My wife's grandfather kept racing pigeons back in the 50s and 60s. He would go to football matches across England, with 3 pigeons inside his coat pockets. He'd then write down the half time, full time and extra time scores - setting one pigeon off home each time.

My wife's father would then wait at the coop, and as soon as the scores came in, he'd run to the 5 pubs in their small town and announce the scores (getting a penny or so for his trouble if he was lucky).

This was before local radio was common, and certainly before live football broadcasts of smaller teams. (Once those who had been to the football match (which could be across the country), got back they'd be expected to regale the pub with a description of the game).

I thought it was pretty cool that the birds had a 'real life' use, other than just for the fun of racing them.