Pigeon Talk

[biophiliac]

Ok thanks! I use to do borax in the bath water but I then quit because they drank it.

why don't I submerge the head?

Mine will drink some of their bath water but it doesn't harm them. It could make their poop a bit wet but just temporary. From what I've seen, it's in their nature to sample any water like liquid they encounter, no matter how funky. I just make sure they always have access to clean fresh water with ACV.
On the bath - I was wrong, you can submerge the head...

 

[Qwerty3159]

Congrats on the egg! Are you going to be flying the youngsters?

That's the plan. I began settling them this week.

I know some fanciers that feed Chicken Layer Pellets solely and nothing else. It is also my staple although I do feed other grains.

I had read that the layer pellets were too high in calcium to be fed as a staple diet, at least for cock birds. I thought I had heard that it wasn't good for their kidneys, but I've been wrong before
I do like feeding the pellets but they make my birds' droppings a bit sloppy which is my only real issue with them.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I had read that the layer pellets were too high in calcium to be fed as a staple diet,

I have read the same. I give them assortment. I believe that they have cravings for food the same as us humans. When calcium begins to get too high I think the birds would naturally go to other grains. I have noticed also they tend to change their preferences for grains as the seasons change. I go through more corn in the winter months especially. They also seem to eat more rabbit pellets in the winter as well.
It has been working for me. They also eat insects if you take note while they are foraging through the lawn.
Pigeon mix is not available in my area at any of the local feed stores.
I work with what is available. Pigeons also love strawberries and beet greens (they raid my garden) and I have to keep them penned when the beets are first coming through the ground and the berries begin to ripen.
Being a pigeon fancier is only a hobby in my case. I do not race and only do white dove releases to supplement the cost of flying my birds.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Mine will drink some of their bath water but it doesn't harm them. It could make their poop a bit wet but just temporary. From what I've seen, it's in their nature to sample any water like liquid they encounter, no matter how funky. I just make sure they always have access to clean fresh water with ACV.
On the bath - I was wrong, you can submerge the head...

Oh woah! I won't be doing that...

 

[biophiliac]

Oh woah! I won't be doing that...

?

 

[backyard pigeons]

?

Sorry, I should have clarified. Dipping its head that deep.

I gave him a bath. He sure didn't enjoy it, but did tolerate it.I

I saw a few more mites... Here's a picture that you can see dots-the mites.

 

[cavemanrich]

I had read that the layer pellets were too high in calcium to be fed as a staple diet, at least for cock birds. I thought I had heard that it wasn't good for their kidneys, but I've been wrong before

One way to remedy that is to go with Alflock Pellets. The calcium is at 2% instead of 4%.
That is what I feed my chickens , since some lay, and some are retired.
I do provide Cracked oyster shells free-choice.
When I had my pigeons, I had no problem getting Pigeon Feed. I still provided free-choice GRIT,,,,,,,, and OYSTER SHELLS I used one of these to provide it separate. Still use same for my chickens.

 

[CCUK]

Just sat on my porch catching up and I hear the wing flapping of a landing pigeon and low and behold #41 has made it back! Straight in food, food, food, water! He's looking quite puffed up and really tired. I'll put some avipro in the water. I really hope the rest return sometime today.

 

[CCUK]

Guess what I just found... Mites! On little jake! What would y'all use to get rid of them? A bath with a little borax?View attachment 1790406

I've not had mites on mine but I use ivermectin on the chickens. We can't get borax either but I've heard that is good. You have him separated already.

 

[CCUK]

#41