Being a successful pigeon racer requires discipline, constant care and a penchant eye for detail. Here are some important tips that will help you become a winner in this sport: 1. Set up a loft in your backyard and ensure that the pigeon is basket trained as soon as it learns how to fly. Pigeons have a deep sense of home. This is because of the birds' natural instinct to look healthy even if they're not. 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. Thus, be sure to clean the container and serve fresh water every time. Grit is the mixture of limestone, crushed oyster shell, ground bone, salt, granitite, charcoal, and different trace minerals. Health grits are now sold in the market so it is easier to get one to add to your pigeon's daily nutrition. Depending on the kind of race, the birds should return to their lofts or home and are clocked in. Clocking in is done by the removal of a number rubber band that is commonly attached to their legs and then putting it on a special clock. Therefore, the exact time of arrival is recorded. Prior to the race, the distance between the starting point and the home has already been measured. While inside the cage or loft, take time to pet your bird and talk to it until such time that it becomes comfortable going near your hand or climbing on it. Training the Bird to Move to another Finger As the bird gets used to sitting on your hand, you can now train it to move to the other finger. Remember to be careful in handling it. 1. Ventilation Like any other warm-blooded animal, pigeons need air as much as they require food and water. Make sure that the loft has openings where air can enter and escape. The openings can be placed on roof or along the roofline. If air is scarce in the location where the loft is placed, installing exhaust fans should be able to help.