Why analyzing your early results can set you up for a winning season
It was early morning. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a golden light over the loft. The soft cooing of the pigeons and the fresh scent of straw created a peaceful atmosphere. But in my head, things weren’t so calm. Ring numbers, arrival times, race results – they were all flying through my mind.
The first races of the season had been flown. The adrenaline of basketing, the waiting game, the excitement (or frustration) at arrivals – we’ve all been there. And right now, in this exact moment, it’s time to take a step back. To look at your results with a critical eye. What are your pigeons trying to tell you?
The Mirror of Your System
An old champion once told me: “The first races don’t decide who wins the championship – but they do show who’s on the right path.” And he was absolutely right.
These early weeks act as a mirror. Not just for your birds, but for you as a fancier.
Were your pigeons sharp on arrival? Did they come fast and recover well? Are they performing as expected? And maybe most important of all – what did their condition tell you afterward?
These races reveal how your system is working. Your feeding strategy, training schedule, rest periods, and overall care – it’s all being tested right now.
Adjust Without Panic
If your results weren’t what you hoped for, don’t panic. One bad race doesn’t mean disaster. But now is the perfect time to make smart, subtle adjustments.
Maybe add a bit more rest. Or tweak the feeding. Are your birds carrying too much weight? Trust me – they’re rarely too light. These small insights, applied with care, can make a huge difference down the road.
And let me be clear – stick to the basics. Don’t make wild, radical changes. If you flip your whole system upside down, you’ll end up paying the price in lost form and lost birds. Stay calm. Watch your birds. Trust your gut and use your head. It’s the simple, thoughtful choices that keep your pigeons going strong, season after season.
Experience Matters – and So Does Patience
Let me give you a real example. In 2024, I bred seven youngsters for the One Pair Barcelona Challenge. They've already been flown three times. And guess what? I’ve only lost one – and that one left from the loft!
That says something. When you breed carefully, train wisely and give your pigeons time to develop, they become strong, reliable racers.
Ron Dijkshoorn – the breeder of the legendary “Genesis” – once told me:
“The real challenge is getting 3-year-old pigeons to the starting line in Barcelona.”
And you know what? He was 100% right.
Focus, Trust and Build
This is the moment where great seasons are built. Fanciers who stay calm, observe closely and adjust wisely – they’re the ones standing on the podium in the end.
So grab your race sheets. Look at your team. And ask yourself the one question that matters:
“What can I do today to make them better next week?”
The Big Races Are Coming... Make Sure Your Team Is Ready! We’re only at the start of what could be a fantastic season. The tension, the beauty of the sport, the excitement of every release – it’s all ahead of us.
The pigeons are flying… and you’re in control of the journey.
Make it count. Enjoy the process. And build your own success story, one race at a time.
Until the next tip,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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