UkPigeonRacing

I might just train a few young this year and race them the following year is that good or bad idea???

Chris1978 wrote: Mon Jul 13, 2026 9:34 pm I might just train a few young this year and race them the following year is that good or bad idea???

Chris it may be for the best, train them up to 30 mile mate. If you dont think they are ready for racing, go with your thoughts.

Should they be ok for racing next year ?

Chris1978 wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2026 12:04 am Should they be ok for racing next year ?

Just speaking from own experience. Had a yb last year that i only trained twice with the combine furthest was 37 miles.
She was basketed 10x this year and didn't come back once at a decent time. could just be unlucky but i wouldn't suggest training them just a few miles as yb and race them as yearlings

And a good mate of mine in our combine didn't race 2025 ybs either and this year he started with 24 lost 20 after 11 races and from all the 24 there was 1 that did okay

Chris1978 wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2026 12:04 am Should they be ok for racing next year ?

I raced birds for near on 50 years. I can count on one hand, birds I had that were any good that were not raced as YBs. Either train them hard or try to get at least one race from them.

king wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2026 12:14 am

Chris1978 wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2026 12:04 am Should they be ok for racing next year ?

I raced birds for near on 50 years. I can count on one hand, birds I had that were any good that were not raced as YBs. Either train them hard or try to get at least one race from them.

That's my thoughts exactly. Not educating them as young birds is not being kind to them, it's just setting them up for failure.
In Chris's case I think he might be best to train them, lots of short ones and a few up the road a bit further then put them away. Chris is new and has a kit of late breds. They can learn the ropes together and be better equipped to race next year. It would be very disappointing if he lost them now.
Good keen new flyers are hard to find

Just go with the flow Chris, you know if they are ready for racing or not. Train and routine routine, release and trap.

Evan if I send them as traing in club sounds beter or I will train them hard 30 miles put them up in small kits

Chris I like a later bred young bird and I try to "fast - track" them into the race basket. I have 2 coming in a weeks time which I will push very hard to catch-up with
the older young birds who are already at 18 miles.
They seem to learn quicker and I guarantee ( if I haven't lost them by then)that they will be in the race basket for the last couple of races.
These birds have often turned out to be my best yearlings and old birds.
If you are worried about having birds for breeding next
year, train them all but only race one of each pair.