“Don’t get too attached,” says Joseph LaQuiere, a 16-year-old youth ambassador for the American Racing Pigeon Union. In 2019, LaQuiere bought six pigeons on Craigslist. The next year, the first pigeon he entered in a race never made it back. Sometimes birds will join wild flocks, die on power lines or get lost in strong winds. You’ll never know for sure.
You can’t race pigeons just anywhere; the finish line must be their home, which they find using some combination of the sun, magnetic fields and an olfactory map of familiar smells. Make the birds want to return home by treating them with kindness, feeding them well and providing clean accommodations. Start training banded, vaccinated birds at around four to six weeks old. “The youngsters are pretty tame,” LaQuiere says. They will learn to fly by circling the loft. Once the birds are strong, take them half a mile away and release them. The general rule is to conduct two outings at each distance and then double that distance. Once the pigeons fly home from around 70 miles away, they’re ready to race several hundred miles. “Let them practice flying in most types of weather, excluding heavy rain, thunderstorms, snow and fog,” LaQuiere says.
Humans have been capitalizing on pigeons’ homing abilities for centuries; Genghis Khan used pigeons to relay commands across Asia and Eastern Europe. These days, the fastest fliers tend to be highly bred and pedigreed, like racehorses. In 2020, a female racing pigeon named New Kim sold for around $1.9 million at an auction in Belgium. Still, you don’t need to be wealthy to race. “A lot of pigeon people are willing to give you birds for free to get started,” says LaQuiere, who has bought several pedigreed birds, including progeny of a bird named Porsche 911, which he is now breeding.
Although they have a house in suburban Detroit, LaQuiere and his parents and four siblings have spent months traveling up and down the country, towing a trailer outfitted with a pigeon loft for his 30 birds. Until he can get back home to train birds himself, LaQuiere is focused on breeding racing birds. “My mom will say to me: ‘I haven’t seen you all day. Where have you been?’” LaQuiere says. “And I’m like, ‘Out with the pigeons.’”
Arrived early and in perfect condition. I have 8 favorites.
The Alexander Hansenne is indeed a remarkable Racing Pigeon Strain. Dr Willaim Anderson in his book "The Sport of Racing Pigeons" 1947 writes extensively about this outstanding Fancier. I luck to have an original copy of the book. Need i say i myself have of the Bronze chequers in my stock loft Well wishes to you
Hello Dale, Donnie & Pam
Firstly, I would like to thank Dale for his persistence yesterday. Both
Linda and I were so sorry that your crossing was so difficult.
Originally, you texted me that you would wait for us---so of course we
would wait for you!!
We had a very pleasant return home with clear roads etc. But were
extremely tired and went to bed early!! I am extremely happy with the
selection of birds you sent even the replacement for 20512.
It was a pleasure dealing with the Zehr family. I spent time with the
birds in the garage last night and today speaking "Zehr Sion" to them.
Think they understood---at least until they learn "Trini Sion". Lol!!!
Thank you all once again.
Wishing you all and your families a very Happy Holiday Season!!!
Dave and Linda
The 3 birds arrived this morning in Aurora, Colorado safe and sound. Thanks. We'll do business again!!
Hello. We received the two boxes today with the four Hansenne pigeons. Arrived in excellent condition.
She is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you guys for looking out for me. Can’t say enough about how much I love the bird and birds you have sent me.
Thank you so much, i got the bird! He's so beautiful, pin tail apple body, nice wing :)
Hello there, My name is Mike and live in Az, I had racing pigeons when I was young and now Im not young haha 61, Semi retired and determined to move to a place where I can fly birds again, want to get my grandkids involved. Anyway as a kid I flew some Sions and really enjoyed your website. When Im ready would love to get a few Sions again and see how they do. Any advice for an old newbie? lol
Hey Donnie, Saw your Birds on Ipigeon and must say, those are some Beautiful Heitzmans. They are very true to what I called the real thing. Beautiful Hansennes as well. Take Care, Chuck
Hi
I have placed the pigeon recieved from you recently in a priority express shipment back to you in same box recieved. Bird was beautiful and healthy but we realized it’s nature is such that it needs to fly and be a racing pigeon. We can’t offer that life to it and realize it was a mistake to try this based on our situation
Bird has had not been outside and has been confined indoors in isolation since recieved.
Please give it the home it deserves.
Appreciate the care you took getting it to us!!!
Need some color on my team. Had some sion couple years ago when i had a partner who sick and could not care for his own birds. He liked sions so i bought some from you on pigeonauction.com. We alot of fun his sions against my team .He has since past on. His family called me and thanked me for letting fly with me he really looked forward race day. HE WON EVERY WEEK
Path: https://www.clayhavenfarms.com/pigeons/for-sale
Thank you guys so much for allowing me the opportunity to love these birds.
