JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Pigeon enthusiasts can take flight with the next Kansas Pigeon Club (KPC) show on Jan. 21, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in the Poultry and Pigeon barn in Hutchinson.
Pigeon fanciers will be able to flock together and share their love of the birds, as well as support the KPC’s mission to promote, preserve, and advance the hobby of pigeons.
“It is actually very popular worldwide. They've been bred for thousands of years,” KPC vice president and lifelong pigeon enthusiast, Willi J. Richert said. “There’s different forms or uses. There’s actually racing, and there’s exhibition, and then meat production.”
Pigeon is mostly consumed as squab in a lot of fine-dining or more upscale restaurants.
Most people may think of pigeons as plentiful as they are simple, and thus not worthy of so much attention.
Pigeons, however, are a worldwide interest.
According to Richert, Hutchinson used to be a center for a particular breed of pigeon called couplers.
Richert has judged pigeon shows on almost every major continent.
“There's large national shows that may have as many as 6,000 entries, maybe even more,” Richert said. “In Europe, I was at a show that changes in different places of the world, and there was a combined entry of 70,000 pigeons. Then in most other countries, it is very popular to breed racing pigeons.”
The upcoming KPC show at the Kansas State Fairgrounds will mostly feature exhibition pigeons.
Pigeons at the KPC show will be judged for criteria including, quality, structural characteristics, and other standards.
Richert said he anticipates between 600 and 700 pigeons at the exhibition. Many breeds of pigeons will be present, including rollers, aptly named due to their habit of spinning in the sky.
“Some of the best breeders in the United States will be there,” Richert said.
Those wanting to know more about how to the Kansas Pigeon Club show on Jan. 21, or interested in learning more about or joining the KPC, can contact [email protected].
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.