Training My Pigeons

[Gorby619]

Im going to start training my pigeons and was wandering whats the best way to do it. Should i train them from all directions, North,East,South,West. How Much Farther should i take them on each training toss?
Thank You, Sean

[This message has been edited by Gorby619 (edited January 24, 2004).]

[pigeon george]

gorby:
assuming you have homers i take my young 1mile three times five miles three times
change direction but stay at three miles go back to original direction ten miles three times in all directions than forty three times thn sixty since i work west of my coop my forty and sixty are only west of me but seems after this the birds can figure any direction with relative ease. good luck

[WhiteWingsCa]

First of all, why are you training them?

Is it for racing? If so -- what direction do the races 'come' from?

In our area, all of our races start north of us. So, we train exclusively north, in the race station direction.

Secondly, how 'good' is your pigeons' homing ability? If they come from good stock, you can start them out at 2-5 miles from home -- let them go from the same spot 2-3 times, then move out another 5 miles. And most people I know who train in different directions train only to one direction to about 20-25 miles out, then swing 1/4 of the way thru the compass (eg.-- if starting north, do east or west next). Again, start at 2-5, another 5, etc., till they are out at 20-25, then swing south -- repeat, etc.

And Thirdly -- how far and long are the birds 'ranging' (also called routing) on their own? Most people wait until the birds are flying 30-40 minutes, out of site for most of that, before they ever start training. That way, the birds have learned a LOT about all the territory around the loft, and have a greater chance of finding their way back home again from those first tosses.