About

A small messenger app-based operation with a reputation for transparency and fair commission structures inspired the Best Pigeon auction site for racing pigeons.

South Africa’s Best Pigeon auction website for racing pigeons sprouted from owner Petrie Maré’s love for animals as a child.

But his passion for these elegant birds only took flight in 2011 when he found himself admiring parades of pigeons circling the vast Karoo skies. It was then that he decided to build his very first loft.

The Eastern Cape town of Graaff-Reinet is now home to his award-winning racing pigeons and breeding programme.

Maré also has a full-time job in the wool and mohair sector where he specialises in small stock stud breeding and genetics.

His early success in the sport encouraged him to pursue his ambition to become one of the country’s top pigeon fanciers.

He started with 100 birds in his first year, purchased from Hans Greeff in Middelburg. The following year he acquired another 70 from Boertjie Nel in Despatch.

The latter’s led him to the title of Young Bird Champion in his second year of racing. He then used the top pigeons from these two batches as breeding stock.

Since then, Maré’s racing pigeons have performed well in prestigious One Loft competitions. In 2021, his birds were awarded Club, Young Bird and Open Champion accolades at club level.

Despite the programme’s success, Maré still uses the same loft that he built all those years ago.

“What’s most important is that we breed top quality, healthy pigeons. An attractive loft doesn’t make your birds faster.”

He believes there is no such thing as the “perfect” pigeon, but neither a perfect human being.

“All the pigeon families in the world are good. The big difference is not the pigeon family, but the good pigeon in the family.”

When it comes to selecting the right bird, he says it’s important to know its pedigree.

“This indicates the bird’s family history. If it comes from a bloodline of champion birds, it’s likely to inherit the same strengths.”

The more top pigeons in its pedigree, the better the chances of it breeding well, he says.”

As an experienced buyer, Maré had come across questionable auctioneering practices in the past. He also found that fanciers were often charged exorbitant commission rates.

And that’s where he identified an opportunity.

He began selling pedigree pigeons via a mobile messaging app during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 (the group traded under the name SA Best Pigeon Auctions, which inspired the brand identity of this venture).

The popularity of this small-scale initiative quickly grew into a fully-fledged online auction website, Best Pigeon. Maré says it is a practical, honest service that offers buyers more transparency and affordability while guaranteeing sellers higher prices.

Thanks to a network of established breeders, the portal connects a host of reputable sellers with interested buyers.

The ability for buyers to contact breeders directly differentiates Best Pigeon from other auction sites, says Maré. According to him, providing the breeders’ contact details allow for an open, honest relationship between buyers and sellers.

Best Pigeon offers three distinct ways of trading. Racing pigeon lots are sold in Live Auctions, Fixed Price Auctions and Pre-bidding Auctions.

It is not necessary to register to browse these auctions. When you decide to place a bid, you will be directed to a once-off registration page.

Once registered, you can choose to stay logged in for future visits. Alternatively, simply log in next time you’re in the bidding game.

You don’t need a carrier pigeon to get a message to us! Simply send an “airmail” by clicking here or a WhatsApp to 064 758 0439.

Great Genetics

We source only the very best racing pigeons for South African fanciers. One might say it is in our genes to identify great genetics.

Lots of Lofts

With our proven track record and a reputation for transparency, we have built relationships with the best lofts and pigeon fanciers in the country.

Homing Service

As an intermediary between buyers and sellers we, unfortunately, do not cater for the transport of your newly acquired pigeon/s.

Proof of Payment

Successful bidders receive an email with a description of their purchase as well as the payment and contact details of the seller.

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