The market presents you with numerous brands to choose from. You can look for a complete food. Be sure to feed a balanced diet to your birds. Without water, the pigeons are less likely to survive. Even athletes need water and the same with these pigeons who are trained to race. The water that they drink must be free from bacteria. While inside the cage or loft, take time to pet your bird and talk to it until such time that it becomes comfortable going near your hand or climbing on it. Training the Bird to Move to another Finger As the bird gets used to sitting on your hand, you can now train it to move to the other finger. Remember to be careful in handling it. To test the strength of its bones, put some pressure on the breastbone and see if it's going to make a snoring sound. If it does, then that is certainly bad news. Keep in mind that physical characteristics don't necessarily make a champion. That's why you have to observe on a daily basis the behavioral patterns of your racing pigeons. grandchild to grandparents or cousin to cousin) than those for cross breeding. Although less expensive than cross-breeding and a lot safer than in-breeding, this method may take a long time to establish the traits that you want in your pigeon. In-breeding is the riskiest but may also be the most successful method provided that you have really ideal pigeons. Dampness is a main source of problem because it is generally the breeding ground for parasites and germs. Therefore, make certain that you change the uneaten food and untouched water. Dry the area every time there are spills and moisture. If there is a noticeable amount of food left, cut down on the amount that you give the bird. Vitamins for Extra Energy Racing pigeons can actually survive on grains and grits alone, but if they are being led to racing most of the time, then they have to be fed with food having an extra amount of vitamins. Without vitamins, the racing pigeon might not be able to sustain itself from the pressures of racing and competition.