A Look into the Family of Pigeons The pigeons are the birds that are classified under the phylum Chordata and the class Aves. Its family is called Columbidae. They belong to the same family with the doves, which are also deemed to symbolize peace. Majority of the species are found in the eco-zones of Australasia and Indo-Malaya. In cases when there is a loft assigned to it since its young age, it will always come back no matter what happens. This ability of the pigeon to return to its nesting places despite great distances is what is taken advantage of by the pigeon racing enthusiasts. Training a Young Bird The basic training of a youngster must be done by the handler himself. Through time, raisers of homing pigeons surfaced. They have taken particular interest to these birds and have realized that they can make a hobby out of it. In fact, some people or organizations treat the sport as a profitable business. Yes, it is very profitable because it aims to gather fliers from all over the world to compete for a much coveted prize in this competition. 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. The racing pigeons are considered to be the oldest among the domesticated birds. What to expect in the first 28 days Once these young birds have stayed for around 28 days on their nest, they are supposed to be transferred to a much larger loft. The first few days in their loft are often spent learning where they can source their food and how to eat. This is also the right time for these birds to be allowed outside and to wander so that they will be familiar with their surroundings. The only way to find out that a racing pigeon is already weak is by holding it with your hands. You'll notice right away that the pigeon is now as light as a feather. This is caused by bio-organisms and bacteria that gradually stress out the pigeon, making them lose their appetite when eating. If you really want your racing pigeons to deliver a top performance during competitions, then you must start taking care of their health.