Ghent Cropper
The Ghent Cropper is a Belgian cropper pigeon associated with Ghent, bred for the inflated crop, upright bearing, and display expected of the pouter and cropper group. It is a domestic fancy breed of Columba livia and should be separated from homers, owls, and tumblers by its body outline and courtship posture. Local and national standards may differ in size, leg length, and accepted colors.
Croppers need loft space that lets them display without bruising or scraping the crop. Feed should support muscle and feather condition without making birds heavy, and nest boxes should be steady because active males can jostle mates and squabs. Breeders select for a well-placed globe, sound breathing, fertility, and balanced stance. Buyers should see adult birds relaxed and displaying, since a tense cropper may not show its true shape.
Colors: Almond, Ash Red, Bar, Barless, Black, Blue, Brown, Checker, Dilute, Dun, Grizzle, Indigo, Mottle, Opal, Pied, Recessive Red, Red, Silver, Splash, Spread, White, Yellow
