The ideal weight of a racing pigeon generally ranges from 300 to 400 grams (10.6 to 14.1 oz), though the exact target depends heavily on the distance of the race, the sex of the bird, and its muscle-to-fat ratio.
Ideal Weight by Race Distance and Sex
• Sprinters (Short-Distance):
• Males: 280 – 320 grams (9.9 – 11.3 oz)
• Females: 260 – 300 grams (9.2 – 10.6 oz)
• Middle-Distance:
• Males: 300 – 350 grams (10.6 – 12.3 oz)
• Females: 280 – 330 grams (9.9 – 11.6 oz)
• Long-Distance (Marathon):
• Males: 320 – 380 grams (11.3 – 13.4 oz)
• Females: 300 – 360 grams (10.6 – 12.7 oz)
Key Condition Factors
• Lean vs. Plump: Racing pigeons should feel lean, agile, and firm in the hand with strong, flat chest muscles rather than heavy or plump.
• The Keel Bone: A prominent, sharp keel (breastbone) often means the bird is underweight, while excessive fat under the skin slows the bird down during flight.
• Fluctuation Range: Top-condition birds usually stay within a tight window of ±10 grams of their ideal peak weight
So what are your thoughts on this subject, do you think it makes a difference? And i know people say the basket tells you, but is there any other thoughts on this.
The ideal weight
It's only my thoughts, but I like my pigeons to be like racehorses. They need to be athletic. Not carrying extra weight.
Which is why I prefer a lighter easily digestible feed. On a light mix they are more active, fly harder and are fitter. And they can be fed more of it so there isn't the worry of having to control the amount like with a stronger mixture.
I used to think this was correct for sprinters, but I've spoken to people who win long races with the same method.
Just goes to show there's more than one way to do it.
Which is why I prefer a lighter easily digestible feed. On a light mix they are more active, fly harder and are fitter. And they can be fed more of it so there isn't the worry of having to control the amount like with a stronger mixture.
I used to think this was correct for sprinters, but I've spoken to people who win long races with the same method.
Just goes to show there's more than one way to do it.
Murray's Loft
"Well THAT didn't work".
"Well THAT didn't work".
Any Winner is the ideal weight. Each bird is different. I've never weighed a pigeon in my life.
I do recall sending to a 400 mile race, I handled a fanciers birds who I thought were very light. My old sec who also handled them thought they handled perfect (both flew widowhood). They both handled my birds and both thought mine were overweight. The winning bird of the race was flying over 11hrs. Out of the 3 of us, I was the only one who had their clock read off
And although I agree birds should not be overweight and heavy, I'd rather send a bird slightly heavier than underweight. Pigeons can fly weight off, they never put it on when racing.
I do recall sending to a 400 mile race, I handled a fanciers birds who I thought were very light. My old sec who also handled them thought they handled perfect (both flew widowhood). They both handled my birds and both thought mine were overweight. The winning bird of the race was flying over 11hrs. Out of the 3 of us, I was the only one who had their clock read off
And although I agree birds should not be overweight and heavy, I'd rather send a bird slightly heavier than underweight. Pigeons can fly weight off, they never put it on when racing.
I'd have to agree with that, a bird that is underweight is up against it before it even leaves the box. It's not going to have the reserves of energy.king wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2026 1:12 am Any Winner is the ideal weight. Each bird is different. I've never weighed a pigeon in my life.
I do recall sending to a 400 mile race, I handled a fanciers birds who I thought were very light. My old sec who also handled them thought they handled perfect (both flew widowhood). They both handled my birds and both thought mine were overweight. The winning bird of the race was flying over 11hrs. Out of the 3 of us, I was the only one who had their clock read off
And although I agree birds should not be overweight and heavy, I'd rather send a bird slightly heavier than underweight. Pigeons can fly weight off, they never put it on when racing.
Also like horses, some of them seem to have a heavier physique and carry a bit more condition, some are like racing sardines.
Murray's Loft
"Well THAT didn't work".
"Well THAT didn't work".
I was very good friends with Nigel cowood who believed heavily in weighing birds ...I done it for years every Tuesday in an amtrack box. I can tell you every pigeon has its ideal weight, it is not set in stone as this posts weight makes it to sound it to be, neither does the distance. No matter what race your racing you won't win with an overweight pigeon
I just looked at an old conversation regarding this and my cocks varied from 15 ounces to 17 ounces.....in theory according to the original post they shouldn't have won a carrot but they ended the season winning sprint championship in the federation
Tony,Tony-P- wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2026 4:39 pm might be a daft question but from my point of view how would I know if my birds are ok with their weight ?
I used to weigh every Tuesday, reason being they would have recovered any lose weight from Saturdays race by then. I'm stringent for records, and I would record where the pigeons came to the loft and in the club each week. Those that are scoring and winning clubs, feds, amals, I would set them up to be the same weight next time I sent them to their chosen race. What I would find when they was this weight is when they performed at their best.