While it cannot be denied that physical features such as gait and wing muscle strength play a big factor in becoming a winner, attention should also be placed on the mental ability of a pigeon as early as an age of 3 months. 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. Each stage then requires a particular diet and feeding scheme. This fully applies especially when you prefer for it to succeed in sports. These stages require a balance of energy (carbohydrates and fats), protein, minerals and vitamins. Other important considerations to take are the sex and age of the bird, heavy training, long or short distance race, and the likes. You may have heard of the so called "Pigeon Posts" which were of course established across the globe mainly for military purposes. Some are still in service today though. A Quick Look at Pigeon Racing In this sport race, there is a single starting gate where the birds bred specifically for this are to start off. Keeping the pigeons dry will prevent them from being irritated and they will not be bothered by parasites that can cling on to their bodies. 2. Have Proper Ventilation Keeping the loft well ventilated greatly improves the health of the pigeons. A regular breathing habit is essential for the pigeon's longevity in the sky when racing. Gradually take the youngsters a couple of miles away from home then release them. These birds have that innate ability to return home. Start with a short distance and then increase it little by little. You can also entice them to go back home at a fast rate with grains and treats. Encourage the pigeon to go solo when you think it can handle it. However ideal the traits that your bird has acquired, absence of proper training won't allow you to harness its full potential and winning is close to impossible. So how do you train a racing pigeon to become a winner? Let's start with the basic needs: food and shelter. Food for pigeons need to be clean, fresh, and of high quality.