Pigeon help please

[rittert3]

I've heard cracked corn will inhibit breeding and the production of milk? can anyone second that? I had a mixed flock for 2 or 3 years and only ever got 4 eggs of which 2 hatch and the squeakers died after 2 or 3 days, a freind who keeps a ton of pigeons told me that it was because I was feeding scratch grain that contained cracked corn.

 

[old*cowboy]

Not so much inhibit breeding or milk production, but cracked corn is more prone to get moldy than whole corn and is not as nutrisish. If just feeding scratch grains it may be that the birds are not getting all the nutriants they need. They need a better sorce of protein, and whole corn would be better. If you have access to some form of peas, Canadian, or other sorce of protein. Sunflower or saflower seeds would be good additive also

 

[shelleyd2008]

Aren't the german owl pigeons the ones who are unable to feed their babies due to their beaks being so short?

I know it's one type of owl pigeon.

 

[shelleyd2008]

old*cowboy :

Not so much inhibit breeding or milk production, but cracked corn is more prone to get moldy than whole corn and is not as nutrisish. If just feeding scratch grains it may be that the birds are not getting all the nutriants they need. They need a better sorce of protein, and whole corn would be better. If you have access to some form of peas, Canadian, or other sorce of protein. Sunflower or saflower seeds would be good additive also

I've also heard that cracked grains (corn) can cause sour crop. Best to avoid it in my opinion.​

 

[rittert3]

That was what my buddy said "it tears up their crops". I threw a sack of chick grit in but that wasn't for nutrients. I guess I will try adding some BOSS next time I have them around, thats about as good as I can find around here.

 

[hookedonpigeons]

It would help to add some safflower seed to your mixture of feed.Protien helps make fat,healthy young.Carbs and Fats give the parents energy to take care of the young.
Safflower-Protien48.0% Carbs16.3% Fats32.6%

Thanks,
Logan

 

[GLBRWyans]

old*cowboy :

I have had pigeons for over 45 years. Have fed any thing from pig pellets to chicken pellets. Lots of grain mixtures. Once they tag a bag as "pigeon" feed, then they can charge much more for it. Whatever you are feeding the adults, if it is a complete balance it will work for the babies.

Chicken laying pellets and pigeon pellets are basically the same thing as you most likely know . I buy a scratch grain from Tractor Supply also; that has several different grains in it that
they like . Looks like a pair of Lahores as your avitar picture , am I right or wrong . We have white Homers , Modenas , Satinettes and soon to get some LaHores . Just recently found
a breeder of Lahores in California , that has about 300 of them and he raises them to show . We are getting some of his culls , because we aren't interested in showing birds . I use crushed oyster shell and red grit also . ACV in their water 3x a week , Primalac 2x a week and garlic 2x a week .​

 

[GLBRWyans]

Quote:
They love safflower and we crush animal grade peanuts also , I have hand raised several youngsters and used the Kaytee powdered formula that has peanut in it and it really fattens them up . Black oiled Sunflower is good also .

 

[old*cowboy]

Quote:
Chicken laying pellets and pigeon pellets are basically the same thing as you most likely know . I buy a scratch grain from Tractor Supply also; that has several different grains in it that
they like . Looks like a pair of Lahores as your avitar picture , am I right or wrong . We have white Homers , Modenas , Satinettes and soon to get some LaHores . Just recently found
a breeder of Lahores in California , that has about 300 of them and he raises them to show . We are getting some of his culls , because we aren't interested in showing birds . I use crushed oyster shell and red grit also . ACV in their water 3x a week , Primalac 2x a week and garlic 2x a week .

Good luck with the lahores, I love them have had them since I was a kid. Please share pictures when you get them. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

 

[aarronh]

At the suggestion of June Bug, I feed my serama (and pigeons) Purina Nutri-Blend... I love it, and there is less waste than crumbles or mash... It's a complete ration, so I don't have to worry about deficiencies, and the birds seem to love it. I wasn't able to find it readily available, but I just printed this photo and took it to my local feed co-op, and she was able to order it in. It's about $21 a bag, but for as little as I go through, it doesn't ruin my bank account.