Old German Owl

The Old German Owl, known in Germany as the Altdeutsches Mövchen, is a small ornamental pigeon kept chiefly for showing and as company around the loft. It belongs to the owl pigeon family, a group named for the short, blunt beak and rounded head that give these birds a passing resemblance to a little owl. A frill of reversed feathering runs down the front of the chest, and most birds show a defined colour pattern across the wing shield set against an otherwise white body.

This counts among the older German colour-pigeon breeds and remains, like every domestic pigeon, a descendant of the rock pigeon (Columba livia). Adults stay light, seldom heavier than an average town pigeon, and they manage short flights around the loft without trouble. Fanciers keep the breed for its markings and its settled nature rather than for racing form or utility.

Keepers who work with the Old German Owl describe it as placid and even-tempered. It settles into loft life readily, puts up with handling once it knows the routine, and lacks the nervy, flighty streak that turns up in some other show breeds.

Who it suits

This breed suits keepers after a small, easy-care pigeon for a settled loft, whether on a suburban section or a small lifestyle block, rather than a racing or homing bird. Its placid nature makes it a fair option for someone new to pigeon keeping, provided they can manage daily care. It suits free-flying or competitive fanciers less well, since it has been bred for looks rather than performance.

The Old German Owl originated in Germany, where the name Altdeutsches Mövchen marks it as an early form within the wider Mövchen, or owl pigeon, family. The word "old" in the English name sets it apart from later, more heavily refined owl breeds developed further down the track.

Owl pigeons as a type go back to short-beaked frilled birds recorded across Europe over several centuries. Breeders selected for the chest frill, the rounded head, and the short beak rather than for any working purpose, and regional strains formed as fanciers in different districts fixed their own colour patterns and head shapes.

Within German pigeon-keeping tradition, local societies kept and standardised the Old German Owl, recording accepted wing markings, frill, and overall type. It became one among several distinct German colour-pigeon breeds, each holding its own recognised pattern. Like all domestic pigeons, the breed descends from the rock pigeon.

The variety remains chiefly a fancier's bird. In New Zealand it turns up at pigeon club shows and the odd A&P show rather than through general pet outlets, kept by hobby breeders who preserve its traditional look; it stays scarcer here than the more mainstream exhibition breeds.

The Old German Owl is small and neatly built, with a broad, rounded head and the short, blunt beak typical of owl pigeons. The eyes sit to the side of the head and are usually dark. Its standout feature is the frill, a strip of feathers that grows in reverse down the front of the chest. The body is short and carried fairly upright, with the wings held close along the back.

Coat and colours

The classic pattern is a white bird with colour confined mainly to the wing shield, often called the gull or shield marking. Wing colour turns up in several shades, and the breed recognises both barred and laced wing patterns. Plumage stays firm and close over the body, while the chest frill stands out as a distinct ruffled line. Clean white areas should look crisp, with the coloured shield well defined against the white ground.

The Old German Owl carries a quiet, steady temperament. It ranks among the calmer ornamental pigeons and does not spook easily when approached, which keeps routine loft work simple. Birds handled gently from a young age grow tame and put up with being lifted and checked over.

Around people the breed stays docile and non-aggressive. It will not chase after attention the way a tame parrot might, but it takes a familiar keeper in its stride without fuss. Towards strangers it stays wary at first and settles once a routine beds in.

With other pigeons the breed mixes well and gets on in a shared loft. Cocks may posture during the breeding season, but real fighting is rare. The Old German Owl mostly ignores other household pets, and it pays to keep cats and dogs away from the loft rather than expect the pigeon to cope with them.

Day-to-day care comes down to a clean loft, fresh food and water, and keeping an eye on the birds. The breed holds up well for its size, but the white plumage and chest frill show dirt fast, so clean perches and dry bedding matter as much for appearance as for health.

Grooming

• Set out a shallow bath two or three times a week so birds can clean their own feathers
• Keep nest boxes and perches clean to protect the white plumage and frill
• Check nails during handling and trim them when they grow too long
• Look over the vent and feet each time you handle a bird

Exercise

• Give birds room to move daily within a roomy loft or aviary flight
• Avoid crowding so birds can stretch out and manage short flights
• Set perches at different heights to keep birds active

Environment

House the breed in a loft that stays dry, free of draughts, and well ventilated. Pigeons cope with cold better than with damp, and New Zealand's changeable, often damp weather makes good drainage and airflow more important than extra heating. Keep the loft secure against rats, stoats, and birds of prey, and give each pair enough room to stay free of stress.

A balanced pigeon seed and grain mix makes up the bulk of the diet. Good mixes combine cereals such as wheat, sorghum, and maize with legumes like peas and vetch for protein. Since this is a small breed, measure portions out to stop birds putting on excess weight. Birds need constant access to clean water and grit, since pigeons rely on grit to break down grain in the gizzard.

Treats and supplements

Small amounts of greens and a pinch of fresh seed work well as treats. A mineral or pick stone, plus a calcium source such as crushed oyster shell, supports bone and eggshell formation, especially in breeding hens. Steer clear of sudden diet changes, which can upset digestion.

The Old German Owl is a tough little pigeon once kept in clean, dry conditions. A typical lifespan runs from 8 to 12 years. Most health issues in the breed are the standard pigeon ailments rather than anything specific to the type, and sound loft hygiene heads off most of them.

Preventive care

• Keep the loft dry, well ventilated, and clear of built-up droppings
• Provide clean water every day and wash out drinkers often
• Quarantine new or returning birds before mixing them into the loft
• Worm birds and treat for external parasites on a regular schedule
• Stay current with vaccination where local advice recommends it

This is a breed kept for showing and company rather than flying or homing, so training aims at tameness and show readiness rather than performance. Its calm temperament works in the keeper's favour, and most birds pick up loft routines quickly. Show birds also benefit from time spent practising standing calmly in a judging cage.

Basics

1. Approach the loft quietly and move slowly so birds stay settled
2. Feed at the same times each day to build a routine the birds can predict
3. Offer food from the hand to build trust and tameness
4. Practise gentle lifting and short holds so birds get used to handling
5. For show birds, get them used to a training cage well before exhibitions

A pigeon loft is the standard home for this breed. It should stay dry inside, get steady airflow without draughts at perch level, and keep rats, mice, and other predators locked out. Each pair needs its own nest box and perch, and an attached aviary flight lets birds exercise in daylight and in the weather.

Setup checklist

• A dry, raised, or sealed floor that is easy to hose out
• Vents set high to move air without chilling perched birds
• Individual perches and one nest box per pair
• A clean drinker, feeder, grit pot, and bath pan
• Secure mesh over windows and flight openings

Pigeons generally raise their own young, and the Old German Owl follows suit. A hen typically lays two eggs per clutch, and both parents share incubation, swapping turns on the nest. Natural brooding is the norm, though breeders sometimes bring in foster pairs or an incubator if a pair fails or extra young are wanted. The figures below cover both natural and artificial incubation.

Hatching steps

1. Collect a clutch of two eggs and let the parents settle in to incubate
2. Keep the nest area calm, dry, and at a steady temperature
3. Candle the eggs after about a week to check on development
4. Stop turning eggs in the last two to three days before hatching
5. Leave hatched squabs with the parents to take crop milk
6. Wean young onto a small grain mix at around four weeks old