Guide to Buying Racing Pigeons – Part 1 of 6
Buying in Volume
In this six-part guide to buying racing pigeons we will cover four approaches to replacing or increasing and improving your racing stock. The first approach we will discuss is buying in volume. Buying in volume is the least expensive way to buy racing pigeons. Some fanciers buy a large number of late-hatch babies, while others prefer to purchase the pigeon eggs from a breeder.
Selecting the Right Breeder
Before you purchase any eggs or hatchlings, you need to evaluate the breeder. Study the breeder’s loft from some time before you make the decision to buy. Some criteria you need to evaluate:
- Breeder’s overall reputation
- Outcome other fanciers have had with this breeder’s birds
- Examine race and futurity records of the breeder’s birds for:
- Success of the loft within its own competition
- Racing success of the breeder’s birds sold to other fanciers
Continue to gather information. Talk with the breeder/fancier. Inquire as to his most successful pairs of breeders thus far. This is important to know. In lofts the size of 40 to 50 breeding pairs, the breeder should have at least eight or ten outstanding pairs that produce a higher percentage of offspring than the others.
When you have identified the top pairs in the loft, and you are satisfied with this particular breeder, make arrangements to purchase their young. Many fanciers will allow you to come and choose the young while still in the nest, so be certain to copy their band numbers for future verification.
Dealing with New Breeders
You may not want to limit yourself to established breeders when buying racing pigeons. If you find an excellent young pair of breeders, particularly a pair that has produced two or three great racers, you may want to purchase the babies. Quite often they produce a higher quality bird.
European Breeders
You may have the opportunity to travel to Europe to purchase racing pigeons. Prior to your travel, thoroughly research the breeders you are considering. The top lofts in Europe will most likely not sell you their best breeders or best racers, but they should be willing to sell their young. Be sure to buy from pairs with the high percentage of success to improve the odds that you will get good birds.
Middle-Distance Racing Pigeons
Personally, I like to purchase middle-distance racers. These birds have the ability to fly 300 to 400-mile races as young birds. I find these races to be the most lucrative. So, it certainly benefits me to find birds that can do that. This is something you may want to consider.
Disadvantages of Buying Young Birds
Of course, the obvious disadvantage with buying young racing pigeons is the unpredictability. There is no guarantee in how they may turn out. On average, fewer than 20% of all racing pigeons turn out to be suitable racers. So, keep in mind, out of ten birds you purchase, only two may be ‘keepers’. But, if you are dealing with reputable fanciers, you can buy about ten young birds for the price that one proven racer will cost you. That’s where the value lies.
Potential Advantage of Buying Young Birds
Though, overall, you have to buy many more ‘unproven’ birds to get suitable racers, you may strike gold with finding real gem among your purchased birds. If this ‘gem’ was in the hands of the original owner, you wouldn’t be able to buy it of any sum of money.
to Craig poido: you still use bleach in the drinking water??? I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU to try and drink that water yourself. All you are doing in dehydrating your pigeons on the days you put bleach in the water. They will take only enough sips to stay alive, because two teaspoons (less than a capful) in a gallon is enough to make a human vomit! I spoke directly with Clorox Bleach Company, and all it takes is 16 drops of bleach in a gallon of water to kill all bacteria up to typhoid! This includes the AIDS virus – so why are you burning out your birds???
This is true folks,if you look on the OLD bottles of bleach, the concentration is much higher now.Think before you use item folks, your birds will do better for it.
Hi friends some of you are saying lot about using a bleech in water you do not use capful you only put a drop and half in one gallon of water that does no harm to your birds also what do pigeon fanciers think about Verkon S that is stronger than Bleech
well a good one, actually i have at present 16 pairs which are breed and bought in last eight months. i bought ten youngesters from a renowned breeder in july this year but unfortunately only three of them survived. the remaining three are fine and healthy. what is the right time to buy youngesters? what should i be looking for in those youngesters?
Another good reason to start out with youngsters is that you don’t have to deal with prisoners!
Hey all , Like always very good info and teaching skills on here …. I was actually looking at getting more birds , pairs…. Then switched my train of thought …. and decided on some late hatches and younger birds seeing that the price is a big difference and I will also be able to fly these Homers when the right time comes …. So This time around you’s actually saved me alot of wasted time on birds and lots of money ….. Much appreciated ….. Without this type of help one could sure waiste alot of time and Cash …. Very Good Information, Peace and Thank You , Mike
in buying pigeon i expected that their some expensive pigeon that have quality in race but their something not
i don’t have time to race pigeons. I am a farmer who enjoys looking up and seeing birds flying overhead and knowing that those are my birds. After a loss of my birds, I’m having some trouble finding homers for sale. I’m interested in a few breeding pairs for my small hobby.I live southeast Mo. area and would like some info about bird sales etc.Any info would be appreciated. Andy B.
All of everybodys comments make sence club flyers that help out a beginner most time wont send any bird off there best breeders but heres how you do it that same breeders more then likely is going to put his best birds in the club auction race that’s were you can get good birds and maybe even end up winning some money for you and the breeder but if not once the bird has trained out at the end of the season you should be able to have a few good foundation birds.
GOOD LUCK
ROYAL
@Gille, I’m more than 100 percent agree with what you share in what you read in certain article of Ad Schaerlaeckens. Thumbs up!!!
I will buy youngsters at auctions I will not buy an old bird at an auction unless it’s has lots of diplomas backing it up and it’s relatives need to be diploma winners on both sides. As Ad Schaelaeckens said. “Cull the bad ones, sell the good ones and keep the best ones.” I really believe that statement. I’ve found success in purchasing birds at the one loft races races where they need to turn the birds in order to get ready for next years race. Remember the flyers entering birds in these races are paying some big entry fees so they are not sending in junk.
i remember years ago when i first started racing as a junior flyer back in 1977 at the time i was the grand old age 14 a experienced old flyer said to me when there right son you could feed them coo coo pops thats always stuck in my head what im trying to say is there is quite a lot of different ways to feed our feathered friends ive forgotten half of what ive learnt its a tough game but dear friends never give up feed is only a part of it you must have good loft management as well poido