Racing Pigeons

[mdcrossbow]

Anyone into the sport ?
I had Jimmy 5 years but she was considered a meat Pigeon. Great bird. Not fast but could out fly a Redtail but not the Pariquen.
I have a friend who races pigeons in SC. He's sending me a pure white Belgium Delbar. Racing female 3 months old. I hope to train to be my pirate bird that will ride or fly on the Harley.

 

[jejack26]

I have a loft of racing pigeons, but don't race. I use the bird for dog training. They are neat birds and I enjoy them way more than I thought I would. Started with 2 pair have about 25 now.

 

[mdcrossbow]

Love the color.
When I got Jimmy or my son did , it was for training our black lab. Jimmy wanted nothing to do with my son and bonded to me. No idea I would have one of the best pets ever. Pigeons are smarter than I imagined.

 

[BirdManMike]

I have a flock of 500 mile racers, mostly from really good genetics. Have about 60-65 at the moment (dunno how many babies hence the guestimate). Ill start pulling eggs in a month and end up with 80 ish going into the falconry season. I use them for training falcons, not racing, tho I do train them out to 100 miles (ish). They arent intended to be killed by the falcons, but they do make mistakes and get killed at times. Im in the river bottom, so I loose birds to goshawks (and rarely coopers) in the deep winter. I loose probably 12-15/year to goshawks. The hawks learn where the food is and hang around, but I have to let the flock fly every day to keep them fit so the falcons arent scooping them up. I cull some too at times. Usually go into the breeding season with 40-50 birds.

Ive thought about racing from time to time. I really like them and Id have a flock even if I didnt have a purpose for them.

Have also kept a flock of tipplers. They are neat, a lot smaller than the racers. Theyll home short or medium distances (10s of miles, not 100s) and they really like to sky out, going up to heights not visible without binos.