UkPigeonRacing

Tony-P- wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:49 am Thanks fellas, I will crack on with these birds and see how I get on with the breeding season, hopefully breed some nice quality birds
thanks for all the advice and support

Diamond Dave wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 9:24 am Tony, it's not just your birds you have to teach - its also yourself mate.
Great advice from all the lads here that will save you years in time but like several of the lads have said it wont happen overnight. You have to expect that it might not happen for a couple of seasons either.
Part of your job is to influence everything they do - be the boss - or they will frustrate you. If you fancy a couple of pairs to go together, don't just hope they do, make sure they do, that way you can prove to yourself that your idea did or didn't work.
Most of all mate just enjoy your first couple of years don't put pressure on yourself - does it really matter that you are at the bottom of the sheet in your first couple of years. If you are coming into the sport with too high a level of expectation you are only gonna be disappointed.

Murray wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 5:07 am

Tony-P- wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:49 am Thanks fellas, I will crack on with these birds and see how I get on with the breeding season, hopefully breed some nice quality birds
thanks for all the advice and support

That's the story, Tony.
It sounds like you have a good team of pigeons to start breeding with. Breed a nice bunch of youngsters, test them out and keep the best.
Then maybe in a couple of years, when you've got the hang of it and the birds are doing well, you might go to a successful flyer, someone who is killing it in your area and ask if you can get one pair of late breds off his best pair at the end of the season.
Put them straight to stock and pair them to the best pigeons you have bred so far.
With an ounce of luck you should get some good youngsters from them.
Be wary of getting stock pigeons from outside. They may be well bred and possibly were good racers, but if they are more than a couple of years old chances are they've been tried and found wanting. Being honest, nobody is going to give you their top breeders. That's why I much prefer to bring in youngsters for the stock shed. They may not be much good either, but at least they have a chance.

Diamond Dave wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 9:24 am Tony, it's not just your birds you have to teach - its also yourself mate.
Great advice from all the lads here that will save you years in time but like several of the lads have said it wont happen overnight. You have to expect that it might not happen for a couple of seasons either.
Part of your job is to influence everything they do - be the boss - or they will frustrate you. If you fancy a couple of pairs to go together, don't just hope they do, make sure they do, that way you can prove to yourself that your idea did or didn't work.
Most of all mate just enjoy your first couple of years don't put pressure on yourself - does it really matter that you are at the bottom of the sheet in your first couple of years. If you are coming into the sport with too high a level of expectation you are only gonna be disappointed.

Andy wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 2:58 pm Good reply Dave. It’s as much about enjoying the pigeons than actually winning races. The club camaraderie and the friends you’ll make are just as important.

Tony-P- wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 3:43 pm

Diamond Dave wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2026 9:24 am Tony, it's not just your birds you have to teach - its also yourself mate.
Great advice from all the lads here that will save you years in time but like several of the lads have said it wont happen overnight. You have to expect that it might not happen for a couple of seasons either.
Part of your job is to influence everything they do - be the boss - or they will frustrate you. If you fancy a couple of pairs to go together, don't just hope they do, make sure they do, that way you can prove to yourself that your idea did or didn't work.
Most of all mate just enjoy your first couple of years don't put pressure on yourself - does it really matter that you are at the bottom of the sheet in your first couple of years. If you are coming into the sport with too high a level of expectation you are only gonna be disappointed.

Totally understand what your saying Dave I've not set myself to big a target, just to get the birds paired up and see if the breed, if not a bit of swap and change see if that works. And yes I 'll be looking to get a Team of Y/Bs out of these for next years race season I don't mind coming last on the sheet I can only work on getting higher mate Its a hobby that I have wanted to be involved in for many years and something as always stopped me, but now I have the birds I will give it my best shot. Thanks for the advice Dave hopefully I can let you know I have some Y/Bs in the new year

Devo1956 wrote: Thu Oct 15, 2026 12:12 am When I started with the birds, I started with birds from different members. I paid for them, and it didn't bother me. I was just happy to get on with them. So first year i won Hereford 2 young bird race, Toped liverpool Amal 7200 youngsters. I felt good but my work become more important, So i had to start working out of town. To earn good money. So birds were given away, free of course and the amal young bird was given back to the breeder for free. In and out with the birds was a problem, but a family to keep and working away. Nice job in Germany paying very well took its toll. On returning to Liverpool. So it was latter in life i started again, and i returned to the sport. So when i say it is a 365 day sport, it is and i could not be there for work resons.
Later i must say I spent thousands on my stock loft, and did well selling youngsters. Then when i was told i Had Ild. The birds have to go, it was hard to understand at first. But your family is more important i was told by family and friends. So yes all the birds went to good homes, but also at good prices because they were quality.
Sorry i forgot to mention my Speed champion, in the Costa Del Sol Olr 2018. Speed champion over 6 races, I brought her home to my breeding loft. I spent some time getting her right. But that is part of looking after you birds. So i loved my time i had with the birds, so when it all goes you have nothing but memories. But that is life i guess, Nothing to do loft, is a lazy loft. There is always something to do., I and i enjoyed my life with the birds. And they rnjoyed life woth me.