The 130 birds - valued at several thousand pounds - were taken from an address on Boulton Lane, Alvaston, early on Monday.
The birds were selected from among several hundred others, indicating a well-planned crime, officers said.
The owner, who has spent years building his collection, is said to be "devastated" at the loss.
Another indication the theft was well-planned is that the thieves got into a secure garden and managed to beat security systems.
The stolen birds were 80 German Beauty Homers, 20 Competition Rollers, 24 Lucerne Gold Collars and six Kings.
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