UK pigeon owners

[WVduckchick]

The biggest mistake you can make with pigeons is to underestimate how intelligent they are. I've had a lifelong love of pigeons since aged 11 when I got my first in almost the same circumstances you came across yours. Bluey became so tame I could call him down off the roof onto my shoulder when I came home from school. I looked after him until I was aged 20 and he never showed any interest in pairing up with any other pigeon despite several fanciers living in my locality. He was killed by a cat that pounced on him when he had just finished bathing, I was devastated. Shortly afterwards my job took me abroad for the next ten years but once back permanently in the UK I built a loft and kept racing pigeons until I was forty. Sadly I'm one of the few people to succumb to a disease called Pigeons Fanciers Lung, it made me so ill I had to give them up. I'm 64 now and I often find exhausted ' flown out ' racing pigeons in my garden and help them recover, it's almost as if they know where to come for help as none of my neighbours ever seem to get them in their gardens. The loft is long gone so there is nothing to actually attract them. During the racing years I would often lose a few, especially during bad weather but most would eventually make it back home, some two or even three years later, and they would fly straight to the original nesting box they used to occupy, they have brilliant memories, and I'm also convinced they can recognize their keepers just like dogs and cats can. Good luck with yours, I wish you many happy years keeping pigeons, just make sure you wear a face mask whenever you clean the loft, that was the mistake I made that eventually led to the PFL. It is mostly caused by the white dust that covers pigeons feathers when they are 'in form' and fit and healthy, most people are fine but some like me are susceptible and allergic to it, plus I used to spend hours every day in the loft, which is also not advisable.

Thank you for sharing. Sad about having to give them up, your love for them is evident. But your health had to come first. Maybe the injured ones know that you just need a quick fix too.

 

[CCUK]

I thought id join this thread. Not like it would make it more cunfusing with pigeon talk, pigeon bulleten board, and now this! Lol.

CCUK you could get a shed and divide it yourself. Lock in nesting boxes are a must if you want to race so you can mate up new pairs and be sure of parents.

I have a 10x6 shed I was going to use for the chickens. It could be modified but may still be a bit small. There are several different ways to race with the widowhood being the most common. I had some widowhood dividers but I used them to make a sick bay!

 

[CCUK]

The biggest mistake you can make with pigeons is to underestimate how intelligent they are. I've had a lifelong love of pigeons since aged 11 when I got my first in almost the same circumstances you came across yours. Bluey became so tame I could call him down off the roof onto my shoulder when I came home from school. I looked after him until I was aged 20 and he never showed any interest in pairing up with any other pigeon despite several fanciers living in my locality. He was killed by a cat that pounced on him when he had just finished bathing, I was devastated. Shortly afterwards my job took me abroad for the next ten years but once back permanently in the UK I built a loft and kept racing pigeons until I was forty. Sadly I'm one of the few people to succumb to a disease called Pigeons Fanciers Lung, it made me so ill I had to give them up. I'm 64 now and I often find exhausted ' flown out ' racing pigeons in my garden and help them recover, it's almost as if they know where to come for help as none of my neighbours ever seem to get them in their gardens. The loft is long gone so there is nothing to actually attract them. During the racing years I would often lose a few, especially during bad weather but most would eventually make it back home, some two or even three years later, and they would fly straight to the original nesting box they used to occupy, they have brilliant memories, and I'm also convinced they can recognize their keepers just like dogs and cats can. Good luck with yours, I wish you many happy years keeping pigeons, just make sure you wear a face mask whenever you clean the loft, that was the mistake I made that eventually led to the PFL. It is mostly caused by the white dust that covers pigeons feathers when they are 'in form' and fit and healthy, most people are fine but some like me are susceptible and allergic to it, plus I used to spend hours every day in the loft, which is also not advisable.

Hi @Casso. Thanks for the reply. I'm sorry you had to give up your pigeons because of pfl. That must have been devasting. I see the amount of dust they create when cleaning out and when they take off from the ramp there us always a dust cloud as they go. I do wear a mask when I'm cleaning out but I still need to be careful. I started with one stray pigeon that decided to stay with me! I never realised how much I'd enjoy having them. I have become a pigeon rescue of sorts with people contacting me with sick or stray birds. I had a massive PMV scare not so long back and it really shook me, so now I'm a little more reluctant to help. I've only list a couple of birds to date but I've only had them since May! I still hold a torch that they may return but nothing is ever certain. They didn't return to the previous owners. Do you have any tricks or tips for a first timer? It's a very competitive world pigeon racing and it's always good to have a good start!

 

[Casso]

You are correct about the competiveness in pigeon racing, I have both won and lost big races with only a few seconds being the deciding factor. The most obvious tip I can give is to start with the best proven pigeons you can get. Most racing pigeons generally return home, but it is only the minority that actually ' race home' as fast as they can.
Always breed your best birds with birds as equally as good but preferably better if you can. Weaker characteristics are always the more dominant factor whenever you pair pigeons together. Try to make your pigeons love where they live so the desire to return home is stronger. Proper basket training starting with young birds is essential. When they are all crammed together on a transporter it is vital they know where the food and water troughs will be placed on the sides of the baskets so your pigeons are the ones at the front and get to the food and water first. Many fanciers will have different views and ideas on incentives, but I personally found that using a widowhood system for inland races up to about 200 miles, and the 'natural' system for longer cross channel races up to 650 miles worked best for me. Any decent pigeon will do it's absolute best to get home if it loves where it lives, but a fit pigeon in top condition will be able to achieve that quicker.
Knowing which of your pigeons are in that sort of condition is obviously very important, there are many signs and it can vary from bird to bird but a rough rule of thumb is how they feel when you handle them. A bird in condition feels neither heavy or light but sort of 'Corky' and bouyant, it will be so slippy and glossy it is difficult to hold, it will have clean warm feet and brilliant white wattles, sometimes they are so full of energy they look like they are trembling when standing still. The important thing, win or lose, is to enjoy your sport by giving your birds a great life, spend time watching them and you will learn more than I or anyone else can tell you. Best of luck.

 

[backyard pigeons]

You sure do know alot! Great info. I may eventually start racing but not anytime soon.

You are correct about the competiveness in pigeon racing, I have both won and lost big races with only a few seconds being the deciding factor. The most obvious tip I can give is to start with the best proven pigeons you can get. Most racing pigeons generally return home, but it is only the minority that actually ' race home' as fast as they can.
Always breed your best birds with birds as equally as good but preferably better if you can. Weaker characteristics are always the more dominant factor whenever you pair pigeons together. Try to make your pigeons love where they live so the desire to return home is stronger. Proper basket training starting with young birds is essential. When they are all crammed together on a transporter it is vital they know where the food and water troughs will be placed on the sides of the baskets so your pigeons are the ones at the front and get to the food and water first. Many fanciers will have different views and ideas on incentives, but I personally found that using a widowhood system for inland races up to about 200 miles, and the 'natural' system for longer cross channel races up to 650 miles worked best for me. Any decent pigeon will do it's absolute best to get home if it loves where it lives, but a fit pigeon in top condition will be able to achieve that quicker.
Knowing which of your pigeons are in that sort of condition is obviously very important, there are many signs and it can vary from bird to bird but a rough rule of thumb is how they feel when you handle them. A bird in condition feels neither heavy or light but sort of 'Corky' and bouyant, it will be so slippy and glossy it is difficult to hold, it will have clean warm feet and brilliant white wattles, sometimes they are so full of energy they look like they are trembling when standing still. The important thing, win or lose, is to enjoy your sport by giving your birds a great life, spend time watching them and you will learn more than I or anyone else can tell you. Best of luck.

 

[CCUK]

You are correct about the competiveness in pigeon racing, I have both won and lost big races with only a few seconds being the deciding factor. The most obvious tip I can give is to start with the best proven pigeons you can get. Most racing pigeons generally return home, but it is only the minority that actually ' race home' as fast as they can.
Always breed your best birds with birds as equally as good but preferably better if you can. Weaker characteristics are always the more dominant factor whenever you pair pigeons together. Try to make your pigeons love where they live so the desire to return home is stronger. Proper basket training starting with young birds is essential. When they are all crammed together on a transporter it is vital they know where the food and water troughs will be placed on the sides of the baskets so your pigeons are the ones at the front and get to the food and water first. Many fanciers will have different views and ideas on incentives, but I personally found that using a widowhood system for inland races up to about 200 miles, and the 'natural' system for longer cross channel races up to 650 miles worked best for me. Any decent pigeon will do it's absolute best to get home if it loves where it lives, but a fit pigeon in top condition will be able to achieve that quicker.
Knowing which of your pigeons are in that sort of condition is obviously very important, there are many signs and it can vary from bird to bird but a rough rule of thumb is how they feel when you handle them. A bird in condition feels neither heavy or light but sort of 'Corky' and bouyant, it will be so slippy and glossy it is difficult to hold, it will have clean warm feet and brilliant white wattles, sometimes they are so full of energy they look like they are trembling when standing still. The important thing, win or lose, is to enjoy your sport by giving your birds a great life, spend time watching them and you will learn more than I or anyone else can tell you. Best of luck.

Thankyou. I have noticed the trembling with some of them before. I never really thought what it was! I'm not sure how this will turn out for me but I do have alot to sort out regarding the loft. The widowhood method will be the easiest to arrange. I heard of another way by pairing two hens to one cock. It did seem fairly complicated though. I do enjoy them and I can see how each bird is by there behaviour. Probably the best bird I have was a stray racer that had a broken leg. I contacted the owner who wanted nothing to do with it. I got him healed up and he flys incredibly well. He traps straight away and he had become dominant cock! Unfortunately I had to remove his leg ring but he would father some fantastic youngsters! If he wasn't paired with the biggest pain in the loft that is! She flys well enough but traps a nightmare! Always last in and if she sees me she won't go through the bobs and comes straight back out!Anyway, how are your chickens doing? Have you had the urge to get a couple more yet?!

 

[cavemanrich]

When I come over to visit you,,, @CCUK , @Casso . we can discuss pigeons over TEA.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

The biggest mistake you can make with pigeons is to underestimate how intelligent they are. I've had a lifelong love of pigeons since aged 11 when I got my first in almost the same circumstances you came across yours. Bluey became so tame I could call him down off the roof onto my shoulder when I came home from school. I looked after him until I was aged 20 and he never showed any interest in pairing up with any other pigeon despite several fanciers living in my locality. He was killed by a cat that pounced on him when he had just finished bathing, I was devastated. Shortly afterwards my job took me abroad for the next ten years but once back permanently in the UK I built a loft and kept racing pigeons until I was forty. Sadly I'm one of the few people to succumb to a disease called Pigeons Fanciers Lung, it made me so ill I had to give them up. I'm 64 now and I often find exhausted ' flown out ' racing pigeons in my garden and help them recover, it's almost as if they know where to come for help as none of my neighbours ever seem to get them in their gardens. The loft is long gone so there is nothing to actually attract them. During the racing years I would often lose a few, especially during bad weather but most would eventually make it back home, some two or even three years later, and they would fly straight to the original nesting box they used to occupy, they have brilliant memories, and I'm also convinced they can recognize their keepers just like dogs and cats can. Good luck with yours, I wish you many happy years keeping pigeons, just make sure you wear a face mask whenever you clean the loft, that was the mistake I made that eventually led to the PFL. It is mostly caused by the white dust that covers pigeons feathers when they are 'in form' and fit and healthy, most people are fine but some like me are susceptible and allergic to it, plus I used to spend hours every day in the loft, which is also not advisable.

Thank you for sharing your story. I quoted WV below cos she already said it all for me!

Thank you for sharing. Sad about having to give them up, your love for them is evident. But your health had to come first. Maybe the injured ones know that you just need a quick fix too.

X100

You are correct about the competiveness in pigeon racing, I have both won and lost big races with only a few seconds being the deciding factor. The most obvious tip I can give is to start with the best proven pigeons you can get. Most racing pigeons generally return home, but it is only the minority that actually ' race home' as fast as they can.
Always breed your best birds with birds as equally as good but preferably better if you can. Weaker characteristics are always the more dominant factor whenever you pair pigeons together. Try to make your pigeons love where they live so the desire to return home is stronger. Proper basket training starting with young birds is essential. When they are all crammed together on a transporter it is vital they know where the food and water troughs will be placed on the sides of the baskets so your pigeons are the ones at the front and get to the food and water first. Many fanciers will have different views and ideas on incentives, but I personally found that using a widowhood system for inland races up to about 200 miles, and the 'natural' system for longer cross channel races up to 650 miles worked best for me. Any decent pigeon will do it's absolute best to get home if it loves where it lives, but a fit pigeon in top condition will be able to achieve that quicker.
Knowing which of your pigeons are in that sort of condition is obviously very important, there are many signs and it can vary from bird to bird but a rough rule of thumb is how they feel when you handle them. A bird in condition feels neither heavy or light but sort of 'Corky' and bouyant, it will be so slippy and glossy it is difficult to hold, it will have clean warm feet and brilliant white wattles, sometimes they are so full of energy they look like they are trembling when standing still. The important thing, win or lose, is to enjoy your sport by giving your birds a great life, spend time watching them and you will learn more than I or anyone else can tell you. Best of luck.

Again. Thank you.. I am learning so much about pigeons on these threads and greatly appreciate yours and everyones shared stories and wisdom!

 

[CCUK]

When I come over to visit you,,, @CCUK , @Casso . we can discuss pigeons over TEA.
View attachment 1620390

You are more than welcome @cavemanrich! I'll go put the kettle on!!

 

[biophiliac]

Thought you might enjoy this look at the sport. The narration style takes me waaaaay back!