He was also the declared second placer the year before he finally bagged the much coveted prize for the race. Meanwhile, if you are a beginner in this field, you likewise need to learn the ups and downs of training pigeon racers. A great tip is to purchase the young pigeons and then let them join in the so called one loft race or futurity race. The next step is to basket train them. That means, taking them out of the loft and then releasing them to fly just outside the loft. Be sure to start it off in groups. Release them all at the same time. The younger ones often get scared at first and panic when they are no longer in one group. Give them the idea that they train so they will be fed. A great avenue to verify the accuracy of the information is by looking for race results on the internet. Now that we mention it, using the internet is also an excellent way to look for pedigreed pigeons. Relying on the quality of the parents alone is not enough to produce championship pigeons. One has to look into three features to ensure a high probability of quality stock. You will also need to incorporate care and understanding because these birds are living creatures as well. It's because in their daily forays in the skyline they will have to contend with strong winds and even other larger birds. More than these three rules, dedication is also important for fanciers wanting to raise champions. More often than not, it is the mental faculties of your racing pigeon that will ultimately help you win the big prizes especially in competitions that involve long flights. Take into consideration the fact that pigeons rely on their internal compass, navigational skills and homing instinct in order to fly to a designated point at the shortest route possible. The shelter, specifically called "loft" for a pigeon house, comes in different styles depending on your desired functions. Most pigeon fanciers build multiple lofts in order to separate the males from the females as well as the young from the mature ones (or the unmated from the mated). The former is being done to have full control on breeding while the latter is often for pigeons which are not yet identified whether male or female.