ill try my best for you m8 first of all know your pigeon they are all different and like different nesting conditions judge them on how they were sitting on past results or when they look and handle there best but also when they are at there keenests this can be sitting 8 days 11 days to chipping or a small youngster up to 5days or a big youngster and going back to nest and looking at the hen and dont be kidded only hens like chipping or small youngsters some cocks love this to as ive said know your pigeon and when its at its best and keenest paring for the distance not before the 17th of march or later paring on or about this date gives me two pair of youngsters off my best birds and the third pair what ever age switched under feeders set down to catch them 2 sets of youngsters are reared by the birds going to the race or one each nest if you wish this puts the pair just dropping there third flight for the main race or halfway up i am now of the opinion it makes no difference what you feed them early on but three weeks before the race any good mixture with lots of good maze as a base and add the fats to it i use gerry plus and hemp seed with conditioner as much as they want whats the benifits of natural racing you ask for me its getting six youngsters off my best birds in a natural condition and still winning with the pairents downfalls you only get 3 races out them at best because of the moult but each bird going to 1 2 or 3 500 plus races is fine by me hope this helps you make up your mind and gives you some ideas but again this is only my opinion good luck to you