Description
Pigeon transport is a niche, yet highly characteristic, part of freight transport, particularly associated with pigeon racing and pigeon racing.
Pigeon transport is the transportation of racing pigeons to their release site, usually hundreds of kilometers from their loft. The pigeons were released there, after which they flew back to their home lofts on their own. The fastest pigeon won the race.
In the early 20th century, pigeons were transported by train in baskets. When railways became more expensive and less practical, clubs switched to trucks. Special pigeon transport vehicles were developed from the 60s onward.
These trucks could transport thousands of pigeons at a time, in racks with air circulation and drinking systems.
Dutch associations such as the NPO (Dutch Pigeon Racing Organisation) had their own fleet of vehicles, such as this one from the Brabant 2000 branch.
Sunrise releases made for spectacular scenes, with thousands of pigeons flying home simultaneously. The drivers often had their regular release sites in France or Belgium.
