This is why pigeons that are competitive in short races don't necessary become winners when joining long ones. Not having the experience to brave the hazards of long flights, these pigeons didn't get to hone their heart, intelligence and stamina. Most importantly, their homing instincts are too undeveloped to be able to spot the shortest route; these pigeons also tend to lose their way easily. Strict Diet Racing pigeons adhere to a strict diet, which comprises mostly of grains, grits and water. Wild pigeons eat breadcrumbs and food scraps, but they are a no-no to racing pigeons. If you want to raise quality racing pigeons, then you have to provide them with food that are fresh, clean and of the highest quality. Don't allow any sort of lead items inside. Be careful with the use of cages manufactured from foreign countries as they tend to have high lead content. Don't place the cage or loft in a damp area. Parasites and fungus are likely to thrive the habitat given this environmental setup. Ensure that you clean and dry the floor and feeding area. The training of these pigeons includes letting them fly between 100 up to 1000 km. When these birds are released to fly, the judges have to measure the bird's travel rate to cover the measured distance. The winning bird is the one that returns with the highest speed. The History of Pigeon Racing This racing sport instigated in Belgium in the middle of 19th century. There are now special commercial companies that a flier can contact to furnish this kind of service. Timing Clock This is the device that records the time that the pigeon has arrived home. This is where the special bar coded rubber band on the pigeon's leg is placed for timekeeping. Training Basket Also known as carriers, these are the small and portable containers that provide the ease in transporting the pigeons. To increase the probability of producing championship caliber chicks, more than one test pairing should be administered. It's also important to keep in mind that a pigeon being a champion doesn't mean that it's a good breeder. There's a probability that a slightly inferior sibling can produce better offspring.