Racing Pigeon Loft Design 101 Pigeons can easily adapt to almost any given situation and this is why they are one of the best pets an owner could ask for. Give them their living essentials and the right environment, and they can easily do the rest. However, you have to be more meticulous when you want to raise a pigeon for racing. The Rules The long and strict rules of this sport are attributed to the fact that it has been around for centuries. The rules in pigeon racing mostly focus on ensuring that no racer cheats and that the fastest pigeon is awarded with the first place. The rules of the sport, as set forth by the pigeon racing governing body the American Pigeon Racing Union mostly covers significant rules regarding how to race, how to calculate dead time, and how to time the race. You will also need to incorporate care and understanding because these birds are living creatures as well. It's because in their daily forays in the skyline they will have to contend with strong winds and even other larger birds. More than these three rules, dedication is also important for fanciers wanting to raise champions. That is no other than the Homing Pigeon. Historically speaking, they were once made as the source of food for humans and their droppings were good fertilizers for the fields. Eventually, their droppings were then utilized to create gun powder. Then again, the pigeons became popularly known to many because of their ability to carry messages home. A Look into the Family of Pigeons The pigeons are the birds that are classified under the phylum Chordata and the class Aves. Its family is called Columbidae. They belong to the same family with the doves, which are also deemed to symbolize peace. Majority of the species are found in the eco-zones of Australasia and Indo-Malaya. The Essentials in Training Your Racing Pigeons The pigeon is a unique animal in the sense that it is very comfortable with human beings. It is from the same family as with the doves. In fact, both of them are treated to be symbols of peace and love. Like athletes, these birds are molded to compete. That is why, they are trained to become racing pigeons.