Keeping Racing Pigeons

Pigeon racing is the sport of releasing specially trained racing pigeons, which then return to their homes over a carefully measured distance. The time it takes the animal to cover the specified distance is measured and the birds’ rate of travel is calculated and compared with all of the other pigeons in the race to determine which animal returned at the highest speed.

The keeping of pigeons requires the construction of specialized structures in which to house the birds. These houses often contain specially constructed openings to allow the pigeon keeper to give his animals liberty for purposes of exercise while allowing them to re-enter the house without special assistance from the keeper. At the same time these houses are constructed to keep the pigeons safe from predators and inclement weather and give them nesting places in which to raise their young.

• Young Pigeons
• For the first 22-28 days chicks are to be nested then placed in communal loft. Then after the chicks are approximately 6 to 7 weeks they are aloud outside and will gradually start flying in small circles above the roost, which will increase with the birds confidence and strength these can last for up to 2 hours. Pigeons will become sexually mature at 6 months but most breeders leave for a few months more, they lay 2 eggs 44 hours apart, which will incubate for 18 days.
• Housing pigeons
• Pens should provide stimuli and birds must be able to display a range of behaviours including flight where possible and also an escape area for timid birds as this will avoid stress and injury. Up to 6 birds require 2m squared with up to 12 birds in 3m squared. For larger numbers you will need to add 0.15m squared per bird. Long narrow pens are best as they allow flight with only one side exposed to the elements. Solid flooring which is non slip is recommended which makes for a good foraging area.
• Environmental enrichment
• Mirrors, foliage, bells will enrich the life of the birds. Perches should be available for each bird at different levels or box perches 30-15cm to simulate the natural environment.
• Diet
• Pigeons are omnivores and should be given a variety of grains and greens a poultry protein supplement is also given (when putting food down put in separate space from deification area). Good practise states that each bird is given 10cm space for feeding which allows all birds to have access to food and eat simultaneously
• Parasites
• This can be a problem but regular cleaning and good upkeep of the aviary will help minimise this. It is important that the entire coop is regularly cleaned, as many parasites such as red mites do not live on the host and thrives in dirty bedding, rotten wood etc.
• Transportation
• Bird bags may be used for up to a thirty minute journey, but on longer journeys caged or boxed birds must have sufficient space to assume normal posture and engage in preening, but it is not advisable to allow enough space for flight as it can lead to injury; group housing in transport is only acceptable if birds do not fight. Padding the ceiling of the box and making sure the floor is non-slip is advisable. Keep birds dimly lit but with enough light to move. Water must be provided on long journeys (a wet sponge in a bowl seems to be a common practice). If the temperature is over 20 degrees birds should be transported at night or the coolest part of the day. Transport should not occur if the vehicle is previously dirty without full cleaning and disinfection first, and the vehicle should be cleaned within 24hrs of use. Ensure all cleaning waste, litter, excreta etc is destroyed, treated to remove the risk of transmissible disease or disposed of so no animals have access.
• Catching and handling
• Birds should be handled as infrequently as possible but when necessary the animal should be kept as unstressed as possible. When catching it is essential to avoid excessive flapping due to the delicate structure of the wings. Make sure wings are in a natural resting position before handling and never pick up or carry birds by the wings. Also great care must be taken to ensure breathing is not being restricted. Breathing is powered by the action of the sternum so do not restrict this. If catching with a net, once caught, carefully restrain the head and wings before moving from the net. An acceptable handling technique is the ‘Ringers grip’ with the bird on its back with the neck between 1^st and 2^nd finger using the 3^rd and 4^th to gently restrain the body and legs. Handling the birds is stressful for them and may cause disorientation so they should be released in a sitting position on the floor and never in mid air.

Further information can be obtained from:

Wildlife and Countryside act (1981)

The European Bird Directive (1995)

The Transport of Animals (cleaning and disinfection) Wales order 2003

Council regulation (E.C) 1/2005