When a racing pigeon is lazy during home flights, returns late from training, or even perches on the loft roof unwilling to enter, most fanciers' first reaction is: 'This pigeon is in poor condition.' This is followed by a series of 'conditioning' actions: supplementing with nutrients, administering medication, reducing training, or isolating it.

However, in many cases, the 'poor condition' displayed by the pigeon is not due to physical function or health problems, but rather a misalignment between the 'training rhythm' set by the keeper and the pigeon's own physiological and psychological cycles. It's like asking a marathon runner who just finished a race to immediately sprint 100 meters; their 'poor condition' is the inevitable result of a flawed rhythm.

What is 'Training Rhythm'?

Training rhythm refers to the entire dynamic cycle of training, nutrition, rest, and psychological motivation planned for racing pigeons around a season or specific race. It is not a rigid, fixed schedule but a 'living' plan that is constantly fine-tuned based on the overall progress of the flock, individual responses of each pigeon, and external variables like weather and race calendar.

Core Objective: To synchronize the pigeon's physical energy, psychology, and homing desire to peak precisely on the designated race day.

Three Typical Manifestations of 'Pseudo-Poor Condition' and Their Rhythmic Roots

1. Reluctance to Fly, Late Returns ➜ Early Warning of 'Overtraining Syndrome'

This is the most common misjudgment! When training intensity or frequency consistently exceeds the pigeon's ability to recover, it enters an 'overtrained' state.

Characteristics:

• Psychological fatigue appears first.
• Shorter home flight times, unenthusiastic circling of the loft.
• Longer return times from training and appearing tired upon landing.

Root Cause: The fancier adheres to a 'linear acceleration' training model, failing to provide sufficient 'recovery periods.' The physiological principle of 'supercompensation' states that after experiencing a load, the body needs time to recover to a level above its original state. Continuous overload training only causes the pigeon to accumulate fatigue, preventing the completion of the 'supercompensation' cycle.

2. Soft, Inelastic Muscles ➜ Disconnect Between Nutrition and Training Rhythm

Sometimes a pigeon's appetite is normal and its droppings are fine, but when handled, the breast muscles feel soft and weak.

Characteristics:

• Muscles lack fullness and elasticity to the touch.
• Wings appear weak and heavy during flight.

Root Cause: The nutritional supply rhythm in the feed does not match the training expenditure rhythm. For example, on a high-intensity training day, carbohydrates and proteins are not replenished in time, leading to a muscle energy deficit; or on a rest day, high-energy feed is still given, leading to fat accumulation instead of muscle generation.

3. Emotional Agitation, Frequent Fighting ➜ Psychological Rhythm Imbalance

For widowhood cocks, a moderate amount of 'jealousy' and nest-claiming desire before a race is a good thing, but if it turns into constant restlessness and frequent fighting in the loft, it may be a sign of a disturbed psychological rhythm.

Root Cause:

• Allowing the cock to see its mate too early or too frequently, leading to over-excitement and an inability to rest calmly.
• A noisy, crowded loft, or frequent entry of strangers, causing a lack of security.

How to Calibrate Your Training Rhythm?

The key to calibrating rhythm is to learn to observe and combine subjective feelings with objective indicators.