職業教練
說起教練，台北陳永山是台灣職業教練的代表人物。早在50年前，台灣的賽鴿就是以獎金為主，跟所有職業運動一樣，有獎金就有人投入，獎金越高，賽事越強，加入的人就越多，技術與水準就更專業化。但是養鴿並沒有學校課程教學，也沒有基礎教科書學習，只能由鴿書或雜誌來獲取知識。10年前一位華裔德國鴿友做了幾季的歐洲名鴿採訪，很多鴿友也從中得到知識，再不然就從鴿店閒聊中汲取經驗。綜觀所有的基本功都是從賽季錯誤中學習改進。

【圖/文：116出版國際名鴿專集11】

目前台灣職業教練的薪資，平均約在2萬台幣，比賽贏獎則有分紅，鴿舍老闆會事先說明先分紅標準，通常會將成本扣除，另外才有5%~10%分紅。

職業寄養棚
在台灣寄養棚又稱為「綜合櫥」，隨著比賽獎金提高，各鴿舍投入資金更多，幾十年前，漸漸形成開放給朋友寄養鴿子、一起比賽的風氣。比賽結束時，不管是誰的鴿子贏獎，綜合櫥鴿主都可以分享獎金成果20%。

以一個鴿舍一季放40隻鴿子，總有4-6位鴿友作出的幼鴿來參加比賽。這4-6位鴿友，可能會再找幾個朋友一起分擔下注資金。總算起來一個綜合櫥，就可能有20人以上參與這鴿舍的比賽。我說：有獎大家分，輸獎不傷身。這也就是台灣賽鴿能走下去的一個原因。

說到職業寄養棚就是從綜合櫥升級的職業教練，他一定要養功好、常獲獎、在獎金大的鴿會比賽、有自己的鴿舍招兵買馬參加比賽。有些則是跟候鳥一樣，追逐獎金大的鴿會，到當地建鴿舍招兵參加比賽。

不管是職業教練或寄養棚鴿主，很多都很低調，不願意曝光或接受採訪。林建民是目前北部最棒的寄養棚，他養鴿的資歷不長，但天生對動物就是有一套，用在養鴿上一樣表現優異。林建民有4次北海全船總冠軍紀錄，這兩年轉戰北部一級大會，成績令人佩服。

職業教練與職業寄養棚最大的差別就是－寄養棚是自己當老闆，盈虧自負。但是同樣的他與綜合櫥一樣，抽取每位寄養人的獎金20%。通常是不扣本，並且不負責中網鴿子的贖金。即使如此， 職業寄養棚還是非常辛苦努力奮鬥為自己在賽鴿中出頭。

Professional Pigeon Trainer and Foster Pigeon Loft

Professional trainer
Speaking of pigeon trainer, Chen Yung-Shan from Taipei is a most representative trainer in Taiwan. Back in 50 years ago, they developed Bonus system just like all the other professional sports, there are more and more people participating in pigeon racing because of the money. As time goes by, training skills have become more mature. However, there is no course or textbook that can learn from; the only way to get knowledge is to read books or magazines. Also, it is always a good way to learn from experienced fanciers or trainers. Ten years ago, a German born Chinese made a few collections of some interviews of celebrity pigeon trainers from Europe. Lots of fanciers actually benefited from those collections. Otherwise learning from the pigeon shop chatted lessons. In brief, learning from mistakes is really important.

The average salary for a trainer in Taiwan is around NTD 20,000. There are bonuses if you win the competitions. The owner of lofts will structure bonus plans in advance. In general, it is around 5% to 10% of the prize money, after deduction of the cost.

Professional Foster Pigeon Loft
In Taiwan, foster pigeon loft is also known as “composite pigeon loft”. With the growing of the bonus, there is more money being invested in lofts. A few decades ago, some fanciers started to train and race pigeons together in order to improve the chances of winning. Under this rule, no matter who won the price, he should share the money with the owner of foster pigeon loft. Normally is up to 20% of the Bonus.

For instance, there can be more than 20 people involve or invest in a composite pigeon loft. Some put pigeons in the races; some only invest in those pigeons. Each loft can put up to 40 candidate pigeons in a race.

Higher chances of winning and lower risks of losing are primary reasons why we can keep the sport of pigeon racing running in Taiwan.

As to professional foster pigeon loft, it is a composite pigeon loft, which has professional trainer. Professional trainer has to be good at training pigeons and winning prizes. Some professional trainers have their own lofts, and they keen on taking races; while the others will build lofts in different places to form a team by local fanciers’ pigeons.

Most of the professional trainers and owners of foster pigeon lofts don’t want to go public; they are unwilling to do any interview. Lin Chien-Min is currently the best trainer in north part of Taiwan. He is really good at training animals, especially with pigeons even he doesn’t race for a long time. Lin Chien-Min holds the records of four times champion of North Sea Championship of the entire ship. He tune to Taipei biggest club in these two years and the result is real admiringly.

The most significant difference between being a professional trainer and running a professional foster pigeon loft is that you have to take all risks on your own if you run a professional foster pigeon loft.

Though you have to pay the costs all by yourself, you are able to share 20% of the prize of each fancier. Besides, you don’t have to pay ransom for those pigeons in net. However, it still takes a great effort to win a race.