Comments on: Thoughts on racing pigeons

By: Revati

Revati — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:25:36 +0000

Very interesting, thank you! What sort of food do you give your pigeons? Store bought or home-made mixtures? I’m always interested in what sorts of seeds/pulses, etc. pigeons like to eat and whether they like the expensive purpose made mixtures sold by racing pigeon companies.

By: Birdman

Birdman — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:44:25 +0000

For a bird to be loyal enough to return from a 600 mile race, you have to be loyal to your birds, they tend to run your life. They are fed and watered twice a day at as close to the same time as possible. Training actually consists of two parts, conditioning…making sure they are in the best condition possible…just like a marathon runner or a race horse, owning a racing loft is like being the coach. The second part is training that stimulates the birds intelligence…take them to different areas and in different directions when you release them.
On most of my blogs at the bottom of the page, you will find a small not on some part of raising and racing birds.
Thanks again for your great sight and for sharing my blog on rescueing pigeons.
I will always go get a bird if I get a call about a lost bird, even if the owner does not want it back, I will give it a home.

By: Revati

Revati — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:07:47 +0000

Hi Birdman!
Thank you for your comment. Since the only experience I have with racing pigeons is from the ones that are brought to the rescue centre where I work, I love to learn more about them and those involved. Especially since I have heard both positive and negative things – which is why I appreciate your comment a lot! Thank you.

By: Birdman

Birdman — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:52:47 +0000

If anyone gets into racing pigeons for the money, they should have spent their money on the lottery.
The birds must be kept in top form, the best of health and condition. That means the best feed, medication and training. With the price of gasoline, training is very expensive.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I race birds because I love them. I enter one or two small money races each year, but really it is just to judge my birds on an even playing field against all the other racers out there.

I have specialized in long distance races, 600 miles for over 20 years…the biggest thrill for me is to have a bird bred, conditioned and with the heart to return at that distance because it likes being in my loft. Once that bird is released, it could go anywhere, but it chooses to return to my loft and the care I provide for it.

Thanks for mentioning my blog.