Here are a few old bird pigeon racing tricks that I think you might find thought provoking.

If you have your racing pigeons on the natural system, and a female pigeon and cock show signs of getting together, separate the 2 for a couple of days and then put them back together for about 30 to forty minutes just prior to basketting. The hens cycle will be dissrupted because of the separation, and this will delay her from the laying process. The separation will also increase both pigeons desire for each other. Letting them see each other for just a couple of minutes before basketing will strengthen the bond and also increase their desire for home.

Here is another racing pigeon natural system tip. When your pair of pigeons have laid eggs and has been sitting for several days, try adding an egg to the nest every other day until they are sitting on 5 or six eggs. Then take the cock and place him in a box or spare cage so that he cannot see his loft, his mate, or his nest. You should do this the night before crating. For example, if you basket on Friday night, take the cock away on Thursday night. The female won’t realize that the cock is gone until it is his time to care for the nest the next day. She will be extremely reluctant to leave the nest, or even to eat, because of the added eggs and the fact that her mate is not available to take his turn, so she will become even more attached to the nest than normal. You may have to physically take her from the nest and feed her in a separate box so she can eat and drink.

If time permits, when I take the female away I like to let the male into the loft. He will see that his nest is unprotected and will hurry to take his turn on the eggs. I let him settle on the nest for a few minutes and then take him away PRIOR TO allowing his mate back into the loft. Both birds will race extra hard to come home to protect those eggs when a question has been put into their minds regarding their responsibility for the nest!

Another trick when racing pigeons on the natural system, when a pair starts to nest, remove one of the mates. This can be either the male or the hen, but I prefer to remove the hen. Let the male take another mate, and then take away that mate. When shipping day comes, let both females in with the male for 20 to 30 minutes, but do not allow the hens to begin a heavy battle because they could lose form. Ship them all to the race. This trick can be used all season long to motivate either or all of the birds at different times.