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Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:08 am
by Harry's Loft
What are people's approach on this?
At the moment I'm struggling for time with the birds so they are getting at least one 20 mile chuck a day and maybe 2 if I get chance
The training spot there and back is 1 hour in total so the same as having lets say having the young cocks out
Do you think this is enough work for them before the first race or would you loft fly instead?
Cheers
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:42 am
by Devo1956
Getting a 20-mile chuck will only halp them, but even better with some loft flying. You have to find the system that is right for you and your birds. Good luck Harry.
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:51 am
by Rdhd Danny
We don't loft fly them once they have homed and started rooting the area well we do two chucks a day but it's all personal choice mate
no right or wrong but you get better racing birds if they only do chucks consistently imo I also don't allow them freedom in the loft we shutter them into the pipo boxes after feeding from return not orthodox but works
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 10:37 am
by CHARLTON34
Would you say that darkness ybs don't go off ranging compared to natural ybs.
Do you think they should be trained at say from 9 week of age or when they have still got yellow down still on there heads, better to have them thinking early & up flying.
Would you agree that ybs bred in December don't range & pigeons bred around April more naturally are better for racing, just thought with the heavy losses over the last 2 weekends you all might have an opinion.
Are we as fancier's causing the losses because we are breeding to early, & from inferior stock ( paper pigeons) not from tried & tested pigeons, just don't think it's all down to bop any thoughts could of been atmospheric conditions, & I'm not sure or how we can avoid these issues moving forward.
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 10:56 am
by Rdhd Danny
I agree April are way better but then it's a serious battle to get them performing, but we have done the darkness without issues for a long time my question would be what's different now? I think a lot of the losses come back to birds that have had rota or other issues like Alley brothers and think the birds are healthy and recovered when they not! people rushing to get into first race when the birds simply are not ready! and liberation of South and north roads together all adds up to catastrophe!
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 11:21 am
by Devo1956
Rdhd Danny wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 10:56 am
I agree April are way better but then it's a serious battle to get them performing, but we have done the darkness without issues for a long time my question would be what's different now? I think a lot of the losses come back to birds that have had rota or other issues like Alley brothers and think the birds are healthy and recovered when they not! people rushing to get into first race when the birds simply are not ready! and liberation of South and north roads together all adds up to catastrophe!
I have to agree Danny, there can be too much stress put on young birds. A natural development needs to take place, so time of breeding to cope with all the tasks needed. To get them ready for the first race, so natural progression needed.
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 11:25 am
by Rdhd Danny
@devo
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 11:58 am
by Andy
CHARLTON34 wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 10:37 am
Would you say that darkness ybs don't go off ranging compared to natural ybs.
Do you think they should be trained at say from 9 week of age or when they have still got yellow down still on there heads, better to have them thinking early & up flying.
Would you agree that ybs bred in December don't range & pigeons bred around April more naturally are better for racing, just thought with the heavy losses over the last 2 weekends you all might have an opinion.
Are we as fancier's causing the losses because we are breeding to early, & from inferior stock ( paper pigeons) not from tried & tested pigeons, just don't think it's all down to bop any thoughts could of been atmospheric conditions, & I'm not sure or how we can avoid these issues moving forward.
Hi Dave.
My main youngsters are bred from my widowhood team paired up on Boxing Day. No darkness here.
They had 5 tosses at 8 miles before the first race. No more training since.
Our club has had good returns from the first 2 races with the 3Cs. I lost the odd ones the first race but got all mine last week.
A good race controller makes a big difference.
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 12:07 pm
by Andy
Mine are exercised around home twice a day. Hear of some bad losses from trainers around here so don’t see the point.
Re: Loft Flying or Training for Young birds
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2026 12:31 pm
by Rdhd Danny
@andy there is no right and wrong way it's what you prefer and get results with
no right or wrong but you get better racing birds if they only do chucks consistently imo I also don't allow them freedom in the loft we shutter them into the pipo boxes after feeding from return not orthodox but works