Pigeons have been used to send messages for thousands of years. With proper training, these amazing birds can reliably carry notes and small items to a destination up to 600 miles away. While originally used for military communications, pigeon post can also be fun hobby for enthusiasts today. Follow these steps to train your own pigeon to deliver messages.
Selecting a Breed
The first step is selecting an appropriate breed of pigeon. The best messenger pigeons breeds include:
- Racing homers – Known for speed and homing ability over long distances.
- Tipplers – Have outstanding stamina and can fly for up to 22 hours straight.
- Tumblers – Have a great homing instinct and are very loyal to their lofts.
- Giant runts – Large enough to carry larger payloads.
- Nuns – Reliable, intelligent birds used by the military in both World Wars.
Avoid flashy show breeds like fantails, pouters and frills. They lack the athleticism and navigational skills required of messenger pigeons. The ideal messenger pigeon has a lean build, large wing span and good overall health.
Housing
Messenger pigeons do best when housed in a coop or loft just for them. The coop should be draft-free, well-ventilated and get plenty of direct sunlight. Plan for at least 2 square feet of interior space per bird. The loft should contain:
- Nest boxes for breeding pairs
- Perches at various heights for roosting
- A feeder and waterer
- Grit trays for digestion
- Rooms with wire mesh walls and windows for exercise and sunlight
Keep the loft clean by sweeping out droppings and using a disinfectant to prevent disease outbreaks. Provide fresh food and water daily.
Bonding with Your Birds
Messenger pigeons must become comfortable around humans before training starts. Spend time interacting with them each day. Hand feed young pigeons and slowly build trust. Move slowly and calmly when handling them to prevent scaring them. Once the birds seem happy and relaxed around you, they are ready for the next step.
Training Over Short Distances
Begin training very young pigeons, ideally before 12 weeks of age. Start by releasing the bird inside the loft so it becomes familiar with the entry and exit points. Next, release it from just outside the loft, followed by further and further distances. Limit the first training flights to 100 yards or less.
During these short training tosses:
- Keep the bird hungry to motivate it return promptly.
- Watch the pigeon’s route closely so it recognizes local landmarks.
- Never chase or shout at the pigeon during initial flights.
- Reward returns to the loft with food.
Repeat short releases from all four directions around the loft until the pigeon consistently circles once and re-enters immediately. This indicates it knows how to locate its home loft from a short distance away.
Increasing the Distance
Once the pigeon quickly returns from any direction at 100 yards out, double the distance to 200 yards. Release the bird, observe its flight path, and reward prompt returns as before. Then increase the distance to a half mile, then 1 mile, then 5 miles, and so on. Advance to the next distance whenever the pigeon returns home reliably from the previous one.
Important tips for this stage:
- Make water available at the release point so the pigeon can rehydrate before heading home.
- Keep releases along the same direction and at the same location at each new distance.
- Only advance the length if the pigeon returns directly within 45 minutes.
- Do not release in poor visibility, high winds or heavy precipitation.
Introducing a Transport Cage
Once the pigeon consistently navigates 5+ miles back to the loft, it’s time to simulate carrying a message. Obtain a small transport cage to hold the pigeon securely during transport to the release point. Affix a practice message container like a small tube to the pigeon’s leg. Put the bird in the cage with the container attached and visually inspect that it can move around unimpeded. Then bring it to the release point and free it as usual.
Gradually increase the time the pigeon spends in the cage before release to 4-6 hours. The bird should be calm when emerging and immediately head home. Bring the pigeon’s food in the transport cage and allow it to eat and drink while confined. Continue releasing from gradually further distances until the pigeon returns reliably with the practice message after an all-day excursion.
Introducing Obstacles
Vary the training by introducing controlled obstacles between the release point and home loft. For example:
- Take an indirect driving route with turns to simulate curvy flight paths.
- Choose sites with visual barriers like dense trees, tall buildings or hills.
- Release the bird into a headwind, forcing it to work harder.
Start with mild obstacles for short distances and increase the challenge over time. The pigeon will become adept at navigating around impediments between it and its destination.
Flying in Pairs or Groups
Pigeons are most comfortable flying with other birds. Begin releasing two highly trained pigeons together from the same cage. Next, try releasing a group of three to five at once. The birds will likely stay together along the same flight path, encouraging each other to get home promptly.
You can also position multiple pigeon breeders along a long route to relay a single message down the line. Each one releases their pigeon to the next person after receiving the message container. This “pigeon post” method allows information to travel much faster over great distances.
Building Endurance for Long Flights
To ready pigeons for journeys of 100 miles or more:
- Take them on regular flights of increasing duration with proper rest in between.
- Ensure they always have full crops before release.
- Test their navigation ability from at least 20 different sites along the intended route.
- Check the weather and avoid releasing them into storms or extreme heat/cold.
Don’t rush the endurance training. Give young pigeons 9-12 months to condition properly. Veteran birds may train up within 1-2 months for long flights they’ve done previously. Monitor body weight carefully through this process.
Sending Reliable Messages
Once the pigeons prove capable of returning from the target destination, it’s time to start carrying written dispatches. Obtain ultralight message capsules sized appropriately for your birds. Metal ones often corrode from pigeon sweat, so plastic or waxed paper are better options. Use the lightest paper possible and write the note as small as is legible.
To send an official message:
- Place your written note inside the capsule.
- Securely fasten the loaded capsule to the pigeon’s leg.
- Transport the bird to the release point in the cage.
- Free the pigeon and observe it depart for home.
- Wait for the pigeon to return to its loft with your message.
Breed multiple messenger pigeons so you can quickly send another if one fails to arrive promptly. Consider writing messages in code or cypher to protect sensitive information if the pigeon goes astray.
Caring for Pigeon Messengers
The role of messenger is demanding, so pigeon care is paramount:
- House pigeons in a clean, stress-free environment.
- Check for signs of illness, injury and parasites.
- Provide a nutritious grain diet with calcium for bone strength.
- Allow ample time to rest and recuperate between long flights.
- Give baths frequently in warm water.
- Trim flight feathers if they become worn or damaged in transport cage.
Most pigeons begin breeding around 6 months of age. Allow messenger birds to raise a few sets of young before the strenuous training regime. This helps them gain experience and fills your loft with a new generation of trainees.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite your best efforts, messenger pigeons don’t always go the intended route. Here are some common problems and solutions:
| Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to return promptly | Insufficient training at that distance, inexperience | Downgrade distance and release more frequently to rebuild confidence |
| Returns exhausted | Pushed too far too fast | Shorten distance, strengthen endurance gradually |
| Loses capsules enroute | Capsule too large and heavy | Lighten payload size and weight |
| Altered flight route | Chased by predators | Vary release sites to minimize threats |
| Disoriented navigation | Inclement weather | No releases in fog, precipitation, or winds above 15 mph |
Be patient and methodical in your training techniques. With time and practice, your pigeons will prove to be reliable messenger birds.
Conclusion
Although a bit of a lost art, training pigeons to deliver messages is a rewarding and engaging project. Follow these steps and soon you’ll have an impressive flock of feathered couriers:
- Acquire healthy, athletic pigeons suited to messaging.
- House them in a predator-proof loft with nest boxes and perches.
- Build trust through daily hands-on interaction.
- Start flights from 100 yards out and slowly increase distance.
- Use a transport cage and message capsule on training flights.
- Navigate obstacles and fly in groups to boost skills.
- Condition pigeons for endurance with longer journeys.
- Write brief dispatches and monitor delivery success.
- Care for the birds’ physical and mental well-being.
- Adjust training techniques to overcome any issues.
With the right pigeon breed, loft environment, handling techniques and training regimen, your birds will soon be making round trips up to 600 miles. Now go enjoy communicating with pigeon post like in the good old days!