This is the first time I have basketed and released my pigeons away from their loft. I am letting pigeons fly for first time to their home here and I own two pigeon crates for training. This first toss was about five kilometers up the road and along the race line. After training the birds, loft flying racing pigeons and then a proper return through the trap it is then important to give them a view of the path you want them to follow. These training tosses continue to happen through the season and give the birds some great exercise.
As this was my first time tossing the birds I was incredibly nervous. I have never released them away from home before and I really wanted them to return to the loft. All of the birds are wearing electronic clocking bands so I can measure the speed they travel to return to the loft. As each pigeon hits the landing board the clock tags what pigeon it was and the time of return.
It is said that crating the birds is also important so they become familiar with the process and aren’t made to be nervous while in a crate. These birds sometimes travel over night to release locations. I am a beginner in pigeon racing so there is much to learn.
After releasing the birds for the first time and being as sure as I can that they have been trap trained and can get back in their loft I had to call them in. It took a little time for them to orient themselves to the loft and find the entrance. Before the first release and calling them back in I had to train them to trap through the bobs. The bobs are small hanging rods that allow the pigeons to enter the loft but not leave. All homing and racing pigeons would have to go through this type of training so they are safe when entering the loft. The bobs are removed once all pigeons are inside and the aviary is closed.
I am very new to this and have started racing pigeons in the Niagara Region. I am a member of the Canadian Pigeon Racing Union and all of the birds are tagged with bands that indicate they are mine. To start off in pigeons you first need birds. All of my pigeons were gifted to me from some really good pigeon flyers. Racing pigeon loft flying is important to keep them in shape and give them a little freedom in the sky. It is an anxious moment when you open that loft and letting pigeons out first time.