Is there a quick guide about homing racing pigeons ???

[mobeasto123]

Hi there I'll get 6 new of the years pigeons on may 16th . I've had some Feral before and Done nothing but shooting them while training my dog but it's finally quite expensive when you have to make 5 hours run to have some .. But they had a great loft and lot of food and water.. But now I really don't now about Racing pigeons. I won't shoot em for sure, but how do I do to make them get back to their loft.. I think I have to keep them closed in their loft for 4-5 weeks before they can go out.. ( can they go in their aviary??) .. What about feeding some say you have to let them out hungry and be sure they have food when they are back.. How much do you feed them ?
What about the 1st time the first time they go out.. Etc !!! Can someone explain me The Big HOW-TO !!!

Thanks in advance

David

[sniperjon]

Look at a post from jan,30 under training I think it was titled reaising pigeons

[Wildweeds]

If the birds you get have the least bit of instinct it should be a breeze,put the squeakers in your loft,allow them access to the aviary and supply them with food and clean water.Mother nature will do the rest for you.Let them acclimate to the aviary and after a couple weeks open the loft,let them fly about and explore,don't worry they will come back to the food and water.After they get acclimated to flying around your yard,box them up and haul them a quarter mile and turn them loose,then do a half mile,then a mile and work your way up to the distance you'll need from your training area.Never mattered to me that they hit the loft upon return I wasn't racing and had more than enough birds to do what I wanted.Hawks will get some that is a fact.When the hawks come through your area while migrating lock your birds down in the coop or one by one they will be picked off.

[DonF]

Sounds to me like you've got some strong miss-belief's. Your ferals were only kill birds and got to expensive? Why? I've had no trouble getting them to home up to 50 miles and had a few that would double that. Start with the same number of feral squeekers and you'd have the same results as with homer's but at somewhat less distence. The homer's are a lot gentler bird and much less nervious. But I found out yesterday that once in a while, when not pushed to hard, a homer might just walk arouind in front of your dog. Shocked me to lift a trap with my toe knocking it over to let the pigeon out and it just walked away! Never seen that happen before. Go near a nest with a feral in it on eggs and it will resert the nest, a homer's won't. Stick your hand into a homer nest and the hommer will slap the tar out of you with a wing, sometimes even peck.

I think they eat about the same. I give the homer's 1 oz each twice a day. I free feed the ferals and a bag of their feed last's just a bit longer.

Your definately not going to shoot your homer's? Wanna bet? Something that they really have in common with ferals is they like to breed! You'll either sell, give away or shoot your excess birds! You don't and you'll end up with a lot more than you want!

[Brittguy]

here is a link to a pigeon forum that is very informative http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/index.php . Look in the hall of fame post in this forum

[mobeasto123]

Your definately not going to shoot your homer's? Wanna bet? Something that they really have in common with ferals is they like to breed! You'll either sell, give away or shoot your excess birds! You don't and you'll end up with a lot more than you want!

Sure I'm gonna shoot The excess bird cause My loft is for about 10-12 birds to be comfortable.. It will be some extra for me.. Maybe I'll call my poor Friend to help him out with his brItt that won't point anymore and see if I can resolve his problem..

Thanks guys for your answers

David

[gotpointers]

I dont see much difference With either. keep new birds on eggs and they will be back. Offspring born there will be back. Run them hungry and gradually increase distance and you will avoid predation. My high dollar homers were hammered by hawks just as quick as ferals when they linger out of the coop.