During the Covid lockdown in the spring of 2020, Zeus was the last Indian Fantail hatched at the loft of Doc (Bill) Larson in Lynchburg Virginia. Doc made the decision to end his career with Indian Fantails that started in 1975, in the spring of 2020 during the Covid 19 pandemic. Doc coordinated with Spud Peugh to distribute Doc’s breeding stock throughout fortunate lofts in the USA at that time.
Spud went to Doc’s house, gathered all of the birds, and took them to North Carolina to mail to the other breeders of the IFCA. During the visit to Doc’s loft the two breeders placed a young white baby without pin feathers in a shoebox for the ride back to Spud’s loft. When this bird arrived in NC, Spud lost track of the pair that the bird hatched from. Spud then put all three of the white hens Doc had sent to NC in an individual breeding cage with the baby. The three hens raised the baby and Spud put his band (IFC 2020, 395) on the short downed youngster that would be Zeus.
Zeus was born with two dilute ash tail feathers indicating he is a Tail Mark. Spud repeatedly plucked these feathers to turn him white. Since 2020 Zeus has been the sire for multiple auction birds that have been shared with other members of the IFCA. Zeus’ offspring are also being bred in Spain and the U.A.E. Spud continues to breed from Zeus and commented that in the 2024 breeding season Zeus sired 14 offspring, being rotated on 4 hens.
Zeus was first shown at the 2024 Grand National in Louisville, KY where he came in second place in the white class. In January 2025, Zeus was picked Champion Indian Fantail at the District 3 IFCA show in Lancaster PA by Master Breeder and Judge, Paul Tapia. Zeus went on to be crowned the first Grand Champion Indian Fantail at the Reading Pigeon Association annual show by all breed judge Steve Ripper. 2025 was the 135th year the show has been held, and a very special moment in time for Doc, Spud, Paul and JR Thompson who named Zeus at the show.