Feeding pigeons

[t-setter]

Thanks to advice on this forum, I've switched feeding my pigeons cracked corn, to a mix of cracked corn and calf pellets. I am a bit shocked by how much the birds will eat. I have four young pigeons that will empty a filled feeding tray in a day and a half. Do I need to limit the amount of food I am giving them, or just let them eat whatever they want and keep filling the feed tray?

[ezzy333]

The pigeons only need a heaping tablespoon for a day, but they should not have cracked corn. Feed shelled corn instead. Sounds to me like they are wasting a lot trying to get to what they like the best.

Ezzy

[t-setter]

Ezzy,
Why is shelled corn preferable to cracked corn? Does cracked corn cause problems in pigeons? Thanks for your help.

[ezzy333]

Yes, cracked corn has several disavantages but uppermost is it can cause problem when they are feeding the babies. It also is dusty, and spoils a lot quicker in the bag but more so in the feeder where it picks up moisture.

Ezzy

[Chukar12]

...only a heaping tablespoon? I have been over feeding these con artists, by a lot I think. Ezzy, I am feeding something called pigeon gold that is 15% protein. Am I over doing it on pigeon food? Its like 20-22 bucks for I dunno 25 or 30 pounds I go through a bag in 2 weeks or so for 40-%0 pigeons

[ezzy333]

...only a heaping tablespoon? I have been over feeding these con artists, by a lot I think. Ezzy, I am feeding something called pigeon gold that is 15% protein. Am I over doing it on pigeon food? Its like 20-22 bucks for I dunno 25 or 30 pounds I go through a bag in 2 weeks or so for 40-%0 pigeons

I'm using a similiar feed but now in the winter I dilute it with shelled corn ,white milo, and a few Black sunflower seeds plus just a little rabbit pellets or you could use a layer pellet. The birds will tend to leave the pellets and the barley out of the feed and when they do I cut them back just a little. It gives me a good way to tell whem they are getting as much as they want. The rabbit pellets are something I am trying this year to add vitamins and added legumes as the rabbit pellets are over 50% alfalfa meal and little grain which allows me to keep them in good shape with out getting too fat before we start letting them lay and raise next years birds. The layer pellets could be used as the only feed if you want and they are cheaper and are a little higher in protein. Wish I could find Turkey Grower year round as that is 22% protein which would be great while the birds are molting and for the young birds while growing.

Birds are like dogs, agreat deal more are overfed than underfed.

Ezzy

[Scott Linden]

I think you might be feeding the local rodent population too.

[brad27]

I think you might be feeding the local rodent population too.

I can't tell you how many squirrels I've killed this year in my coop.

[SHORTFAT]

This summer I had a pigeon trap in an old barn... only problem was, it was full of cats too... spent the whole summer feeding my pigeons to the cats... oh... I'm sorry... you ment BIRD food??? in that case, shelled corn, cracked corn and a few sunflower seeds.