fresh and clean water every day. You can also give them small amounts of fruits and vegetables for extra vitamins.
Reproduction/Breeding
Breeding Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeons is a careful but very easy process. Choose healthy male and female pigeons and allow them to mate. Then the birds will build a nest together (usually in a nesting box, where the female lays her eggs).
Female pigeons typically lays two eggs, which both parents take turns keeping warm, or “incubating,” until they hatch in about 18 days. The baby pigeons are fed by their parents until they are strong enough to eat on their own.
Behavior/Temperament
The Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeons are known for their friendly and calm behavior. Like many other pigeon breeds, these pigeons are generally easy to handle and enjoy being around people.
The are generally social birds, and they like to show off their beautiful feathers and unique puffed-up chest, especially during courtship displays. If you take good care and perform regular interaction with your birds, then they can become quite tame and affectionate towards their owners.
Caring
Caring for Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeons is relatively easy and simple and it involves providing a clean, safe home, a balanced diet, and regular health check-ups. Ensure that their house is spacious enough and always try to keep their house clean to prevent illness.
They need fresh water and a mix of grains, seeds, and pigeon pellets for proper nutrition. Regularly check them for signs of illness and ensure they get proper vaccinations. Spend time with your pigeons to keep them social and tame.
Uses
These pigeons are used for show purposes. It is good for ornamental purpose and also good for raising as pets.
Popularity And Price
Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeons are popular among pigeon enthusiasts. They are very popular mainly because of their unique appearance and friendly nature. They are often shown in pigeon exhibitions and admired for their beautiful feathers and puffed-up chest.
Although exact price of these pigeons can vary depending on their quality and pedigree. Visit any of your nearest breeders to know more about it’s current price.
Lifespan
The lifespan of Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeons is similar to other common pigeon breeds, typically ranging from 5 to 10 years.
Pros And Cons
Like many other pigeon breeds, the Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeon has both pros and cons.
Pros:
- They are known for their unique appearance with a puffed-up chest and colorful wing shields.
- They have a friendly and calm temperament.
Cons:
- They may be more prone to certain health issues.
- They may be more expensive to purchase compared to other pigeon breeds.
Special Notes
The Voorburg Shield Cropper pigeon is noted for it’s friendly disposition and graceful action. It is very friendly in nature and is quite responsive to human voice.
And in most cases it give a constant, active performance in show conditions. They make excellent pets if handled properly from young age.
However, review full breed profile of this breed in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Voorburg Shield Cropper |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Exhibition, ornamental, pets |
| Special Notes | Beautiful appearance with uncommon appearance, friendly, graceful action, responsive to human voice, active performance |
| Breed Class | Medium |
| Weight | 300-370 grams |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Flying Ability | Good |
| As Pets | Good |
| Color | Many |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Netherlands |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Popularity of pigeon farming business is increasing gradually in many countries throughout the world. That’s why many people are trying to learn more about this business. Especially, the beginners ask us many questions about starting and operating a successful pigeon farming business. However, here we are trying to list the most common questions and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
What is the average price of Voorburg shield cropper pigeon?
Exact price depends on numerous factors and it can vary from place to place. Average price can vary from just $15 to $300.
What are the uses of Voorburg shield cropper pigeons?
These pigeons are used for show purposes. It is good for ornamental purpose and also good for raising as pets.
What is the average lifespan of a Voorburg shield cropper pigeons?
Typically ranging from 5 to 10 years.
