SIZE MATTERS?

[Guest spin cycle]

what size pigeons do members prefer and why. i'm sure i read somewhere recently about modern strains becoming smaller...i can't remember where though. does the size of racers even matter at all ?

[OLDYELLOW]

my birds range in size the larger the bird the harder it is to get them in to racing condition i find , the bigger birds tend to need alot of training where as the smaller birds tend to be easier to condition and will exercise more freely , i tend to find the bigger birds tend to me more sprint the smaller ones tend to be distance but there is always the exception to the this rule i've had big cocks card at 512 miles if it's in them they'll do it ,  its how you get it out of your birds and your management works at the end of the day  

[PigeonTracker]

what size pigeons do members prefer and why. i'm sure i read somewhere recently about modern strains becoming smaller...i can't remember where though. does the size of racers even matter at all ?

There is literature on this somewhere, I'll dig it out for you if I can.  The main reason modern strains are becoming smaller is the genetic mutation caused by cross breeding to the nth degree.   Just like the stupid looking skinny dogs that win crufts, they were once sheepdogs weighing say 16 Kilos, now they are hairless and wiegh half what the original breed did.   OldYellow is correct with the size doesn't always matter theory, although more often than not a lighter strain will win over distance than a heavier bird and vice verca.   The heavy bird is laden with heavy deep 'fast twich' muscles which give them the power of speed, just like a human sprinter, most times you'll see them built like houses, but then the odd one like the one who won this years olympics will come along with not much wieght to him and he went and won with ease.

 

Its all down to personal preference and breeding nothing more, and it really is  case of size doesn't matter here, for a change.     

 

 

Apologies to those who may own stupid looking skinny dogs, just my opinion on that one, they probably look lovely to you.  

 

 

[Roland]

8) 8)Though in reality the bigger, the quicker and least exercise needed. Smaller can go a lot further with out pushing any buttons.

Like a large dog needs a lot less exercise than a smaller oe!

[Guest spin cycle]

i find medium sized pigeons easier to keep fit.....the larger ones just seem to get fat....i'm also nervous about having small birds as they'll look like 'runts' at marking. probably just being silly.

[BLACK W F]

i do not think it matters that much as long as the birds are healthy and fit  

[Tony C]

Out of interest were miler's a big type of pigeon?

[little sam]

I prefer small to medium for racers, Stock medium to large, But hen must be smaller than cock, Prefer it this way, Easier on the cock as well

[Guest]

i ink if its a good one it will win, but smaller birds are easier to condition and keep form longer, im not a big fan of basket training everyday so i train round the loft and i notice that the smaller birds exercise better

[Guest Paulo]

Pigeons are like human atheletes they come in all shapes and sizes. The bigger the pigeon the more work he needs to condition.

[hotrod]

hAVE A LOOK AT RUNNERS SPRINTERS ARE BIG MUSCLELY GUYS AND LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS ARE SKINNY WE THINGS

[Guest rodders]

i think due to selected breeding the modern familys are becoming small to medium in size especialy the cocks  also noticing more and more flat headed cocks not the round bold heads of old