Feeding pigeons when and how much?

[Hokum Coco]

pigeons are vegetarian.

My birds staple food is grain I agree. Then again when foraging free from the loft my birds will occasionally eat insects, snails and earthworms. Habits most likely replicated viewing my chickens in their run. I do not believe small amounts of cat food or forms of protein would actually harm your squab.

 

[jak2002003]

With my fancy pigeons I fill their feeder in the morning... and they have food all day. I only will re fill the feeder when its empty... so they have to eat all the grains in the mix and I don't get any wasted feed.

They are still very good at coming back into the coop when called even if they are not hungry... because they know I will give them a few peanuts! If there are one or 2 birds still lazing on the roof... they always come back in before dark to roost... then I shut them in for the night to protects them form predators.

Performing or racing birds are different.. as you want to use the feedings to get them trained to come into the loft when called ASAP.

 

[LamarshFish]

I Live in Sandsky Ohio. My children found an abondoned baby pigeon,( they thought was a duck yea right) he doesnt want to be outside he wants to live inside I have no idea what to feed him we were feeding him wet cat food/dog food frozen peas oatmeal. He still wants to eat outta my hand and will not stay outside. Dont know if its a male or female ,and if he gets mad he "hits us with his wing" he cries constantly. He or she wants to be held all the time
Is he crying cuz hes hungry or wants attention?

If the bird is eating frozen peas just fine it should do fine on any food pigeons thrive on. The easiest to get would be any chicken layer pellet so long as it's not medicated (added vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, etc, are fine and are not medications, so pellets like Purina Layena work good, my birds eat that mixed in with their pigeon seed mix). But you are in Sandusky (I live outside Detroit, not too far from you), so I am sure there are feed stores nearby that sell a good pigeon seed mix. I use a great pigeon seed mix made by Armada grains, which is up here near Detroit, and I would be surprised if they didn't have it available near you down in Sandusky. I mix it with Purina Layena chicken layer pellets at a ratio of about 1/3 layer pellets 2/3 pigeon seed mix.

The crying you are referencing is just the noise young pigeons make, it is why they call them "squeakers". They "squeak" pretty much anytime they encounter you or another bird. They'll do it out of fear, excitement, pretty much anything. They are squeakers. It is not crying, per se. At a certain age, maybe around 2 months old, they stop squeaking and start growling and cooing instead. I find the growling to be hilarious.

Wing slaps are definitely their main line of defense next to a peck. It is quite funny when they do it--while it can catch you off guard and surprise you, it is not painful. When they get older and stronger they can do it so fast you can barely see it.

If this bird has bonded to you, it will be tough to get it to leave. I would plan on keeping it as a pet for your kids. Find it a buddy and start a small loft. It's a fun hobby for your kids. If you want a few other young squeakers about that age (assuming it is that age), I can get you a few if you want to make the drive up to where I am at. I live just outside Detroit, so I think about 2 hours from you. You could also peek around and see if you can find a loft near you to get a few more squeakers from.

Post a picture and we can judge the age. If the bird has any down feathers (fuzzies) still on its head or neck, it is 6 weeks or younger.