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myth or fact?

post #1 of 18
2/12/12 at 12:36am
Thread Starter 

Ok, I am not familiar with pigeons. Someone told me that feeding uncooked rice to pigeons will cause the crop to bloat.  The story I was told was, that the reason people aren't supposed to throw rice at weddings is because it will cause the crop to swell, thus harming the birds.

 

I am under the impression  that rice on a hard surface might cause people to slip and fall.  Also the mess the birds would make hanging around the areas is the real and true reason for places to ban rice throwing.  I do know for fact that  most restaurants  have signs posted around their outdoor seating areas, asking patrons to please not feed the birds because they make a mess.

 

Getting back to the uncooked rice. Will it actually swell the crop and cause a blockage?

 

 

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post #2 of 18
2/12/12 at 3:28am

Here is what Cornell has to say

In-case you don't know Cornell is one of the top research places in North America on birds

 

 

If birds eat uncooked rice, can it swell up in their throats and stomachs and kill them?

Lots of birds eat uncooked rice in the wild. Bobolinks, sometimes called rice birds, are a good example. While rice is okay for birds, many wedding parties now throw bird seed instead

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post #3 of 18
2/12/12 at 4:56am
You can read what Snopes has to say about it here.

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/birdrice.asp

Birds can safely eat rice, just like other grains. If you think about it, several other grains swell up when you soak them, just like rice.
Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
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Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
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post #4 of 18
2/12/12 at 4:27pm

I don't believe it......... never seen it, and never want to.....

I specialize in West-of-England-Tumblers and American Fantails..............

 

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I specialize in West-of-England-Tumblers and American Fantails..............

 

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post #5 of 18
2/12/12 at 5:36pm

I have had some squeakers die because of food expanding in the crop.

My Favorite Resourse besides BYC is GOOGLE.
"Even the expert was once a begainer."
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My Favorite Resourse besides BYC is GOOGLE.
"Even the expert was once a begainer."
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post #6 of 18
2/13/12 at 6:29am

MYTH!

Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
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Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
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post #7 of 18
2/13/12 at 11:53am

I believe myth too.......

 

I specialize in West-of-England-Tumblers and American Fantails..............

 

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I specialize in West-of-England-Tumblers and American Fantails..............

 

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post #8 of 18
2/13/12 at 4:15pm

Somebody better tell the birds that clean up the rice patties this pronto. ;)

 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

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 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

2012 Art Contest runs till Midnight EST Dec 31st 2012

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634433/2012-coloring-contest-rule-thread

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post #9 of 18
2/13/12 at 9:03pm

For rice to swell it needs water. Where would the water come from? And whatever happened to all the dead pigeons that should have been laying around the entrance to churches?

 

It's a myth.

OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

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OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

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post #10 of 18
2/13/12 at 9:07pm

It isn't that they can't eat the rice as much as the abundance of it at a wedding.  The birds tend to eat so much of it that when they do get water it CAN cause a problem, not that it will.

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