The main part of the book covers the care and training of racing pigeons today. From a detailed study of the physiology of the pigeon, the authors then give clear advice on acquiring stock, basic management and health of the bird. There is further information on housing and equipment, and an explanation of the correct procedure for breeding and building a successful racing team. Finally, the all-important subject of training, both for young and old birds, is studied in depth.

"The must-have guide for anyone passionate about keeping, breeding or racing pigeons." -- Cover

A SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 'Rich and joyous ...The book's quiet optimism about our ability to change, and to learn to love small things passionately, will stay with me for a long time' Helen Macdonald 'Big-hearted and quietly gripping' Guardian 'I love Jon Day's writing and his birds. A marvellous, soaring account' Olivia Laing '[A] beautiful book about unbeautiful birds' Observer 'This is nature writing at its best' Financial Times 'Awash with historical and literary detail, and moving moments ... Wonderful' Telegraph 'Every page of this beautifully written book brought me pleasure' Charlotte Higgins 'A vivid evocation of a remarkable species and a rich working-class tradition. It's also a charming defence of a much-maligned bird, which will make any reader look at our cooing, waddling, junk-food-loving feathered friends very differently in future' Daily Mail 'Endlessly interesting and dazzlingly erudite, this wonderful book will make a home for itself in your heart' Prospect As a boy, Jon Day was fascinated by pigeons, which he used to rescue from the streets of London. Twenty years later he moved away from the city centre to the suburbs to start a family. But in moving house, he began to lose a sense of what it meant to feel at home. Returning to his childhood obsession with the birds, he built a coop in his garden and joined a local pigeon racing club. Over the next few years, as he made a home with his young family in Leyton, he learned to train and race his pigeons, hoping that they might teach him to feel homed. Having lived closely with humans for tens of thousands of years, pigeons have become powerful symbols of peace and domesticity. But they are also much-maligned, and nowadays most people think of these birds, if they do so at all, as vermin. A book about the overlooked beauty of this species, and about what it means to dwell, Homing delves into the curious world of pigeon fancying, explores the scientific mysteries of animal homing, and traces the cultural, political and philosophical meanings of home. It is a book about the making of home and making for home: a book about why we return.

This authoritative book is aimed particularly at those who participate in racing pigeons at distances of over five hundred miles but will be of value to all pigeon fanciers. John Clements succeeds in making the reader view the humble pigeon in a different light and ensures that he, or she, gains a deeper appreciation of the enormous joy and satisfaction that can be gained from long-distance pigeon racing.Contains detailed accounts of interviews with the owners of nine top British and Continental lofts involved in long-distance pigeon racing. The interviews cover a wide range of important issues including the acquisition of stock, the treatment of young birds and yearlings, feed, health and immunity. Other subjects covered include loft management, cleaning, construction and ventilation, the pairing and exercising of the birds, the systems used (widowhood, on the nest, or both) race preparation and many other subjects. Well illustrated with over 170 colour photographs, pedigree charts and postcards. This easily accessible, informative and analytical book is essential reading for pigeon fanciers everywhere.The objective of the book is to make the reader look at the humble pigeon in a different light and gain satisfaction from the joy of long-distance racing. Provides fascinating accounts of interviews with the owners of nine successful lofts.John Clements is a dedicated commentator on long-distance pigeon racing; an enthusiastic supporter of international racing and has a regular weekly column in British Homing World.

Racing Pigeons: A Manual describes the historical use of homing pigeons for communications and is a manual for the pigeon racing sport. Descended from the wild Blue Rock dove, homing pigeons have been highly valued since ancient times for sending messages in times of peace and war. Today's homing pigeons have been bred to perform better than ever. Pigeon racing has developed into a worldwide hobby and is the national sport of Belgium. In 2013, a champion Belgian pigeon was sold for $400,000. Some pigeon races offer a million dollars in prize money but it can also be a hobby for ordinary folks who raise pedigreed pigeons and fly them for pleasure. This book explains how pigeon racing can be enjoyable and affordable with information on getting started, instructions for establishing a loft, breeding and training programs, and details about pigeon racing on a modest budget. The author has over fifty years of experience with racing pigeons, raising them, importing and exporting them, and winning races in international competition. In our fast paced electronic and impersonal age, homing pigeons can be a relaxing, challenging and rewarding family activity, appealing to people of all backgrounds. The author mentions some celebrities who have been homing pigeon fanciers. Pigeon racing in an under-publicized activity in America. Racing Pigeons: A Manual unveils this unique hobby and sport.

Some people will thank me for releasing this others not ,as these things suppose to be kept tabu.In the end why am i reveling them ?I truly do not believe that anyone can say about his own birds that are not good enough, or his racing pigeons results are bad ,until he has tried everything i have explained in this book. We can compare the quality of our birds with our fanciers friends when everybody does apply the techniques i have explained on this book.Just because other people know what to do in the day of basketing for example ,with his birds and you don t ,that does not make your birds of an inferior quality ,it is the not knowing what other people know, that makes your birds look inferior ....i guarantee you that your birds are better then you think they are .I have seen this on many lofts we always blame the birds ,but in the end how much do we really know about racing pigeons and how to make them win races ? My point is that we will never know whos` birds are better unless we apply everything in racing pigeons sport at the advanced level ....because my friends ...this is what the champions are doing ...they apply everything at the advanced level while others are doing things half way ,or keep doing the same old things year after year. On this book you will discover only the special advanced techniques applied by some of the best fanciers and champions in pigeon racing sport,in other words the How to Do It the right way in order to increase your chances of winning the top places on each and every single race,because i truly believe that The 118 pages book contains the following Chapters explained at the advanced level•Chapter 1....Breeding and Pairing•Pairings.•When should we pair the stock birds.•Matching the breeders and what to look for in our breeders.•Inbreeding•Crossbreeding.•The winning formula.•Chapter 2....Old Birds Training and Racing Systems•Old birds training•Bringing the birds into shape.•Training for short and middle distance races.•Training for long and marathon distance races.•Training during the racing season.•Racing Systems•The natural system for hens•The natural system for cocks•The widowerhood system.•The jealousy system.•Chapter3.....Young Birds Training•Young birds training•The Darkness system explained•How to make your birds answer when called•How to teach your birds to trap•Basket training methods•How to teach your birds to eat and drink from the basket•Young birds training program•Young birds training program during the racing season•Chapter 4....Young Birds Racing-(#1Best Seller)•Young birds racing system•Prepairing for race•Returned from the race•The crucial importance of keeping notes about each bird•Birds classification•Chapter 5....Feeding Secrets•Food composition•Feeding the breeders•Young birds feeding•Feeding for short distance races•Feeding for long distance races•Feeding during the moulting season•Winter feeding•Returning from the race•Special ingredients“A true fancier is the one who`s birds are always on top places whether they race under his management or somebody elses generation after generation,a true fancier is the who love competitions and speak highly about his fellow competitors...Above all a true fancier is the one who teach others into the sport and gladly talk about his winning ways” Dacian Busecan