Starting out

[Held2025]

Hi new to pigeon racing so if you was going to start out how would you source your young birds and how many would you start with? Will be interesting to read other people’s opinions and give me something to think about. Starting out with a 8x6 loft for ybs and will be building a 12x8 during next season. Obviously next season is going to be a massive learning curve, thanks look forward to reading replies.

[Anthony webster]

6x8 loft should keep 24 baby's healthy n happy with stress levels normal
Find out if you want to race short distance or long distance
Find a great flyer don't ask for he's 1st or 2nd round baby's ask to purchase he's 3rd round baby's,,
Don't be soft on them you will only delay losing birds that will get lost any way ,listen to the Man who bred the birds and I think you be fine ,do not listen to everyone ya head will pop u be changing things daily n the birds and you won't do any good ok.

[Bowbroom]

Good advice from Anthony, you’ll not go far wrong

[Held2025]

Welcome to the site Held, if it was myself setting up. I would be looking at a team of youngsters, around 24 youngsters at the most. Depending on where you live, i am sure some members may give you some advice. On where you could get some good youngsters to start. I hope you get involved with some of the topics.

Thanks Devo I’m in merseyside, I was going for about 20 so 24 will do me. Yes hoping to get some advice off experienced people hopefully someone local can point me in the right direction for some decent birds.

[Held2025]

6x8 loft should keep 24 baby's healthy n happy with stress levels normal
Find out if you want to race short distance or long distance
Find a great flyer don't ask for he's 1st or 2nd round baby's ask to purchase he's 3rd round baby's,,
Don't be soft on them you will only delay losing birds that will get lost any way ,listen to the Man who bred the birds and I think you be fine ,do not listen to everyone ya head will pop u be changing things daily n the birds and you won't do any good ok.

Thanks Anthony would you split half short and half long? I do fancy some of the channel races definitely something for me to consider. What’s the benefit of 3rd round of babies or is it just that I’m more likely to get some off him if asking for 3rd round? What would your training look like regarding distance and from what age? I can imagine so many different views and opinions

[Held2025]

Welcome to the site Held, if it was myself setting up. I would be looking at a team of youngsters, around 24 youngsters at the most. Depending on where you live, i am sure some members may give you some advice. On where you could get some good youngsters to start. I hope you get involved with some of the topics.

Thanks Devo I’m in merseyside, I was going for about 20 so 24 will do me. Yes hoping to get some advice off experienced people hopefully someone local can point me in the right direction for some decent birds.

One of our members on the site Richie, would be a good contact for you Held. I am sure other members on the site, could give you feedback on his birds.

Yes that would be good if they could or if he could message me thanks.

[Held2025]

That's good advice you've had. Start with a nice team of young birds. That will give you an immediate start to racing, and it's surprising how many new starters do very well in their first season, possibly because they put so much effort into it.
Also getting old birds and breeding your own can be a quick way to disappointment. It is only natural that not many people are going to let you have their top breeders, so you are likely to end up with breeders that have already proven second grade or useless.
Best of luck, I hope you have great success!

Thanks Murray I did consider buying a couple of birds from a loft and trying to breed my own but as you say probably second grade or useless, unless I find a pair with some wins or consistent results between them. I may still do this with a couple of pairs from auction site. Is it as easy as buying 2 pairs cocks and hens and will they just pair up?

[Held2025]

Yep, breeding pigeons is the easiest thing in the world. Two pigeons and box for them to nest in, away they go.
Breeding good pigeons, slightly harder,
I think the advice you have had to start with a team of youngsters to cut your teeth on, so to speak, is the best way. Once again, buying old pigeons off an auction site, the question is, why are they being sold?
If you join a club and make some contacts, you may find that some people could have some very nice young birds off their top breeders at the end of the season, that they need to move on to make space. That can be a way to obtain some very well bred potential breeding pigeons.
But hasten slowly. Get some babies, get the hang of caring for them and worry about breeding latter.

Yes I just need to be patient try make a few contacts in local club and be pointed in the right direction, eager to get going but also keen on listening to good advice to save me time and wasting money on useless birds, obviously want to try and put together the best young bird team I can but I know it’s also going to be trial and error but looking forward to it.

[Bowbroom]

Getting to know your local club is the way to start, I’m sure they would welcome you and show you the ropes.
I hope you get as much pleasure out of the game as I have over the 60 years

[Anthony webster]

Distance pigeons don't exercise or eat like sprint pigeons I would choose 1 and learn about that first instead of trying both at once ,better to be good at one things instead of average at 2 things ok pal.