Information about proper racing pigeons breeding is paramount to any pigeon racing enthusiast; this is because breeding these “Voyageurs” (a term used by pigeon racing goers) – apart from training – draws a very thin line between having a healthy pigeon fit for the sport or not.  While there may be countless DIY information online that talks about breeding your own Voyageurs, it is equally imperative for you to know how to filter out the ones that actually work from the ones that make the whole process more confusing.

Racing Pigeons Breeding

Breeding Racing Pigeons

You can choose to go all scientific trying to know whether the cock or the hen gets the upper-hand as far as producing hatchlings that are bound to be champions are concerned; but the truth of the matter is that will all the jargons you are bound to encounter, being intimidated is almost inevitable. Simple and easy to comprehend information, in this case, ought to be preferred.

Racing Pigeons Breeding Information are Mere Guides

The first and probably the most important thing to remember before you plunge into breeding your own racing pigeons is the fact that different methods work in different ways for different people. Guide books are available that swear to the efficacy of their methods and testifies that a lot of people have already reached the heights of racing pigeons breeding. What you have to do is to keep in mind that the coin has two sides. Although their method worked for some, it does not follow that it will do wonders for everyone.

Mistakes cannot be avoided; the key is to realize that mistakes are unavoidable factors in any process and that’s important is for you to pick up whatever good from the set-backs you face. Books, online information, advice and tips are useful but consider them as guides. There are numerous resources that you can get pointers from but do not allow your breeding voyageur breeding be constrained by what you read. Do not be afraid to apply what you have picked from both the books and from experience; if the process fails, then re-adjust your methods based on what you have learned.

The key is read and absorb as much as you can, apply your learning and if confronted with speed-bumps, learn, re-assess and re-apply.

 Sensibility in Racing Pigeons Breeding

In many cases, the simplest principles in any process are easily taken for granted. In Racing Pigeons Breeding; this also holds true. If you think about it, the best breeder is in your loft and the most priced birds in your loft are your breeders. Having this information, common-sense will tell you that naturally, you should in no way risk your breeders and use them for racing.

Figuring out which among your birds are good breeders should not be rocket-science. All you have to do is to observe which bird shows the consistency in producing winner racers. In this case, it will be very wise for you to come up with some sort of a recording system. This will allow you to monitor any bird’s consistency accurately. While it can be a bit laborious to keep an in-depth record, this will help you improve better Racing Pigeons breeding in the long run.

You will not see seasoned fanciers race their best breeders and if you are going to pick-up one practice from them that actually work; this is the best choice to adopt.

In a lot of cases, it will do you good if you do not over-think simple matters and focus more attention to more important things that need undivided attention. Being sensible in every step of the way is a good practice.

Do Your Racing Pigeons Breeding Homework

Racing Pigeons Breeding

Racing Pigeon Breeding

Now that you have a general overview about racing pigeons breeding, here are some additional pointers that are quite practical and simple to follow. Consider it as a handy checklist that will assist you jumpstart your voyageur breeding.

The first thing you need to do is to delegate an ample amount of time in research. This will the backbone of your bird breeding process and you can expect do continually study in every step of the way beginning with pedigree selection.

In selecting a pedigree, you have to make sure that every bit of information you get hold of is accurate. You must know the details of its winning record and breeding performance; only after determining this can you move on to the selection of the actual breeding process to employ.

Choosing the appropriate breeding method is critical. Tossing whether to go for cross-breeding, in-breeding or line-breeding can be tough especially when you are not backed with sufficient information about each method. You can talk to seasoned fanciers about the many challenges in breeding. For example, cross-breeding can be expensive while line-breeding can be a little bit cost- effective and less risky; although each has its own pros and cons. Every process has to be studied in detail and guidelines ought to be followed to avoid making the method counter-productive. That is why sufficient focus is needed.

 Racing Pigeons Breeding – Getting Ready to Take Off

Breeding plays a huge role in growing capable and winning racing pigeons. There are a lot of factors that can affect each phase of every breeding method and because of this; there are a number of breeders that find pigeons breeding procedure very complicated. However, complicated does not always mean confusing. The sport of pigeon racing is very rewarding and this is evident of the fame the sport enjoys all over the world and that fact alone balances out complications voyageur breeding can dish out. When you think about it, all it really takes is a good amount of dedication, effort, time and care on for any breeder reap the rewards of pigeon racing.

The bottom line is, whether you are simple a bird fanatic, a hobbyist or a budding fancier, make sure that you are well up for it because although it may seem like the easiest thing anyone can do, racing pigeons breeding will sure to give you a tough time if you do not take the necessary preparations.

 

Carrier pigeons are one of those bird species that can fly very fast. As a matter of fact, these birds can fly at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour. If they continue to fly for two days, these birds can cover a distance of 1600 kilometers or 994 miles. Based on scientific studies, pigeons used various types of methods in finding their lofts. Usually, they would use familiar landmarks, positioning of the sun and magnetic field of the Earth. Apart from that, pigeons also possess good eyesight and are far better than that of human beings. It is because they can see through ultraviolet rays.

Carrier Pigeons: Participation in Military History

Carrier Pigeons

The Carrier Pigeons

During the time of Greeks, pigeons were already used to deliver messages and information. In fact, pigeons were the ones who carried the news about the Olympic Games winners in about 2800 years ago.  They were also considered as symbol of power in the 18th century, it is because only noble people in France own pigeons. It was only after the French revolution when common people can own them. There are even records which showed that even Julius Caesar used these pigeons to transmit messages.

Both in World War I and World War II, the pigeons were used as carrier of messages or communication between those in the frontline and the commanders. Pigeons were the best option for communication in the absence of radio and field phone especially if the soldiers were in the mountainous areas. So the soldiers would bring these birds with them whenever they go to the battlefield. Messages are placed in the capsule that is attached on the legs of these birds.

Methods on How to Raise Carrier Pigeons

These heroic birds flew beyond enemy lines to carry important messages in the battlefields. They are actually rare breed of birds; hence homing pigeons are the ones being used by today’s hobbyists. Raising them can be done by following these basic instructions:

  •  They are definitely one breed of fascinating birds. The initial step to raise these heroic birds is to cultivate a love for them and of course, love for your own individual pigeons. Spend time with your pigeons and you will realize that these birds can be really affectionate too.
  • Make sure that you provide the most appropriate housing. Their homes should have a loft that is airy but not drafty because it is essential for their health. It is advisable that the loft is elevated for them to easily recognize it. Elevated loft can be seen without any trouble by these birds when they are up in the air.
  • Begin training them by making them comfortable in the basket that you plan to use in transporting them. It is best to leave them inside the crate or box for about an hour or two; in this manner they will become more familiar with their surroundings. This would prevent any anxiety or alarm to be felt by these aviaries.
  • On their first training flight, you may want to take them at least a mile away from their home. Once you have released them, you can go back to their loft and wait for their return. If they have successfully returned home, you can reward them with food.
  • Little by little you can increase the distance of your pigeons’ training flight. For instance, you can add one mile during each flight. As soon as your pigeon can fly at the distance of more than 10 miles; you can start releasing them in pairs rather than in groups.
  • Continuously increase the distance of the training flight until they can fly at the distance of 70 miles. This is definitely the appropriate distance for the young pigeons to travel. Most of the pigeon races would reach about hundred miles thus you must carefully train them for the race.

 How to Train Carrier Pigeons

It does not require so much time to train this type of bird. However, it requires a lot of patience and repetition to train them properly.

Carrier Pigeons

Carrier Pigeon

To begin training them, it is best start with young birds and has not flown yet.

  1.  Put them in an enclosed area that will serve as their fly pen. Make sure that there is water and food in the loft; this will make it easier for the pigeons to associate their loft with being fed. You can do this with your pigeons for about two weeks.
  2. Afterwards, you can open the fly pen and allow the pigeons to go out. They would normally fly around and there is no need to worry about it. Once they become more familiar, even if they fly around they would return to the loft to eat.
  3. As soon as the pigeons begin to leave the loft for an hour before they return home; you can already take them out for about five miles.
  4. When they know how to return to the loft and they have done it correctly thrice; you may begin to double the distance of the training flight. Repeat this method until it can fly about 50 miles.
  5. Flight training can be done at least once a week. You may also want to change the direction every now and then. By doing this, they will get used up in flying from all directions. Every time you change the flying directions, you must begin with flight training at five miles from the loft.

 Additional Tips in Training Carrier Pigeons

  •  Make sure that you feed the birds because they will need a lot of foods during the flight training.
  • Avoid practicing the birds during winter time. They should fly only on clear skies and with a little or no wind at all.
  • These birds should be released twice a day, once in the morning and then in the afternoon.
  • In case you experience losses; then you must slow down with your training.
  • Make sure that you do not over train these birds.
  • You should not scare them whenever they are in their loft. This is the place that the pigeons should feel safe.

It was hard to imagine that birds such as pigeons can be trained and used to deliver messages during the time when it was quite difficult to transmit very important information. Indeed, each creature has its own significant role to play in the balance of ecology. But birds being used as channel of communication are definitely an unexpected task done by these birds.

You can share your thoughts on this article about carrier pigeons; feel free to comment and if you find the information useful; please share it in social networks.

 


The word “breeding” may come along with the words “patience and consistency” especially when it comes to fancy pigeon breeds.  With that, we may consider breeders around the world as one of the patient and consistent individuals.

Fancy Pigeon Breeds

Fancy Pigeon Breed

Although there are hundreds of fancy pigeon breeds, we can name some that are very popular with the breeders.  Such are: Modena, Runts, Pouters, King, Strasser, Tumblers, Indian Fantails, Fantails, Maltese, Swallow, Spanish Figurita, Jacobin, Frillback, Nuns, Lahore, Barb, Archangels, Polish Lyn, French Mondain and Flaygyze.

The following are facts about some pigeon breeds:

  • Jacobin breeds and Pouters – they are not reliable parents, infertility problem may occur
  • Fantails and Indian Fantails – they are hard working parents and very dependable, infertility problem may occur
  • Modena – pigeon breed that has more than 150 color patterns.
  • Spanish Figurita – smallest breed of pigeon.
  • Maltase – largest breed of pigeon.

 

Breeders observe also that there certain breed of pigeons that are inconsistent when it comes to raising their chicks.  But there are also some that are stable pairs. But generally, pigeons are very reliable parents.  Other than these common breeds, there are still thousands of sub breeds that can be found.  Different breed of pigeons carry different attitudes and qualities.  With that number, breeders can do a lot of fancy pigeon breeds.

Fancy Pigeon Breeds – The Basic Requirements

Breeding pigeons is never an easy task especially for the new owners or breeders.  Certain factors must be present and maintained before and during the breeding procedure. Such basic considerations are the following:

  • Food – regardless of the breeding procedure used by the breeders, pigeon foods are one of the basic things that must NEVER be taken for granted.
  • Cage – Pigeons must be safe and secured in their cage because they are sensitive birds. One reason why plastic cage is not recommended because they stop fresh air from coming and circulating.

Those are two topmost requirements but the following items must not be taken easily as well: drinking water, grit, nesting material and nest bowl.  Keeping these basic necessities at hand is very essential when it comes to fancy pigeon breeds.

Fancy Pigeon Breeds – Single Pair Breeding versus Colony Breeding

Different breeders have different opinions when it comes to what system of breeding is more effective than the other.  What we can do is compare and contrast both methods and let the flock owners decide which one would be best applied on their birds.

Single Pair Breeding – The Pros

  • Increase of egg hatchability and decrease in egg breaks.
  • There is no interference of other pairs.
  • Breeder has more control in producing specific colors of their choice.
  • Parent pigeons can provide more feeds to their chicks that contribute to their growth.
  • Breeders don’t have to worry about fighting and jealousy between the other breeding pairs.
  • Outbreak of viral infection is reduced and can be controlled.

Single Pair Breeding – The Cons

  • Since breeders need to keep one pair in one cage, it would be a costly system.
  • Time consuming and more work is required.
  • Breeders need spacious breeding area.
  • Dead in shell is common during hot weather conditions.

Colony Breeding – The Pros

  • Inexpensive system because breeders can keep more than one pair in a single cage.
  • Less work and time is required when it comes to feeding the pigeons since they are in one cage.
  • Less work and time is required when it comes to giving medicines to the flock.
  • In some instances, female pigeons continue to lay eggs when paired or married with other male pigeons.

Colony Breeding – The Cons

  • There is a number of egg breaks and decreased in egg hatchability because of interference of other pairs.
  • Breeders have no control of specific colors to be produced.
  • Parent pigeons have less attention on their chicks therefore chicks are not fed well.
  • A lot of fighting and jealousy may occur between the pairs.
  • There are instances of voluntary divorces although they have made a strong pairing bond.
  • In case of viral infection, outbreak my happen fast.

Pigeon owners may choose from these fancy pigeon breeds procedures based on the given pros and cons above.

Fancy Pigeon Breeds – Things to Keep in Mind

Fancy Pigeon Breeds

Fancy Pigeons Breed

Colony breeding and single pair breeding are two different methodologies therefore pigeon owners must be reminded of important things for each system.

Single Pair Breeding

  • Use a cage that is made of iron.
  • Don’t use wooden cages.
  • Don’t use plastics.
  • Although it is not a breeding season, male pigeon must not be separated from the female pigeon.
  • Cage dimension could be at least: Length- 2 feet; Width- 3 feet; Depth- 2 feet.
  • Cage must be secured from pigeon enemies like snakes, dogs, cats and hawks.

Colony Breeding

  • Don’t include old male nor old female pigeons.
  • Attach one pen to the cage where pigeons are free to fly, bath as well as sun bath.
  • Put green cloth in hot weather conditions.
  • Put heavy clothing during winter seasons since they are very sensitive in dampness.

Breeding pairs must not be disturbed unnecessarily because they do need privacy.  Both for colony breeding and single pair breeding, it is important to remember that sunlight is an essential thing for pigeons.  Early morning sunlight gives them strength. Breeders may adjust their cage according to sun’s movement.

Another essential tip to remember is that pigeons do get stressed up and as a result, they stop eating.  One reason for that is they were separated from their parents too early.  It is recommended to have them stay with their parents for a month before taking them in the fly pen.  This makes them more secure of themselves.

When it comes to cleaning the cages, breeders may do so after every 15 days.  As for cleaning the drinking and eating pots, owners may do so after every week. With a lot of things to remember, breeders definitely have serious responsibilities when it comes to fancy pigeon breeds systems.

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