Homing Ability

I noticed that returns are good, if tossed in one direction, as soon as direction is changed dramaticaly, same distance as normal, losses start to occur rapidly, there are only certain birds who does not seem to be effected.
what is your opinion?
What could be the reason for this.

is it because its what direction there are used to flying ,if you train in all directions when young i dont think you will get as many losses

have read some fanciers like to train fron different directions as it helps if they go past the line of flight and they know where they are...??? gives them a better understanding of the area

I once new a top flyer who was the owner of a pet shop, he also went to all the local markets, everywhere he went the birds would go with him whichever the direction, this man was top flyer in our club and fed for years.
So anyone who says you have to train on the line of flight rubbish.

would you train from all direction or do you train one way

My initial training is one way, till about 100 miles a few times, now im sure everybody if fit.
I start to differ the direction about 90 Degrees , and than i see birds not coming back, wich i did consider good, but seem to be wrong.
Iguess this is where the guns is seperate from the knifes.

ive read both sides to this theory about training along the line of flight....on one hand if the training differs and is in all directions it is said they will know more of the surrounding area for if they go miles past home therefor knowing where they are.....
then ive heard that you must only train on the line of flight at the break off piont from where they leave the pack and keep them there, and just train from there....

Hi David

I have always been under the same illustion that as young birds train from all directions from the loft N,E,S,W but once you feel confident about your birds then take them 20 miles on the line of flight and keep them there but at that 20 mile point let the birds go at a diffrent location but still only 20 mile.

When at 20 miles line of flight then train on an ark 2miles to the left and 2 miles to the right and once you have the locations set just keep your pigeons at 20 miles and loose them at the different location doing this makes the pigeons work there brains

How do you think the long distance pigeons win they are out in front using there brains

The long distant pigeons are superior homers

yes your right they are what i call plodders

"plodders" ? What does that mean, slow flyers , straight home?

what i mean is like along distance runner teady but not a fast pace pace itself so it gets home

Ok , now i understand thanx.

niel how far is your longest race we fly up to 576 mile

you fly janssens dont you niel? as far as i know they are for the shorter distances although i have heard of them being able to fly the longer distance , but once they have done this they can never go back to short......(so ive heard), like ian says plodders are for the longer races that dont sprint home as fast as they can but just keep going at a steady pace...

Hi Niel

You must find out what type of racing you want to do short or long and get the pigeons for that job

im sure i remember niel telling me he keeps janssens....is that right niel?...

If they are janssens and he want to do long distance flying then you will have to change your pigeons niel

i dont believe that some pigeons wont do the distance surely its how you feed and set them up for the race ahead

i,m not about that my older pigeons i,ve had for years will not do the distance no matter how and what we do, natural or widowhood , changing their corn we have tried it all but they would come on a very hard day so how do you work that out because it beats me

ray thats only my opinion not fact

I keep jansens, we race mainly short distance, but some has already dissapeared at the training tosses , i classify 100 miles still as short distanse ???????????? Would be glad to hear more opinions.

As we are one the subject of homing ability, i have something to share with you. Check out this link. http://www.urbanwildlifesociety.org/pigeons/LostRacgPjs-AP.html

hi niel,yes 100 miles is short distance...i would class all inland racing as short...
ive heard of the janssens being able to fly distance races even tho they are basically for shorter racing....

ive always thought distance and short distance birds were two different things... my own oppinion is that sprinters are shorter in the body and broad shouldered with deepish keels and apple bodied, and they have a different wing, being shorter in length with a step up from secondries/primeries.
i would say a long distance bird is longer cast and more slimmer in the body with a strong back and a longer wing span....maybe im not right but its just a oppinion i have but im sure the more experienced among us will give us a better discription...

i,ve just read that [interesting]