UkPigeonRacing

NeilA wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 5:59 am How much do you think racing systems matter
Would the best pigeons be the best no matter what or is it more important to motivate a pigeon

It’s the age old question Neil, IMO the best birds will win on any system, having said that I think system for the type of racing you like is important. As you know I like natural but I don’t think that system is the best for weekly sprint racing even though I’ve topped the fed from 65 miles on it you just can’t get the consistency. It wasn’t long ago fanciers said hens couldn’t beat widowhood cocks now as many hens go as cocks. I think motivation is the real key to getting a super performance.

NeilA wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 5:59 am How much do you think racing systems matter
Would the best pigeons be the best no matter what or is it more important to motivate a pigeon

Think good are good n rubbish is rubbish, iv birds here that have won as
Paired baby's, celibacy, double widowhood,
So don't think system matters ,think being in condition n not over weight helps massively,,
When I mark birds a great percentage are either fat,skinny,or out of condition.

Think if ya a good coach,manager of the birds they perform any system. As long as the birds are good students .

NeilA wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 9:21 am Do you flag your naturals Steve

No not usually

NeilA wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 5:59 am How much do you think racing systems matter
Would the best pigeons be the best no matter what or is it more important to motivate a pigeon

We've a hen there she flew well as a youngster, won twice as a yearling on roundabout, won sitting 10 days (70 miles) and won on totall widowhood. Think she finished 11 times on amal sheet and 12 times on fed. Topped fed only once but had she been flying to a more favorably loft location she'd have trebled that. All under 280 miles. I personally believe a good pigeon is a good pigeon and we as fanciers over play how important we are to them to make ourselves feel good.

My pal use to get hens on first baby of Yr for longest race but many times had a widowhood cock n natural hen arrive together from 460 Miles or so .

I was told that if you get a 6 hour fly in two ya birds then you can set them up for any distance not extreme distance, my pal had a hen he wanted a 4 hour fly for her to set her up for messac but it turned out bad race and hen done way two much 8 or 9 hours I think so he missed massac n set her up for bergerac so this hen had 1 bad race n straight in to longest race of season n was 3rd open ,she would of got lots of rd work but shows they don't need guts raced out of them either.

NeilA wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:20 pm

Anthony webster wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:11 pm My pal use to get hens on first baby of Yr for longest race but many times had a widowhood cock n natural hen arrive together from 460 Miles or so .

I thought just have a few separate to my upto 400 miles birds as I got a thing about them loft flying at different times to the distance birds
If I had distance birds they would really only be for Lerwick or a hard Thurso maybe as back up if Fraserburgh was a pig like under 1000 yom day
It’s just time though and if it worth it for a couple of races a year

Terry Haley flies really well down your way doesn't he Neil totally natural and has done for many many years. Think I read he won fed 6 times this year. Short and long distance with same pigeons

goose1 wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:44 pm

NeilA wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:20 pm

Anthony webster wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:11 pm My pal use to get hens on first baby of Yr for longest race but many times had a widowhood cock n natural hen arrive together from 460 Miles or so .

I thought just have a few separate to my upto 400 miles birds as I got a thing about them loft flying at different times to the distance birds
If I had distance birds they would really only be for Lerwick or a hard Thurso maybe as back up if Fraserburgh was a pig like under 1000 yom day
It’s just time though and if it worth it for a couple of races a year

Terry Haley flies really well down your way doesn't he Neil totally natural and has done for many many years. Think I read he won fed 6 times this year. Short and long distance with same pigeons

What a flyer Terry is flys natural trains all directions and races brilliant north south at all levels ,,he's one flyer I really admire in this sport and a nice person the few times iv met him.

Anthony webster wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:48 pm

goose1 wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:44 pm

NeilA wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:20 pm

I thought just have a few separate to my upto 400 miles birds as I got a thing about them loft flying at different times to the distance birds
If I had distance birds they would really only be for Lerwick or a hard Thurso maybe as back up if Fraserburgh was a pig like under 1000 yom day
It’s just time though and if it worth it for a couple of races a year

Terry Haley flies really well down your way doesn't he Neil totally natural and has done for many many years. Think I read he won fed 6 times this year. Short and long distance with same pigeons

What a flyer Terry is flys natural trains all directions and races brilliant north south at all levels ,,he's one flyer I really admire in this sport and a nice person the few times iv met him.

Yeah definitely seems from the old school top class fancier. Very simplistic approach and good mate of Mark Bulleds as well I believe.