When they are about 4 months, I carry them in the panniers for a short distance of a kilometre   
and release them. If they take too long in circling and flying, I take them back to the same spot the next day till they perfect the flight. Then later I double the distance to 2 kilometers, then to 4 kilometers and so on. They slowly learn that is 'what is expected of them' and respond perfectly.
   
What is the furthest distance they have successfully covered?
Upto 900 kms from places like Akola and Parbhani in Maharashtra flying in almost in 12 hours! If the sun sets during flight, they rest overnight and fly in the next morning. They have initially covered distances like Anathapur (200 km), Mantralaya (350 kms) and Gulbarga (500 km) before doing the longer distances.
    

Do you race them all year around?
No. The summer months are the best, like now. And the monsoon months are taboo, coz they find it difficult to fly long distances in the rain. Also they are not raced during their 'Molting Season', when they shed their feathers for new. Racing them during this time will lead to bleeding and is very painful for the birds.
  
How many homing pigeons do you have now?
Almost 80 birds. Of them 40 are active racing pigeons, 20 of them are breeders and the other 20 are borrowed breeders from a fancier friend.

  
What are their feeding habits?
They prefer to eat twice a day. In the morning and early evening.
The food consists mainly of green peas, whole-wheat grain, Jovar, maize, Bengal gram and Ragi and greens for Iron. Their diet is balanced at 16% protein, 15% fat, 60% carbohydrates, and the rest minerals and vitamins. Occasionally they are also fed a mix of Shell grit, brick, stone and salt that helps in grinding the food in their gizzards.
 
Have your birds won any races?
Many. They have won every distance event from 100 kms to 900 kms.
But I'm not that keen on the winning aspect. I love these birds and I wouldn't do anything that makes them uncomfortable. I enjoy being around them and I know they like me too. It’s a great relationship we share. That is more important to me than winning any race. But, yes during these periods they do win.
 

Do you have any future plans?
Yes. Right now I'm busy with the formation of the 'Blue Rock Breeders Association', which is a group of fancier friends. Through this Club we hope to propagate the methods of breeding birds in the natural way in the hope of preserving the gene pool of the best racers we have now. And to also develop medicines and vaccines that will help prevent diseases not only for the pigeon species but also for bird life in general.
  
What is your advice for people who are interested in taking up rearing these birds as a hobby?
The most important thing is to love these birds genuinely. Then you will discover that it is a

great pastime with unlimited scope and happiness.
 
For further information on homing pigeons you can contact Edison Thomas at :
Blue Rock Breeders Association
Phone: 6348575
Email: [email protected]
 

By Monu Surendran