would never put my birds on darkness as i can still win my youngbirds natural i like to win any race but for me youngbird racing is about education and winning with them is just a bonus and im not that desperate to win a youngbird race that id put them through that but good luck to those that do as for every one that says they still do well as yearlings and old birds ten more say they dont a good pigeon is a good pigeon darkness or natural and most good pigeons win in spite of what the fancier does jmo and many will disagree but thats pigeon racing each to his own