Gier
The Gier is a French domestic pigeon breed from the Gier valley between Lyon and Saint-Étienne, especially the Saint-Chamond area. It is a form or utility-type pigeon with a regional farm background, valued for rustic character, size, and local identity rather than for ornamental feather structures. French accounts distinguish it from more delicate show pigeons by its practical body and old rural use.
Gier pigeons should be kept as sturdy medium to large loft birds, with dry housing, dependable nest sites, grit, and enough space to stay active. Breeders should maintain the regional type while selecting for vigor, fertility, and parents that feed squabs well. Because the breed is not common outside France, buyers should seek knowledgeable fanciers and avoid assuming that any large French pigeon with a similar color is a true Gier.
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
