The action is fast and many people often never know who is bidding.  There are bidders on telephones, as well as in the audience, and many times you are not sure who bid on which bird until they come to pay for it.  The atmosphere is positive because no one really knows what they bought, until the bird produces in the breeding loft or its offspring races in the series.

At any auction, the auctioneer performs a vital role.  Selling the bird is only half the job, marketing, public relations and knowledge of the bloodlines / breeders all come into play.  Getting the correct birds to sell is important.  An auctioneer cannot perform his job without something to sell (quality birds).  The auctioneer should know something about his product.  He should look at every bird in the sale and be familiar with every pedigree.

This all sounds very exciting, and it is for everyone concerned:  auctioneer, seller and buyer.  However, the integrity and honesty of everyone involved with the auction are many times a big problem.

Attracting new people to the pigeon racing sport is not difficult, and new money helps. The business practices that apply to the real world do not apply to pigeon racing.  In the real world, it is possible to project earnings and expenses with a fair degree of accuracy.  Any investment applied to racing pigeons usually ends in red ink (loosing money), so the buying of pigeons, whether for racing or breeding is more speculation than investment.  There is little difference between owner and gambler.  The business depends not on a steady income, but on the occasional big score or large bet.

The popularity of partnerships has allowed smaller investors to share in the sport, but little time is devoted to educate the potential investors, and many learn the hard way of the large risk and sometimes no return on their money.  Some fanciers spend a great deal of money before recognizing the unethical practices.  The “KICKBACKS “ and “FRAUD” found in the sport have existed for years.  As fanciers get more experience in the sport, they hope to be smarter after every deal.  However, it does not matter how smart they become, the unethical behavior in the sport always seems to be present.  Many fanciers have invested large sums on birds in an auction, and they often find themselves on the end of a deal with deception and fraud, whether from owners, trainers, breeders, agents, pinhookers (Pinhooking is the buying of a bird with the specific intent of re-selling it for a profit.) or even the sales companies (auctioneer, etc).

Yes, the racing sport is a Gamble!  That is what the pigeon sport is all about.  Many smart fanciers increase their odds of success by dealing with individuals with high levels of integrity and proven track records of success with honest reputations.  Do not gamble with your investment.  If you wish to succeed, then look to a loft that markets success with solid integrity and an honest reputation for selling birds.  “Let their success be your success, be part of the winning team”.

No one can guarantee your success, but the honest seller will certainly put you on the right road and in the correct direction.  Whoever said winning is not everything has not owned or raced pigeons.  Be careful of the fraud, deception and unethical practices in buying birds, and buy only from well-respected sellers, agents, pinhookers, etc.  This will increase your chance of success!

Many important individuals involved in the sport are hoping to change, correct and even eliminate these bad practices by educating fanciers about the proper way to buy birds and to stay away for the crooks and thieves that will ruin the sport with their selfish greed.  However, we stated before that business practices that apply to the real world do not apply in the breeding loft or during the race series.  BE CAREFUL!

If you are in the racing pigeon sport or business at present, you know that it takes just the right ingredients to make a winner.  It takes heart, brains, strength, speed, ancestry and most important, proper training and feed.

What should new buyers look for to obtain good birds for success, enjoyment and a great return on their investment?

RULE  #1:When looking for success, look at the lofts that market success, solid reputations of great results for several years in their own countries.  Let their success be your success.  Proven track record equals proven results:  CHECK THEM OUT!  Is the loft or seller dedicated to supporting the racing pigeon industry in his own country with Champion Birds?  Do these lofts offer direct involvement in racing, breeding, industry education (to buyers and other fanciers) and honest sales?  Are they interested in helping others in the sport, or are they just in it for the money?

RULE #2:A history of success begins with attention to the individual champion.  He or she is born with an impressive pedigree of past success, but proper training, feed, medication, etc. makes the difference and give the bird the chance to reach its full potential in a race series.  Look for lofts that breed quality birds and have an established family of birds.  Their goal is to breed quality birds accomplished by selecting and breeding from only proven birds / breeders.

Many sellers have a variety of breeders, and they try to produce birds that will attract all buyers, both old bird flyers as well as young bird flyers.  This is all for commercial sales.  This type of seller, with his wide selection of birds and breeders, does not meet the direct needs of the Taiwan fancier.  The young bird racing in Taiwan and the tough conditions that in which the birds must compete throughout the year, require a special type of bird.  It has always been my opinion that Taiwan fanciers should buy from breeders and lofts that have a very high success record in young bird flying.  Birds that fly 250-350 miles as young birds and 500 miles as yearlings at speeds of 800-1300 YPM would be best to breed from for the tough Taiwan race series.  Buyers must look for repeated success in tough young bird racing before they consider buying any birds from a seller.  Also, buyers must consider flyers that fly the natural system in young birds in their own countries.  The young age of 30 - 180 day old young birds for Taiwan training / racing requires the birds to fly under a natural system, motivated by their own abilities and whatever help the trainer can offer. That leads us to Rule #3.

RULE #3:Look for lofts that give the buyer personal attention, with racing pigeons as their business and expertise.  They should be recognized and respected in the racing sport and willing to share their knowledge and information with you.  Whether you wish to buy or just visit to look at their birds, you should receive personal attention from the entire loft family.  Each buyer should be treated with special attention. The future for racing is to attract new fanciers to the sport.  This requires sellers to provide assistance and honesty within the sport.  Whatever your needs, you will be advised with impartiality and complete honesty.  Sellers need to maintain the friendliness and attention to each buyer and offer services that meet their clients’ special requests.  If you do not receive this treatment, then chances are you will not be offered the best birds or the birds that you need.

RULE #4:DO NOT GAMBLE WITH YOUR INVESTMENT!  Give your birds the opportunity to maximize their racing potential.  Buyers must realize that to succeed you need more than just a high priced pedigree or bird.  New owners need to recognize the need for professional help.  The ability to properly manage birds is as important as obtaining the talent necessary to compete.  You must provide excellent care for the overall health of your birds.  Trainers / owners must combine traditional care with modern veterinary science to ensure that the birds get the absolute best care possible on a daily basis.  Experienced professional trainers settle young birds with little stress.  They start their training under expert supervision and a commitment to assure that their racing prospects reach their full potential in the race series.   They keep the birds in good mental health, paying attention to their psychological needs to overcome mental hurdles and achieve their personal best in concentration, confidence and motivation.  This is the goal of every good handler.  Good trainers are able to develop top quality birds and eliminate early problems in training to assure fast, efficient and reliable performances during the race series.  Every effort must be made on the part of the owners / trainers to ensure that each bird from the day of its birth to the moment it flies its first race has the opportunity to become a productive racing bird.  The success of your birds and the return on your investment is in your hands and control.

Taiwan offers one of the most lucrative incentives and awards programs in the racing pigeon world.  Owners and trainers in Taiwan have the opportunity to participate in the best pigeon racing in the world.  There is no better place to test your hard work and investment than in the most successful rewards program in the world.  The promotion of the industry is coordinated through the efforts of the owners, trainers, etc. and financed within the sport.  Each club is self-supporting, with its own reward system.  Many call Taiwan “THE MAJOR LEAGUE OF PIGEON RACING IN THE WORLD”.