i found out in the past ,my worst mistake was pairing distance birds to early,,,not just because of the flights [but that was part of it] the w hood cocks held their flights well, but too tempting to overwork them, earlier in the season ,found the naturals better paired middle of march [even the w,hoods destined for the distance] i have found in my experience that w,hood cocks ,about their best about 8 weeks on w hood ,,but as per usual with pigeons ,,,,its know your own birds