Protecting Your Investment: Knowing When a Bird Should Sit Out

In high-stakes one loft racing, every bird matters. Each pigeon represents not just the hopes of a breeder, but a serious investment—time, money, and reputation are on the line. That’s why we believe in full transparency when a bird shows signs that it might not perform to its potential.

One of the most common but overlooked health issues in young birds is liver dysfunction. It can present in subtle ways: dark green droppings, excessive thirst, weight loss, and slow crop emptying. While many fanciers may attempt to treat these symptoms with medications or supplements, the hard truth is—once the liver is compromised, especially in a young pigeon just starting the race prep process, performance is almost always impacted.

In Martinez Classic, we don’t believe in wishful thinking when it comes to our clients’ entries. If a pigeon arrives showing clear signs of internal stress—whether it’s liver-related, bacterial, or just failure to thrive—we’ll contact the breeder right away. In most cases, we offer the option to send a replacement, have the bird returned, or even donate it to someone in need.

Why? Because we respect your investment. We’d rather give you a fair shot with a strong, healthy candidate than gamble on a bird that’s struggling from day one. This approach also protects the integrity of the race and reduces the risk of infection to other birds in the loft.

There’s a saying in pigeon racing: “Hope doesn’t win races—healthy pigeons do.” We stand by that. As handlers and organizers, our job is to give your birds the best possible shot at success. And sometimes, the best decision is knowing when not to force it.

If you ever receive a call from us suggesting a replacement, know that it comes from experience, not pessimism. We’re here to help you win—not just participate.