Why Are Racing Pigeons So Expensive?
When it comes to birds capable of taking in long-distance races, racing pigeons are the first ones to come to mind. These feathered athletes have a lot of stamina.
But why are racing pigeons so expensive? Racing pigeons are expensive because they have a unique combination of genetic traits, undergo a lot of training, and have higher overall resilience. These traits in birds are hard to come by. And that makes them very rare.
But is that all to it? There are many other things that you should know about racing pigeons and why they are so costly. So, let’s get into describing them all.
Read more about pigeon blogs:
What Is the Difference Between Racing and Homing Pigeons?
To fully understand racing pigeons, you must know what sets them apart from homing pigeons. So, at the core, these birds are both breeds of domestic pigeons. But the main thing that sets them apart is their characteristics and purpose.
Homing Pigeons
The main thing that makes homing pigeons unique is the ability to remember their way back home. They can return to their home even when released far away. These birds get this trait from having a strong sense of orientation.
Furthermore, homing pigeons can navigate through visual cues and the earth’s magnetic fields. That is why they have been used by humans for centuries.
Homing pigeons were used to carry messages from one place to another. And even though communication mediums saw a massive upgrade, these birds are still used for the same purpose today.
Racing Pigeons
Humans bred and trained racing pigeons for competitive racing events. These birds undergo selective breeding, gaining higher endurance, speed, and other unique traits. Want to know what a typical training of racing pigeons is like?
A typical training scenario for racing pigeons will make the birds fly long distances at faster speeds. Sometimes, these birds will be released from a remote location to see how fast they can fly from one area to another.
The Differences
Homing pigeons and racing pigeons might have a lot of overlap among themselves. However, as you can see, homing pigeons are valued for their ability to find their way back home.
On the other hand, racing pigeons are prized for flying faster and performing better at long distances. That is the main thing that sets homing pigeons and racing pigeons apart.
What Makes Racing Pigeons So Valuable?
Many things make racing pigeons have an expensive price tag. And no, it is not just for their ability to fly faster.
Unique Genetic Traits
A primary factor that makes racing pigeons valuable is their unique genetic makeup. Breeders must invest a lot to select and breed birds to eventually end up with racing pigeons. And breeders do not just randomly select birds.
Instead, breeders seek desirable traits to select and breed the racing pigeons. That includes endurance, navigational skills, and, most importantly, speed. And over generations, this selective breeding resulted in highly specialized racing pigeons.
Rigorous Training and Conditioning
Racing pigeons need to go through a lot of training and conditioning. That may involve the birds competing against each other in long-distance racing events. Also, these birds are taught to race and navigate in unfamiliar terrains.
Sometimes, the entire training session for racing birds will take several months or even years. Only the birds that show promising results during this training phase moves to actual racing events.
Competition Popularity
Pigeon racing events attract hundreds, if not thousands, of viewers. And the pigeons that win the competition get a lot of attention. Winning these events is like prestige, which eventually drives up the value of the birds.
What Factors Influence the Price of Racing Pigeons?
So, not all racing pigeons will have the same price tag. In fact, a couple of factors come into play regarding the price of the racing pigeons. Here is a brief explanation of each of them:
Pedigree of the Bird
The pedigree is the most critical factor determining the price of the racing pigeons. For example, the pigeons from a long line of successful racing pigeons will have a higher price tag than others.
In other words, the racing pigeons that are offsprings of those that have won high-profile racing events will be in the premium price range. Breeders and potential buyers will value the unique genetic traits that these birds come with.
Physical Attributes
Not all the offspring of high-valued pigeons will be the same. And to further assess the value, breeders and buyers look into the racing pigeons’ size, shape, and feather quality.
In this case, the birds with a symmetrical build, healthy feathers, and strong bodies will feature a higher price tag. Also, the color and patterns of the feathers come into play. Unique-looking racing pigeons are priced higher than others.
Performance
The performance record of the racing pigeons also determines the price tag. Birds that have won multiple races are generally placed higher in the price margin.
Likewise, racing pigeons that have competed in multiple racing seasons will have a higher price tag than the others. That is, birds with consistent performance records are priced higher.
Age and Potential
Sometimes, you will see young racing birds with a substantially high price tag. In this case, these racing pigeons showcase a better overall potential in training sessions. And even if the birds did not compete in events, they may still command a high price tag.
What Are the Most Important Traits of a Racing Pigeon?
Before you get a racing pigeon, buyers must look for a few things. These factors help them make a purchase decision and evaluate whether the bird is worth the money.
Let’s take a look at those traits to better understand how buyers evaluate the birds:
Flying Speed
The most important trait of a racing pigeon is speed. It is what dictates whether the bird will be able to compete in competitions or not. Without momentum, the bird is just a regular pigeon.
Endurance Level
Some of the pigeon races can take several hours. So, endurance is a crucial aspect of a racing pigeon. In other words, a bird with a low endurance level will fail to complete racing events, making them less worthy of the money.
Intelligence and Adaptability
Racing pigeons need to go through different challenging situations during a racing event. Making split-second decisions regarding obstacles and navigating through the racing track is a must for them.
Health Condition
The health condition of the racing birds should be at the optimal level. Otherwise, they will not be able to perform well in races. So, buyers check the feathers and overall features of the body before deciding.
The Trainability of the Birds
Being trainable and responsive to the handlers is another factor that determines whether a racing pigeon is worth the purchase. Buyers look for birds that can learn and follow commands.
What Kind of Care and Training Do Racing Pigeons Need?
Getting a racing pigeon is just the first step. If you want the bird to maintain its performance record and win competitions, you must take proper care of them. Some care tips racing pigeon owners stick to are described below:
The Right Diet
Endurance and speed highly depend on proper nutrition. Racing pigeons require a diet full of vitamins, minerals, and, most importantly, protein. Also, feeding the racing pigeons at regular intervals is crucial.
Proper Exercise Sessions
A proper diet without exercise will not lead to obesity. And that is not something you would want from a racing pigeon. For that reason, racing pigeon owners let the birds fly freely outside for at least one hour daily.
Loft Management
To ensure the racing pigeons are at their best, offer them a clean and well-ventilated loft. It should be big enough to allow the birds freely move around and exercise.
Care of Their Health
Regular checkup is a must for racing pigeons. You should also ensure they are appropriately vaccinated, guaranteeing resistance to avian diseases. Also, you must address any health issues as soon as they arise.
Regular Training Sessions
Although the training for racing pigeons starts when they are young, they might eventually end up in unfamiliar terrain in adulthood. That is why the training should continue throughout their lifespan.
On that note, racing pigeon owners utilize different techniques, such as flagging and tossing, to train the birds. You should also stick to these techniques to ensure the birds perform better in events.
Rest
Like humans, racing pigeons need time to recover from intense training and exercise sessions. Do not make them push too much over their limits. Instead, let them rest and recover from strenuous activities.
Final Words
So, why are racing pigeons so expensive again? In short, their trainability, unique genetic traits, and impressive capabilities make them stand out from the rest. They are basically built differently and are born to excel.
If you found this post helpful, please take part in helping us grow. You will find our social accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Please consider connecting. Thank you.
Article References:
- Economist.com/the-economist-explains/2019/03/27/why-are-racing-pigeons-so-expensive
- Businessinsider.com/racing-pigeons-most-expensive-china-belgium-races-2019-8
Image Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
