Pigeon Training Method – Teach Them, Don’t Test Them | Credit: Mr Walton Pepin
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2026 12:56 am
Pigeon Training Method – Teach Them, Don’t Test Them
Special Credit: Mr Walton Pepin, ace Chennai-based pigeon fancier
Dear Fanciers,
In pigeon racing, training is one of the most important parts of success. A good racing pigeon is not created only by bloodline. It is created by proper care, good health, correct feeding, patient training, and the fancier’s discipline.
One of the best training principles shared by ace Chennai-based pigeon fancier Mr Walton Pepin is:
“Teach them, don’t test them.”
This simple line carries a very deep meaning. It reminds every fancier that pigeons should not be pushed suddenly to long distances just to see whether they return or not. Training should be step by step. The purpose of training is not to scare the bird, stress the bird, or lose the bird. The purpose is to teach confidence, basket habit, route understanding, direction sense, and strong home attachment.
KPRF gives full respect and credit to Mr Walton Pepin for this valuable training thought, which is very useful for both new and experienced fanciers.
Training Is Not Filtering
Some fanciers start young pigeons directly from 30 KM, 50 KM, or even longer distances. They may think, “Good pigeons will come, weak pigeons will be lost.”
But this is not proper training. Sometimes the pigeon is not bad. The problem may be poor maintenance, poor health, no basket experience, weak feeding, worms, respiratory issues, or lack of confidence.
A good fancier should not lose pigeons because of careless training. First we must prepare the birds. Then only we should increase the distance.
A pigeon must be taught before it is tested.
Phase 1 – Early Short Distance Training
The first phase of training should be simple and enjoyable for the birds. Young pigeons must first learn the basket, road travel, release point, and returning home.
A good starting distance is:
5 KM
Give two or three tosses from 5 KM. Do not hurry. Let the birds understand the process. After they return confidently, increase to:
10 KM
Give one or two tosses from 10 KM. At this stage, the aim is not speed. The aim is confidence.
When birds start coming quickly and calmly, they will also begin to improve their flying around the loft. Proper short tosses can increase their daily exercise, alertness, and confidence.
Why 30 KM Is Important
After 5 KM and 10 KM training, birds can be taken to 20 KM and then 30 KM.
The 30 KM distance is very useful because it is still not too hard for healthy birds, but it teaches them direction, route memory, and confidence. Many experienced fanciers keep their birds at 30 KM until they become sharp and confident.
A good target is:
30 KM return within 30 minutes
If birds can return from 30 KM confidently and repeatedly, they are ready for the next stage.
Do Not Overtrain Young Birds
Young birds should not be pushed too much. Training must improve them, not break them. If birds look tired, dull, underweight, or slow around the loft, reduce pressure and check health first.
Before increasing distance, observe:
Health Comes Before Training
A pigeon with health problems cannot train properly. If birds are not flying around the house, there may be many reasons.
Common reasons include:
Phase 2 – Race Preparation Training
The second phase should begin when the birds are more mature and stronger. Ideally, birds should complete their moult properly before serious training.
This phase should be planned according to the first race distance. For example, if the first race is around 200 KM, training should slowly build up towards that distance.
A sample training plan:
Train Backwards From the First Race
A smart method is to work backwards from the first official race. If the first race is 200 KM, the last training toss should be close to that distance, such as 150 KM or 180 KM.
This keeps the birds in form before the race. Good form does not last forever, so timing is important. We should not bring birds into form too early and lose that form before the race.
Basket Training Is Very Important
Many pigeons lose confidence because they are not used to the basket. Before long tosses, birds must be comfortable inside the basket.
Basket training teaches:
Bath, Sunlight and Rest
Training is not only road tossing. Good management around the loft is equally important.
On training days and rest days, birds should receive:
Small Loft, Better Control
A smaller and well-managed team is often better than a large unhealthy team. Training too many pigeons without proper control can create health problems and poor results.
It is better to train 30 or 40 healthy pigeons properly than to train 200 pigeons without control.
Quality is more important than quantity.
Signs That Training Is Working
Your training method is working when:
Important Advice for New Fanciers
Do not copy another fancier blindly. Every loft, weather, route, bird family, and feeding system is different. Use a method that suits your birds.
Always remember:
Conclusion
Pigeon training is a step-by-step journey. Short tosses build confidence. Medium tosses build route knowledge. Long tosses prepare the bird for racing.
The best training system is not the hardest system. The best training system is the one that makes birds healthy, confident, disciplined, and ready for race day.
Teach them, don’t test them.
KPRF sincerely gives credit and respect to Mr Walton Pepin for this valuable training principle and for inspiring fanciers with a practical and bird-friendly approach to pigeon training.
Regards,
KPRF Committee
Keelakarai Pigeon Racing Federation
Special Credit: Mr Walton Pepin, ace Chennai-based pigeon fancier
Dear Fanciers,
In pigeon racing, training is one of the most important parts of success. A good racing pigeon is not created only by bloodline. It is created by proper care, good health, correct feeding, patient training, and the fancier’s discipline.
One of the best training principles shared by ace Chennai-based pigeon fancier Mr Walton Pepin is:
“Teach them, don’t test them.”
This simple line carries a very deep meaning. It reminds every fancier that pigeons should not be pushed suddenly to long distances just to see whether they return or not. Training should be step by step. The purpose of training is not to scare the bird, stress the bird, or lose the bird. The purpose is to teach confidence, basket habit, route understanding, direction sense, and strong home attachment.
KPRF gives full respect and credit to Mr Walton Pepin for this valuable training thought, which is very useful for both new and experienced fanciers.
Training Is Not Filtering
Some fanciers start young pigeons directly from 30 KM, 50 KM, or even longer distances. They may think, “Good pigeons will come, weak pigeons will be lost.”
But this is not proper training. Sometimes the pigeon is not bad. The problem may be poor maintenance, poor health, no basket experience, weak feeding, worms, respiratory issues, or lack of confidence.
A good fancier should not lose pigeons because of careless training. First we must prepare the birds. Then only we should increase the distance.
A pigeon must be taught before it is tested.
Phase 1 – Early Short Distance Training
The first phase of training should be simple and enjoyable for the birds. Young pigeons must first learn the basket, road travel, release point, and returning home.
A good starting distance is:
5 KM
Give two or three tosses from 5 KM. Do not hurry. Let the birds understand the process. After they return confidently, increase to:
10 KM
Give one or two tosses from 10 KM. At this stage, the aim is not speed. The aim is confidence.
When birds start coming quickly and calmly, they will also begin to improve their flying around the loft. Proper short tosses can increase their daily exercise, alertness, and confidence.
Why 30 KM Is Important
After 5 KM and 10 KM training, birds can be taken to 20 KM and then 30 KM.
The 30 KM distance is very useful because it is still not too hard for healthy birds, but it teaches them direction, route memory, and confidence. Many experienced fanciers keep their birds at 30 KM until they become sharp and confident.
A good target is:
30 KM return within 30 minutes
If birds can return from 30 KM confidently and repeatedly, they are ready for the next stage.
Do Not Overtrain Young Birds
Young birds should not be pushed too much. Training must improve them, not break them. If birds look tired, dull, underweight, or slow around the loft, reduce pressure and check health first.
Before increasing distance, observe:
- Are they flying well around the loft?
- Are they eating properly?
- Are droppings normal?
- Are eyes bright?
- Is breathing clear?
- Are they returning confidently?
Health Comes Before Training
A pigeon with health problems cannot train properly. If birds are not flying around the house, there may be many reasons.
Common reasons include:
- Wrong diet
- Worms
- Respiratory problem
- Weak body condition
- Poor loft ventilation
- Overcrowding
- Stress
- Lack of sunlight and bath
Phase 2 – Race Preparation Training
The second phase should begin when the birds are more mature and stronger. Ideally, birds should complete their moult properly before serious training.
This phase should be planned according to the first race distance. For example, if the first race is around 200 KM, training should slowly build up towards that distance.
A sample training plan:
- Week 1 – 30 KM
- Midweek – 30 KM
- Week 2 – 50 KM
- Midweek – 50 KM
- Week 3 – 75 KM or 100 KM
- Week 4 – 130 KM
- Week 5 – 150 KM
- Week 6 – 180 KM
Train Backwards From the First Race
A smart method is to work backwards from the first official race. If the first race is 200 KM, the last training toss should be close to that distance, such as 150 KM or 180 KM.
This keeps the birds in form before the race. Good form does not last forever, so timing is important. We should not bring birds into form too early and lose that form before the race.
Basket Training Is Very Important
Many pigeons lose confidence because they are not used to the basket. Before long tosses, birds must be comfortable inside the basket.
Basket training teaches:
- Calmness during travel
- Group behavior
- Less stress before liberation
- Confidence during release
- Faster orientation after release
Bath, Sunlight and Rest
Training is not only road tossing. Good management around the loft is equally important.
On training days and rest days, birds should receive:
- Clean water
- Proper bath
- Sunlight
- Minerals and grit
- Quality feeding
- Enough rest
Small Loft, Better Control
A smaller and well-managed team is often better than a large unhealthy team. Training too many pigeons without proper control can create health problems and poor results.
It is better to train 30 or 40 healthy pigeons properly than to train 200 pigeons without control.
Quality is more important than quantity.
Signs That Training Is Working
Your training method is working when:
- Birds return confidently
- They are not frightened after tosses
- They fly more strongly around the loft
- They trap quickly
- They maintain good body condition
- They recover fast after training
- They show confidence when basketed
Important Advice for New Fanciers
Do not copy another fancier blindly. Every loft, weather, route, bird family, and feeding system is different. Use a method that suits your birds.
Always remember:
- Do not rush distance
- Do not train sick birds
- Do not toss in bad weather
- Do not release birds in heavy heat or poor visibility
- Do not increase distance after a poor return
- Do not use training only for filtering
Conclusion
Pigeon training is a step-by-step journey. Short tosses build confidence. Medium tosses build route knowledge. Long tosses prepare the bird for racing.
The best training system is not the hardest system. The best training system is the one that makes birds healthy, confident, disciplined, and ready for race day.
Teach them, don’t test them.
KPRF sincerely gives credit and respect to Mr Walton Pepin for this valuable training principle and for inspiring fanciers with a practical and bird-friendly approach to pigeon training.
Regards,
KPRF Committee
Keelakarai Pigeon Racing Federation