RACING PIGEONS | From Barcelona Back Home on Sports Nutrition
From Barcelona Back Home on Sports Nutrition
Garvo has been producing pigeon feeds since the late 1960s. Thanks to close contact with many fanciers and the accumulated specialized nutritional knowledge, Garvo produces feeds that are favorites among thousands of pigeon enthusiasts both nationally and internationally. A look behind the scenes of pigeon racing and the specialized sports nutrition that Garvo develops and produces for these birds.
In the Netherlands, more than 13,000 enthusiasts are members of a racing pigeon association. Every day, they care for their pigeons with love and dedication. Almost all of these fanciers participate in competitions during spring and summer. The pigeons are well trained so they can compete in races from April through October. The period from January to March focuses on breeding young pigeons. After hatching, older pigeons feed their young with “crop milk,” a porridge from the crop consisting of mucus and ground seeds they have eaten. The Dutch term for pigeon fanciers (“duivenmelkers”) originates from this word crop milk.
Young pigeons grow rapidly. After one week, they open their eyes and already begin eating grains and seeds. At one month old, they start flying. Racing pigeons have an instinct that guides them back home. Fanciers train their young pigeons to return from increasingly greater distances to their loft—their home. A good racing pigeon that is sold will no longer compete, as it would simply fly back to its original owner. Champion pigeons that change owners are often used for breeding, hoping the next generation will be just as successful.
Races
During the Dutch racing season in spring and summer, most pigeon fanciers participate in specially organized races. As mentioned, a pigeon must be healthy and well trained to compete. Training can be done by the fanciers themselves, but associations also organize training flights. For races, pigeons are transported in special trucks and released at the race location. During transport, they receive water and feed.
The first races of the season are held with “old pigeons”, all pigeons not born in the current year. From July onward, races for young pigeons are also organized. Besides distinguishing between young and old pigeon races, competitions are also categorized by distance:
Category | Distance
Vitesse | Up to 300 km
Mid-distance | 300–500 km
Long distance (Fond) | 500–800 km
Extreme long distance (Overnight) | Over 800 km
Most pigeon fanciers specialize in a specific category. Pigeons suited for Vitesse races (sprinters) are often less suitable for long-distance races. All racing pigeons wear an identification ring and an electronic chip ring for automatic registration upon return. Their average speed is measured and compared with pigeons from the same region, creating the competitive element. Fanciers can win with a pigeon in a single race or achieve top performance over an entire season.
Pigeon Nutrition Through the Years
Even before 1970, Garvo started producing pigeon feeds—initially on a small scale in plastic bags. At that time, feeds mainly consisted of locally available grains and seeds such as wheat, barley, peas, and corn. Seeds from distant regions were already used as well, including milo, safflower seed, and sunflower seeds. In Brummen, near Drempt, the company Lentink had long produced pigeon feeds in jute bags. Garvo acquired these activities in 1987.
From the 1980s to the mid-1990s, mixtures became more complex, with a greater variety of seeds intended to provide all necessary nutrients. In the early 1990s, Garvo introduced Phase feeding for racing pigeons—a milestone. From that moment, racing pigeons were truly regarded as athletes.
In 1998, Garvo introduced the successor to Phase feed under the name Profi-line. This was a revolutionary development in pigeon nutrition: a feeding system consisting of four mixtures—rich in carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and fat. Fanciers mixed these types according to the preparation phase for a race. Pigeons received energy-rich feed just before basketing for competition and lighter feed upon return. Garvo also provided an annual plan, a complete care schedule.
Solution – A Real Solution
In the wild, pigeons eat seeds, grains, plant sprouts, and limited insects to obtain complete nutrition. Feed consisting only of grains and seeds is therefore incomplete. Many fanciers supplement with vitamins, minerals, or proteins—but finding the correct dosage is difficult.
This became unnecessary with the introduction of Profi-Solution in 2000. Profi-Solution is a supplementary mixture added at approximately one-third of the total feed ration, covering all nutritional requirements. Garvo sparked a revolution by combining knowledge from other animal groups—such as endurance horses—with pigeon sport expertise.
Initially, Profi-Solution looked unfamiliar as pigeon feed: it contained cracked corn, a jet-black pellet, and was oil-coated. Never before had pigeon feed been oiled with high-quality oils or included a pellet packed with valuable nutrients. Fanciers had to adjust to the “fat feed,” but the pigeons proved its effectiveness: smoother feathers, faster moulting, better condition, improved natural (intestinal) resistance, greater endurance, and superior performance.
Demand grew nationally and internationally. Today, Profi-Solution is still available as 3864 Solution and continues to be used at 33% of the total feed ration.
G-Spirits
While the Profi-Line system with Solution was excellent for pigeons, the variety of feed types posed challenges for small-scale fanciers. Frequent feed changes also negatively impacted resistance to intestinal diseases. Additionally, the number of pigeon fanciers declined in the early 2000s. Garvo wanted to make the sport more accessible to beginners with a simpler but equally effective feeding system.
This led to the development of G-Spirits in 2007—complete convenience feeds designed to give pigeons the “spirit” to return home. Based on the quality of Profi-Line with Solution, five complete mixtures were created:
7000 G-Spirits Marathon
7001 G-Spirits Sprint
7002 G-Spirits Breeding
7003 G-Spirits Moulting
7004 G-Spirits Resting
The introduction was highly successful, both domestically and internationally, including strong market growth in England.
The Importance of Sports Nutrition
Many Dutch pigeon races are released in France. For long-distance specialists, the ultimate challenge is the race from Barcelona—over 1,200 km. It remains remarkable that pigeons can cover this distance within two days, often flying overnight.
Preparation, training, care, loft atmosphere, and motivation are crucial. The relationship between fancier and pigeon provides mental motivation. Physically, nutrition must be perfectly balanced.
For short races, pigeons need sufficient fuel without excess weight. For extreme long-distance races like Barcelona, muscle flexibility, waste elimination, and sustained energy are critical. A 1% speed advantage over 1,200 km can make a huge difference.
Garvo continues striving to optimize pigeon nutrition.
Healthy and Vital Racing Pigeons 2026
In 2026, Garvo introduces further optimization focused on healthier, more vital pigeons with maximum performance. The proven 3864 Solution improves digestion and nutritional balance, supporting both body and mind. Many users see improvements within two to three weeks.
The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio has been improved to a maximum of 4:1 across the G-Spirits and Prestige lines. This provides sustained energy, reduced acidification, faster recovery, stronger resistance, and glossy plumage.
Feeds are now packaged under protective atmosphere, extending shelf life to 1–1.5 years while preserving nutrients and preventing oxidation and insect development.
New Lady Pigeon Feed Mixtures
Garvo introduces special widow hen pigeon feed mixtures with more easily digestible protein sources:
5576 Prestige DS Ladies
5596 Prestige PP Power
Always combined with 33% 3864 Solution.
Extra supplements are not necessary, except clean pigeon grit (without added vitamins and minerals).
Garvo Racing Pigeon Range 2026
Healthy, vital pigeons.
Visible performance.
More enjoyment in the sport.
G-Spirits mixtures (renewed, improved, *gas-packed)
7000 G-Spirits Marathon*
7001 G-Spirits Sprint*
7002 G-Spirits Breeding*
7003 G-Spirits Moulting*
7004 G-Spirits Resting*
Prestige mixtures (renewed, improved, *gas-packed)
5581 Prestige racing* (also for junior racing)
5582 Prestige breeding* (also for junior growth)
5583 Prestige moulting
5595 Prestige Pigeon Academy*
5598 Prestige PL Light (also for junior racing)
5596 Prestige PP Power* (NEW – widow hen pigeon feed mixture)
5576 Prestige DS Ladies* (NEW – widow hen pigeon feed mixture)
Specialties (*gas-packed)
3815 Super Energy* (renewed and improved)
3864 Solution
4000 HE 4000* (renewed and improved)
5500 PEP Energy*
5501 PEP Protein*
Other mixtures
1800 breeding/racing
1805 basic pigeon corn
1810 moulting/resting
3805 sweetseed (renewed and improved)
5433 depurative
9161 Zoontjes Special
Additional products
5311 Pigeon Barley
5511 Redstone with Calcium
5512 Mixed Pigeon Grit No. 5 (with anise)
9121 Pick Pot Ostrea Red
9501 Garvolife
9508 Garvocyme
9518 Garvocalcium
9521 Garvo Intestinal improver
