What you need to know about racing Pigeons
Racing Pigeons?
What you’re asking is which “family” of racing birds is the best. Well, now, the question becomes what do you want them for? Sprint races, middle distance races, long distance races? What?
The best family is that which will accomplish what you want them to do. I’m going to let you in on a little secret – don’t always get caught up in strain (family) names. However, they exist because some families tend to do better than others at particular distances.
Janssen is one of the top families of all. Janssen birds have won pretty much at all distances, but remember, it’s also the fancier and how he trains, flies — natural, widowhood, etc., that allows a bird to develop to its full potential.
Also, remember that a bird that is great on a course like California, might not be so good in Nebraska or in G Britain over the Channel and vice versa.
Basically, your question is unanswerable without more info. I’m glad to see that you’re trying to find out more about race birds – I seriously suggest that you try to check out more local sources for you.
As I think I told you before – check out the AU site and try to find a local club to see what the flyers in your area are breeding and winning with. http://www.pigeon.org
If you’re in an area where the IF (International Federation of Homing Pigeon Fanciers) is more common then check out http://www.ifpigeon.com
Here’s a link to just one site in Australia where the man flies various family lines (Aarden, Leen Boers, Janssen, )
http://www.pigeonstud.com/index.html
How can i tell which pigeons are racing pigeons?
Get them from a club member. Racers (homers) are specific breed of pigeons. Depending on where you live, you can check for local club members at: in the U.S. at the AU site: http://www.pigeon.org or the IF site at: http://www.ifpigeon.com or in Canada at the CU site at http://www.canadianracingpigeonunion.com
Race birds are larger than rollers or common pigeons. They tend to be much more muscular – and from my point of view, a heck of a lot more intelligent – than most other breeds.
Again, check with local club members if you want good birds that will likely fly on the course where you live. Good luck
Why should racing pigeons be kept in a shed instead of an aviary?
Pigeons are normally kept in sheds called pigeon lofts.
They are kept in these because they are dry, wind and rain proof. They don’t allow draughts.
They also breed in lofts, each pair will have it’s own nesting area.
Keeping them in avairies is not suitable, they’ll get wet if they are not covered, they are draughty, and cold in winter.They are very hard to keep clean, very difficult to disinfect, and not pratical.
How do racing pigeons know where to go?!?
Scientists are somewhat baffled by this very thing as well, & this applies to geese too! I use to raise pigeons when I was a kid & they always found their way home. It’s thought that to some extent they identify landmarks, but this raises questions, (esp. for geese because they fly at such high altitudes) as to when the weather is bad, such as cloudy conditions & they can no longer see landmarks etc. It is also thought that they both have some type of internal compass, use the stars, sun etc.
How do you pair racing pigeons for breeding season?
As far as pairing the birds is concerned, I like to breed birds of the same type, unless I see that there’s a deficiency in a certain type. For example, if I am working with a short distance family that is becoming incapable of clocking at anything beyond 150 miles, or only on easy races, I feel that a deficiency has developed that needs to be addressed. In the U.S. this is not really good enough, because we fly a regimen that includes 350-mile to 400-mile races in young birds. In some combines, you don’t even start combine competition until you get to a distance of 150 to 200 miles.
What kind of food do racing pigeons eat?
If you join a Racing Pigeon club you will get plenty of advice from members plus the advantage of purchasing their food at reduced prices
They mainly eat Peas of various types, Maize and Darri, but it depends on the time of year Pigeon fanciers feed different mixes at certain times ,such as Breeders mix Raceing Mix, Winter mix,all good pet stores have their Mixes.
Is racing pigeons a profitable hobby?
f you’re taking up the hobby to make money – don’t bother. There are many easier ways to do that. A very few fanciers, mostly in Europe do make money racing their birds or selling breeding stock (usually after the fancier has done well in racing). A few in N. America as well, but most do it for the love of the birds and for the fun. Most never get more than a paper diploma and/or a small trophy when they win. If you love the birds, get them. If you’re trying to use them as a passport to wealth, you stand a much better chance with mutual funds, a VUL, or stock investing.
If you want some great info about the sport — and I applaud your not wanting to be impulsive — contact the American Racing Pigeon Union (A.U.) http://www.pigeon.org ; the International Federation of Homing Pigeon Fanciers (I.F.) http://www.ifpigeon.com or if you’re in Canada, the Canadian Racing Pigeon Union (C.U.) http://www.crpu.ca One of them can surely point you to some local clubs where you might be able to look at the hobby more in depth.
Source :- Yahoo answers
