First and foremost, a good racing pigeon should feel firm and muscular in the hand. When you pick up a healthy bird, you should feel its strong breastbone and well-defined muscles around the wings and thighs. A bird that feels flimsy or weak may be suffering from malnutrition or illness, which can hinder its performance in races.

In addition to its physical strength, a good racing pigeon should have sleek, unblemished feathers that are well-groomed and smooth to the touch. Feathers that are rough or disheveled can indicate poor health, stress, or disease. A well-groomed bird with a smooth coat is more likely to be able to fly at maximum speed and maintain its endurance over long distances.

The eyes of a racing pigeon are also an important indicator of its health. A healthy bird should have clear, bright eyes that are free from any discharge or swelling. The eyes of a racing pigeon are essential for its navigational skills, so any problems with vision can greatly hinder its performance.

Furthermore, the feet of a racing pigeon should be clean and unblemished. Healthy feet are necessary for a bird to grip onto perches, navigate rough terrain, and take off for flights. Any signs of injury, such as cuts, bruises, or swelling, can indicate poor health and may affect the bird’s performance.

Lastly, a good racing pigeon should feel alert and energetic in the hand. A bird that is sluggish or unresponsive may be suffering from a health issue or lack of nutrition, which can significantly impact its performance in races.

In conclusion, when looking for a healthy homing pigeon, it is essential to pay attention to its physical appearance, behavior, and overall health. A good racing pigeon should have strong, well-defined muscles, sleek and well-groomed feathers, clear and bright eyes, clean and unblemished feet, and should feel alert and energetic in the hand. By selecting healthy, well-bred birds, you can ensure that your racing pigeons are capable of achieving their full potential and competing at the highest levels.

To assist you with the hand selection process, we put together a free pigeon evaluation report that you can use when hand selecting and assessing your birds. You can download it now for free by clicking here.

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The post Racing Pigeons: What to Look for in a Healthy Bird appeared first on Pro Pigeon Racing.

With wealthy individuals, particularly from China, investing in the sport as a symbol of social status and lucrative prize money up for grabs, the value of racing pigeons has skyrocketed.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 most expensive racing pigeons ever sold, delving into their unique backgrounds and accomplishments that have earned them a place in the annals of pigeon racing history.

The top 10 most expensive racing pigeons

New Kim – $1.9 million (2020)
A Belgian racing pigeon, New Kim, set the world record after being sold for a staggering $1.9 million in an online auction in 2020. She was purchased by a wealthy Chinese industrialist known only as “Super Duper.”

Armando – $1.4 million (2019)
Previously holding the world record, Armando, a Belgian racing pigeon, was sold for $1.4 million in 2019 to a Chinese buyer. Armando was considered one of the best long-distance racing pigeons of all time.

Golden Prince – $536,000 (2017)
Golden Prince, another Belgian racing pigeon, was sold for $536,000 in 2017 to a Chinese buyer. This bird was known for its impressive racing pedigree, contributing to its high value.

Nadine – $450,000 (2020)
Nadine, a Belgian racing pigeon, was sold for $450,000 in 2020. Like the others on this list, the buyer was a Chinese enthusiast. Nadine’s impressive racing background made her a sought-after bird.

Bolt – $430,000 (2013)
Bolt, named after the famous sprinter Usain Bolt, was sold for $430,000 in 2013 to a Chinese businessman. The Belgian racing pigeon was highly regarded for its speed and racing abilities.

Euro Diamond – $225,000 (2011)
Euro Diamond, a German racing pigeon, was sold for $225,000 in 2011. The bird had an impressive racing history, winning several prestigious awards, including 1st International Pau, 1st National Carcassonne, and 1st National Bergerac.

Dolce Vita – $200,000 (2011)
Dolce Vita, a Dutch racing pigeon, fetched a price of $200,000 in 2011. She was known for her impressive racing results, including winning the title of Europe’s best long-distance racing pigeon in 2010.

Blue Prince – $200,000 (2011)
Blue Prince, another Belgian racing pigeon, was sold for $200,000 in 2011. This bird was known for its strong racing pedigree, contributing to its high value.

Son of Bolt – $170,000 (2013)
Son of Bolt, a descendant of the famous Bolt mentioned earlier, was sold for $170,000 in 2013. The pigeon’s strong genetic lineage, being an offspring of one of the fastest pigeons in the world, made it a sought-after bird for racing enthusiasts.

Safier – $150,000 (2011)
Safier, a Belgian racing pigeon, was sold for $150,000 in 2011. The bird had an impressive racing background, having won several races, making it a valuable acquisition for pigeon racers.

The Ever-Increasing Value of Racing Pigeons

The growing interest in and demand for top-performing racing pigeons has driven their prices to astonishing heights. As this list of the most expensive racing pigeons demonstrates, wealthy enthusiasts, particularly from China, are willing to invest considerable sums of money in the sport, seeking both social prestige and potential monetary rewards.

This trend has transformed pigeon racing into a lucrative industry, with breeders, trainers, and buyers alike vying for the best birds. With its centuries-old history and global appeal, pigeon racing continues to captivate the world, and the value of these prized birds shows no signs of slowing down.

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The History of Pigeon Racing

The origins of pigeon racing can be traced back to Belgium in the 1800s, where it was initially used as a means of communication between towns and villages. Pigeons were bred and trained to carry messages, and over time, people began to race them for sport. The sport quickly spread throughout Europe, and by the late 1800s, it had made its way to the United States.

Homing Pigeons have also been used in war for centuries, primarily as messengers. Before the advent of modern communication technologies such as radios and telephones, pigeons were a reliable means of communication on the battlefield.

During World War I and World War II, pigeons were widely used by the military as messengers to transmit messages between units. Pigeon lofts were set up behind the front lines, and trained pigeons were sent out with messages attached to their legs. The pigeons would then fly back to their home loft, where the message would be retrieved and decoded.

Pigeons were also used to transport important documents, such as maps and photographs, behind enemy lines. These pigeons were trained to fly long distances and to avoid detection by enemy soldiers.

Pigeons were so valuable to the war effort that both the Allied and Axis powers had specialized units dedicated to breeding, training, and caring for them. In fact, a carrier pigeon named Cher Ami became famous during World War I for delivering a critical message to American forces despite being shot and wounded.

Today, pigeons are no longer used in modern warfare due to the development of more advanced communication technologies. However, they continue to be used in certain specialized fields such as search and rescue operations and scientific research.

Homing Pigeons : From early Messengers to Modern Racers

In the early days of pigeon racing, the birds were released from one location and raced back to their home base. The distance of the races varied, but they were typically between 100 and 500 miles. As the sport grew in popularity, racing organizations were formed, and rules and regulations were established.

Today, pigeon racing is a highly regulated sport with a global community of enthusiasts. Races can be as short as 50 miles or as long as 1,000 miles, and the birds are trained for months to prepare for these events. The sport has become so sophisticated that GPS tracking and other high-tech equipment are now used to monitor the races and ensure fair competition.

The Thrill of Pigeon Racing

Pigeon racing is not just about the thrill of the race; it is also about the bond between the birds and their owners. Pigeons are highly intelligent animals, and they have a remarkable ability to navigate and find their way home. The relationship between the bird and its owner is built over months of training, and the trust and loyalty that develops between them is truly special.

The excitement of pigeon racing comes from the unpredictability of the races. Unlike other sports where the athletes are in control, pigeon racing is entirely dependent on the bird’s ability to navigate, fly and find its way home. It is a sport where anything can happen, and the outcome is never certain. For the owners, watching their racing pigeons return home is an incredible feeling that cannot be replicated by any other sport.

The Future of Pigeon Racing

Despite its long history and dedicated following, pigeon racing is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges facing the sport is the decline in the number of young people interested in it. The sport requires a significant amount of time, money and dedication, and many young people are more interested in other sports that are easier to participate in.

Another challenge facing the sport is animal welfare. There have been concerns raised about the treatment of racing pigeons, and some animal rights activists have called for the sport to be banned. However, most racing organizations have strict regulations in place to ensure that the birds are treated humanely, and efforts are being made to improve the welfare of racing pigeons.

Despite these challenges, the future of pigeon racing looks bright. The sport has a dedicated following, and new technologies are being developed to make it even more exciting and accessible. There are also efforts being made to introduce the sport to a new generation of young people through educational programs and outreach initiatives.

Conclusion

Pigeon racing is a unique and exciting sport with a rich history and a dedicated following. It requires a significant amount of time, money and dedication, but for those who participate in it, the rewards are well worth it. The bond between the bird and its owner is truly special, and the excitement of the races is unparalleled. While the sport may face challenges, efforts are being made to ensure its survival and growth. If you would like to learn more about pigeon racing and how to become a part of the sport, please feel free to download our pigeon racing beginner’s handbook by clicking here.

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Surprisingly many fanciers do not deploy these methods and use them to their advantage. However, this is fortunate for you because it will allow you to take a more scientific approach when assembling your race teams and allow you to edge out those fanciers who decide to take the “short-cut” and simply wing it.

Racing pigeons is no different than any other sport…

Do you think thoroughbred horse trainers pick any horse to send to the derby?

Do professional sports coaches choose any player to be on the starting squad?

Would a performance racing team use any ol’ driver for the Daytona or Indy 500?

The answer is a hard NO!

All of these examples rely heavily on performance data to make the best picks possible and fanciers should and need to look at their birds in the same way if they want to increase their odds of winning races and staying competitive.

So, what are these three key indicators that we are talking about…

Key Indicator #1: Hand Bird Selection

This indicator will allow you to assess a bird’s physical attributes and body characteristics. 

Key Indicator #2: The Basket

This indicator will allow you to assess a bird’s performance.

Key Indicator #3: Record Keeping

This indicator will allow you to collect data from the first two indicators and pinpoint your best birds with laser precision.

When used together, these indicators will massively increase your success rate for picking winning racing pigeons and developing a winning racing loft. And they will help you pinpoint and increase the speed at which you can effectively build your team.

For the sake of information overload, we will be focusing on Key Indicator #1: Hand Bird Selection in this particular article series.

Many fanciers believe that the physical attributes and body characteristics do not matter as long as you listen to the basket, however listening to the basket alone will only give you half the picture.

Here are a few examples to illustrate why hand selection is so important to picking winning racing pigeons.

What’s the difference between a Honda civic and a Lamborghini? They both share the same basic function of taking you from point A to B but the Lamborghini is built for speed while the Civic is not. The differences between the two are within their physical attributes and characteristics. Racing pigeons are no different, you may have two racing pigeons that are seemingly the same however when you look at the details you may find that one shares better racing attributes over the other. 

Looking at the basket alone will only tell you which of your birds are best within that certain group. In the basket there will always be a stand out however, that standout may not necessarily be the best in your loft. 

For instance, going back to our previous example, if you put five Civics together, yes there will be a Civic that is a standout over the others but in the end that standout is still a Civic. On the other hand, when you hand select first you have a better chance of picking the Lamborghini’s of your loft over the Civics. Remember, the worst Lamborghini in your group is still better than other fancier best Civics.

The key to being successful in this sport is being able to consistently identify the best birds.

This is why some of the most prolific and decorated fanciers in our sport are masters at hand selection. 

Hand selection is also a great skill to master as sometimes it may be the only tool you have at your disposal when buying new stock. For instance when buying stock at an auction, you won’t have the basket or records to rely on when making your buying decision. In these cases, hand selection is your only tool to help pick the best stock possible.

So, what attributes would one look for when hand selecting pigeons?

It all comes down to three main categories, the skeleton, the muscles and the feathers.

To break it down further, within the three main categories there are 8 key areas of focus when hand selecting, those areas of focus being…

1. The Tail
2. The Rump
3. The Skeleton
4. The Muscles
5. The Feathers
6. The Feet
7. The Neck and Head
8. The Eyes

To assist you with the hand selection process, we put together a free pigeon evaluation report that you can use when hand selecting and assessing your birds. You can download it now for free by clicking here.

In the end, when you perfect hand selection, keep your eye on the basket and record great data you will become an expert at picking winning racing pigeons and will easily propel yourself to the top 5% of flyers in the sport. Practice this method of hand selection as often as possible on as many birds as possible. 

Diversity and large numbers of birds are the best way to perfect this technique and when you do you will see the caliber of birds in your loft and your results in the sport soar!

Enjoyed this article? post your comments below and share your best strategy for selecting stock.

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