New methods.

Dave. Roly commented on a new method on the Alberta Classic site. Input from an Irish flier. Awaiting details. If he does not mind, will put it on here. Will ask him first of course.

yes that would be interesting hal, I sent him a message yesterday, so awaiting a reply.......he was telling me about the who dares wins one loft race.

Roly posted this.
""For natural
I feel that nesting should be on a shelf. Of a little 3 / 4 inch high divider. ( May even do without that!
Half a house brick for bird not sitting to stand on.
Opposite the shelf albeit from a 2/3 foot gang way would be an exact opposite. The birds will be constantly conscious of the other birds opposite and beside. Yes only reason for a nest bowl would be for birds choosing their spot to nest.

Of course there would be as many shelves as needed.
Birds on open loft means that they will out, fly and back. One in all will go in. All will naturally goe out nigh together. All out picking on the garden, one in others quickly follow. That would be my basic for the naturals.

A very good national flyer from Derby excelled by simply having, basically 12 nest boxes in a circle on poles. How they trapped etc. I don't know / can't recall, but that would be no problem with a little fore thought. One took off, they all took off. One landed they all landed. Again a built in awareness of other birds and guarding their territory is as far as I'm concerned paramount.

Widowerhood, or widowhood hens / celibacy.

Would be one loft, but actually two. Either side would be a front for one sex. The other for the other sex. In the middle of the loft … actually in all sense and purpose the back of the loft would be the Nest boxes. However these nest boxes would be able to be used via either side. Shut of when not in use. Many ways of doing this. Drop flap, sliding hatch etc. Would have a perch available when not in use for the bird to perch on. To all sense and purpose the bird would believe it's mate live in the nest box. (One could if so desired have a nest box both side but shut off from each other.
Whether one uses a aviary or not, No birds would be able to be seen when opposite sex is out.
Maybe sometimes a plastic / glass partition could be used before basketing. I, personally, wouldn't ever let the sexes out together. So that they only ever trap to one place. Hence, to me, the birds will have territory to guard, and the added incentive if possible, also the belief that their mate is on the other side.

If room in garden one could fly both. But again all birds away from the sight of the other pigeons.
Both systems of course great for rotating which I feel is the a good thing. JMO

I as you may recall have no belief in flying to a mate. A fantail in the nest would be just as good. A different hen / cock bird every time works just as well. I believe that they fly to Their Home, perch nest box etc. etc.

I defy any one to tell me, let alone explain how one can motivate a pigeon to fly home quicker if not already having a built in desire to be 'Home'. If not it will take it's time to the degree that it cares.... or bothers.
Now only fit and healthy birds will win races … Ok the odd paper bag on a windy day over a shorter distance. All the elements needed are coaxed and imprinted to a degree from the nest onwards.
You will all have seen youngster two or three weeks old home back to their nest bowl etc.
Indeed could there be a case of those that don't are culls?
Can they breed winners? The Jury is out here .""

Yeah iv read a few of his posts on alberta