UkPigeonRacing

So if you were looking to start up in this sport, what do you think the the true cost. This is before you buy any birds, we are just looking at a good size loft with all the equipment need?

Well at the moment I have a 10ft x 6ft shed, which I am looking to expand it to 14ft x 6ft so I would need timber and boards for this plus other materials, so I would say, £150.00 all materials to extend the shed to a loft.
Then I would need to fit out the inside of the loft, partitions, breeding boxes, perches plus sliding doors on the front and a Trap, Feeders and Drinkers, bins for corn, so I would be looking at say, £300.00
Then I would need the clocking system not sure on price but lets say £300.00
Then I would need corn for the birds now I'm up to to scratch with feed for the birds I'm looking to bring in you will all know better than me so lets say I spend £100.00 to start me off.
So before I put a bird in the loft I would be looking at say.....£850.00 to £1000.00 plus the birds.
Am I way off Devo ????

Think you might be looking at nearer 450 plus to extend the shed mate. Material prices have gone crazy this last year.

Diamond Dave wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 12:07 pm Think you might be looking at nearer 450 plus to extend the shed mate. Material prices have gone crazy this last year.

Would agree with that

Devo1956 wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 11:14 am So if you were looking to start up in this sport, what do you think the the true cost. This is before you buy any birds, we are just looking at a good size loft with all the equipment need?

This is a question that really can't be answered with a set cost. In truth it can be very cheap to start up. The loft can be a box on a wall, a shed or loft? What equipment do you really need? A drinker and a scraper?
When I started I used the shed that was in the garden already, It had already housed every pet I had before from rabbits, to budgies. I was given a Eltex enamel drinker (which I still have but don't now use) and my scraper was a wall paper scraper. Got given a few nestbowls (still have them 50 years later) Total cost ZERO.
My advice to any new starter is spend as little as possible, you can always up grade if you continue in the sport.

king wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 1:00 pm

Devo1956 wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 11:14 am So if you were looking to start up in this sport, what do you think the the true cost. This is before you buy any birds, we are just looking at a good size loft with all the equipment need?

This is a question that really can't be answered with a set cost. In truth it can be very cheap to start up. The loft can be a box on a wall, a shed or loft? What equipment do you really need? A drinker and a scraper?
When I started I used the shed that was in the garden already, It had already housed every pet I had before from rabbits, to budgies. I was given a Eltex enamel drinker (which I still have but don't now use) and my scraper was a wall paper scraper. Got given a few nestbowls (still have them 50 years later) Total cost ZERO.
My advice to any new starter is spend as little as possible, you can always up grade if you continue in the sport.

I do agree with that. you can start with little to non but you could also start with much. My true advise with alot in life is. Buy what you can afford and what you is willing to spend !

Diamond Dave wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 12:07 pm Think you might be looking at nearer 450 plus to extend the shed mate. Material prices have gone crazy this last year.

I'm a Joiner by trade so its not what you know, if you know what I mean haha

Spieker-Loft wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 1:33 pm

king wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 1:00 pm

Devo1956 wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 11:14 am So if you were looking to start up in this sport, what do you think the the true cost. This is before you buy any birds, we are just looking at a good size loft with all the equipment need?

This is a question that really can't be answered with a set cost. In truth it can be very cheap to start up. The loft can be a box on a wall, a shed or loft? What equipment do you really need? A drinker and a scraper?
When I started I used the shed that was in the garden already, It had already housed every pet I had before from rabbits, to budgies. I was given a Eltex enamel drinker (which I still have but don't now use) and my scraper was a wall paper scraper. Got given a few nestbowls (still have them 50 years later) Total cost ZERO.
My advice to any new starter is spend as little as possible, you can always up grade if you continue in the sport.

I do agree with that. you can start with little to non but you could also start with much. My true advise with alot in life is. Buy what you can afford and what you is willing to spend !

that's true Leon, you can't spend what you haven't got I will be trying to keep the cost down as much as possible.

I think all the answers that have come in, is a true reaction of each members thoughts. So thanks for all replys, it does help other members.

as people have said I think it depends on if your building a new loft, buying someone else loft ect....
I people can help others out with a few things then it would help keep the cost down