pigeonpals.com

Training pigeons to race is an experience for both the trainer and bird alike. As a group of pigeons or people being trained, there are both common and uncommon issues to be considered. It is common that in any group, that some individuals are better and excel faster than others. Uncommon issues tend to surface when circumstances change beyond control with factors such as bad weather conditions. Other uncommon issues are created over the progress of time. A simple example would be affects of cell towers on the homing ability of racing pigeons. In view of this, no system can be 100% accurate. However the system we are about to explain takes all known factors into account and makes logical predictions with accuracy. The degree of accuracy is dependent on the use of data and how it is tweaked to create a number value as an end result. Our system is all about reducing RISK while making a prediction on a future event.

In getting started, the first step is to think and react like a pigeon. In doing this step you gain understanding. As an example consider yourself as a young newly trained professional driving home from work. There are a number of factors that affect the way you think while driving and affect the actual time you reach your final destination. Weather can be a factor, and adverse weather conditions will slow you down. On the other hand if you are expecting a promise to be delivered upon from the opposite sex. This might be a strong motivation for speed. Now you are starting to think like the pigeon.

What are the factors affecting a pigeon race?

Weather. Conditions surrounded by weather are an important factor. Wind, temperature, humidity and participation all play a roll.  If a pigeon is flying into high winds, it becomes much harder to fly. The bird must flap its wings more to cover the same distance. It is like traveling against the current while riding in a boat. If the temperature is cold the bird will be somewhat sluggish. On the other hand if the temperature is overly hot the racing bird will be stressed. Please understand these birds have feathers and they are like winter clothes which are not removed for the race. High humidity combined with high temperature creates additional stress. Where rain is a factor the feathers become wetted. Wet feathers do not function in the air as well as those being dry. In addition the extra weight of water creates an additional load to carry. 

Sex. The sex of the bird can be an important factor. People who fly birds in CU races have a strong understanding of this concept. Most individuals try to fly single or double widowhood birds. Pigeon Pals fly all birds as groups and removes all eggs and by doing so, remove this as being a factor. While cock birds are bigger and somewhat stronger, the hen birds are lighter in weight. In view of this we feel the actual difference to be rather insignificant.

Dangers. These are always a consideration in pigeon racing. However since Pigeon Pals races the birds over the same landscape being somewhat of a race track most issues are eliminated. There are no very high voltage towers crossing the landscape. However there is a couple of cell towers adjacent and immediately east of the loft.

The birds are released at a point of low elevation and fly towards high elevation and the cell towers are within line of sight. It is possible for a mishap collision to happen at any time. However it does remain unlikely in future, considering the birds are now trained.

   Hawks. The hawk is common problem to most pigeon racers as the season progresses.   

   Fall and winter months tend to be most prevalent for an attack. Nature gives birth in

   spring. Prey is both easy and in abundance at that time. The numbers normally

   decline as the seasons progress. Hawks look for better options in fall and winter.

   Pigeons become a menu of choice. Precautionary measures, can be

   taken, to help elevate the attack problem. Since hawks are protected by

   governmental regulation, there is no complete solution available.

   Feed. The grain selection in feeding racing pigeons does very, based on availability.

   Corn is certainly an option when considering energy requirements, however high

   concentration within the mixture can lead to health issues in young birds. Fat issues,

   combined with high levels of physical activity can lead to heart attack. Short distance

   races require less energy allowing more flexibility in feeding options. The main

   importance is that all birds be on the same ration by being feed consistently as a

   group.

   Health.  Bird health is the most important factor of all. If a racing pigeon is not healthy,

   it is not able to compete well in any race. A poor bird in healthy condition is a far better

   racer, than a great bird in poorer health. The very initial stages of some disease

   are not easily recognized. Even the most experienced in care management can have

   difficulty in identification of a potential problem. Warm damp weather conditions,

   where temperatures constantly change, can trigger a health problem when combined

   high levels of stress. Early stages of many health issues can impact race results.

   Sun.  Racing pigeons do prefer a  nice sunny day by comparison

   to cloud cover. However the actual difference in performance is normally minor.

  Injury. It is true that any bird can become injured. Birds can sustain an injury while

  being boxed for a race. It is also true that a bird can collide with another bird while in

  the air while flying. If a bird is injured during the process of being boxed, there is

  nothing to be gained by shipping the bird. The scratch bird is immediately substituted.

  Age. The age of young birds can be a factor based on strength and endurance. Provided

  the birds are all within a few days of each other in hatching there is likely little

  difference worthy of consideration. The gap widens as months are spread between

  actual hatch dates.

   Thanks again Rae for another great story excerpt from your collection.
   Thanks to everyone for tuning in!!
    Glenn West