Do it with Almonds

By David Polinger

Are you looking for something new and exciting in Jacobins?  If so then consider the almond!  The almond has a lot to offer and fancier.  To raise these beauties, is truly challenging, different and although on the rise, they are still considered a rare colour.  Lets see what is involved in order to raise almonds.  You need to keep I mind four basic points:

1. Colour matings  it is generally not recommended to breed almond to almond.  In doing so, you run the risk of deformities, weak youngsters, and less quality young.  Also you could be using two almond pigeons on separate matings, instead of using two for one.  Although some breeders do mate almond to almond with some success, I personally feel that at this time I wouldn't recommend it.  I recommend using strictly kites.  Kites are black with reddish bronzing on the wings.  This colour of pigeon is a real sore point with many breeders, (especially those raising blacks and reds) and although it is a sore point for them, the kite is a blessing to the almond fancier.  Therefore  getting good kites tends o be a little easier to acquire, as many breeders are anxious to get rid of them.  When looking for kites, try to get the best bronzed one you can, and always look for the best quality of pigeon you can get.  Try to avoid using other colour mates.  If you are not able to use kites, or cannot find any accessible, then you can try a dun or black.  Although these are strictly second choices, these would be the only alternative.  You must be aware that by using dun or black the almond colour will be washed out.  The only real advantage is that you have an almond bird that will reproduce almond.  Keep away from reds, yellows, whites and bars.  

2. Sex link - Almond mating s are sex linked, which will be of help to you in determining what your off-spring will be.  Almond hens x kite cocks will reproduce only almond cocks and kite hens.  Almond cock x kite hens will throw both almond hens and cocks.  If you have a chance to get an almond, my advice is to try and get a cock.  This way your chances to expand will be easier as you will get both almond hens and cocks.

3. Quality  this is a real important point.  It is trued that no matter what colour of Jacobin you raise, you always want the best quality of bird afforded to you.  The almonds are no exception.  In fact, it would be more important in this case.  The reason for this is simple: almonds are an upcoming colour, and in order for them to be a competitive they must be of the same grade as the other top birds.  That's why you must strive to keep introducing only the best birds in your line in order to bring up their quality.  Using the best possible kites will give you a tremendous step forward.  Hopefully one day we will see an almond become champion.

4. Markings  the colours are markings of the almond are not an easy task to achieve.  On a truly attractive almond, you need a good base colour.  Generally a good base would be a medium beige to tan with good splashing or grizzling of dark brown, blacks and other contrasting colours.  Many times we are fooled with youngsters we see.  When young, we generally see only the base colour with one or two dark feathers showing.  Make a mental note that although splashes lighten up with age, the almond darkens and becomes more beautiful.  The raising of almonds as you can see entails a lot of hard work.  Keep only your best and cull off the rest.  Your rewards will be well worth it.  The almond is truly an enjoyable colour, especially since there are no two alike.  You never know what combination you will get and that alone keeps us interested.  If you are debating on what colour or colours to try in Jacobins, do it with almonds.