Welcome
Hello!!! Thanks for visiting my website. My purpose of this website is acquire as much information on the hobby and sport of Homing pigeon racing as I can and put it here for easy use. The internet is full of pigeon websites with a little information here and a little there but not really ONE SINGLE WEBSITE where all aspects of the sport can be found. UNTIL NOW!!!!
Be sure to check back often for updates!!!
I'll begin with some basic questions beginners might ask about pigeons.
Pigeon Q & A's
How big are pigeons?
From tip of the beak to the tip of the tail, the average pigeon is about 13 inches. Males are bigger than females. The average pigeon weighs about one pound.
What color are pigeon eyes?
Mature pigeons have orange or red-orange eyes. Young pigeons under eight months old have brown or gray-brown eyes.
How well do pigeons see?
Pigeons have very good eyes. They can see colors. They also can see ultraviolet light, which human beings cannot see.
What do pigeons eat?
Just about anything! Pigeons are not picky eaters. They have only 37 taste buds, while humans have 9,000.
How do pigeons drink?
Pigeons suck up water by using their beaks like straws. This is different from most birds in that most birds take sips of water and then throw their heads back to let the water trickle down their throats.
How do pigeons raise their babies?
Pigeons make nests of small twigs or stems which the males bring to the females. Pigeons usually lay two white eggs, about two days apart. The parents take turns keeping the eggs warm. Males usually stay on the nest during the day and the females stay on the nest at night. Eggs take about 18 days to hatch. Both parents produce a special milk which they feed, beak to beak, to their young during the first week. Once pigeons mate, they are partners for life.
Do pigeons have any natural enemies?
Hawks and other large animal-eating birds (birds of prey) catch and eat pigeons.
How fast and far can pigeons fly?
Pigeons can fly 40 to 50 miles per hour. Some pigeons have traveled 600 miles or more in a single day!
How long do pigeons live?
Pigeons can live about five years in the wild. They sometimes live for more than 15 years when raised by humans.
How can I find a Pigeon Racing club to join?
Go to the American Racing Pigeon Website and click on the “Find A Club” link and fill out the information form. A list of local clubs can be sent to you.
Where can I get birds?
There are many online pigeon auctions that you can check out and bid on birds if you’d like. However, I recommend finding and contacting members of a local racing club. Most members are more than willing to help you out by answering questions, giving advice, and finding birds at cheaper prices than most auctions.
How can I tell a cock from a hen?
This is a tough question and I’m sure every pigeon owner has their own way of determining sex of their birds. Some owners use a piece of string attached to a stick to determine the sex by the direction the string swings. I feel it can only really be answered by spending time with and observing your birds. Once they mature at about 4 to 5 months of age the males will start strutting and become more aggressive. Hens tend to be more submissive. All birds fight over perches, but cocks tend to be more intent on gaining the perch. Cocks are more vocal while hens are not.
How long will I need to let my birds ‘settle’ before I can let them out to fly?
This all depends on the age of the bird. If the bird is a hatchling, then it might be a good idea to keep them in for a week or two so they can become familiar with their surroundings. If it is a yearling or an older bird that was flown from another loft the time will be longer. There is always a chance that any older bird flown from another loft will never settle in their new home. Just a few weeks ago, one of my breeding hens escaped from the loft during morning chores. She was well over a year old when I bought her. She flew around the yard for awhile and then took off. I thought I’d never see her again. Two and a half days after her escape, I spotted her flying around the yard and when I opened the loft door she flew right back in! There are no guarantees with older birds. You’ll have to decide if you’re willing to take the risk. If you’re keeping them around to raise young, your best bet would be to make them ‘prisoners’ and NOT let them out of the loft.
When do I start training my Young Birds?
Young birds should be able to fly during loft exercises for at least 30 to 45 minutes AND be able to trap well before you consider road training.
How long does it take for birds to lay eggs and for the eggs to hatch?
Approximately 10 days after mating the hen will lay the first egg. Within the next two days the second egg will be laid. After the second egg, the pair will begin setting on the nest. Eggs will not begin to develop until setting occurs, so the incubation period does not begin until the second egg is laid. The eggs will hatch within 18 to 21 days, hatching in late afternoon, and possibly a day apart. After 21 days the birds will leave the nest if the eggs have not hatched, knowing that they are infertile. If one hatches and the other does not, allow a few days and then remove the unhatched egg.
Where can I find more information on homing pigeons?
Please see my links section for other great pigeon websites. Foy’s Pigeon Supply has some great video/DVD’s I’d recommend watching like “Share the Blue Sky”. Amazon.com and Half.com is also a great place to look for a large selection of books on pigeons.
Pigeon Loft Construction Tips
Pigeon loft construction is the most important aspect of raising, racing, keeping, and breeding homing pigeons. It can be as simple or as complex as the fancier would like it to be. The lofts can be extravagant buildings with more amenities than most people’s homes or as simple as a remodeled out building. Regardless of the construction, the loft itself does not guarantee success in this sport. The key is to provide the basic needs for the pigeons and anything more is just extra. Here is a list of things to consider when planning and constructing a pigeon loft.
1. You must ensure that the interior of the structure is dry at all times. If your loft is damp, disease will soon pay a visit.
2. Build according to the number of birds you will be keeping in the loft. A good rule of thumb is 2 birds per cubic yard.
3. Try to position the loft so that it faces south. This will allow the birds to get as much sunlight as possible during the winter months and also have some shade during the summer. If south is not a feasible position, the second best direction would be east due to the warm morning sun and then shade from the hot afternoon sun during the summer.
4. Make sure the ceiling of your loft is low enough so that your pigeons can’t fly above your head so they can be easily caught.
5. Depending on your location, you might want to consider insulating the walls of your loft that face the prevailing winds. If insulation is not an option at least make sure that three sides of the loft are closed and no drafts are present.
6. Use good quality materials from the start. Do not use OSB/particle/chip board for loft construction ESPECIALLY for the outside walls and the floors. This material will swell when it gets wet and will not endure for more than a few years when exposed to the elements. Also this material makes it more difficult to clean and scrape up droppings.
7. Build your loft high enough off the ground to provide good ventilation and so that no critters can take up residence under your loft.
8. Make your loft as visually appealing as possible so that 1.) Your neighbors will be more likely to accept your new hobby and 2.) The loft actually adds value to your home.
