Refusing to eat grit

[ilikepigeons]

I got grit for my pigeons a few days ago, and haven't had any luck getting them to eat it. I have it in a clean dish on the ground near where they are fed. The grit is a mixture of redstone, calcite, canunda shells and charcoal in appropriate size for pigeons. I got my one brave bird to go up to the dish for a sunflower seed treat but when there is no goodies in the dish she ignores it. None of my other birds have even approached it, it is like they are scared of it. I have tried putting the grit dish right beside their feed dish while i am feeding them and they still ignore it.
I'm not sure how to get them to try it, if anyone here has ideas that would be appreciated

 

[cavemanrich]

You have to understand,,,,, that grit is taken in as needed. When pigeon runs low on grinding supplies in gizzard, they then will take some in. I also read your other post about trying to get them to eat the BVM.. If a pigeon does not think it needs something,,,, they will just leave it alone. Chickens are similar in behavior.
I know the BVM is a good thing,,,,,,,, but I also know that broccoli is a good thing,,,,,, that wife tries to get me to eat. I just wont have it usually.

Leave the grit somewhere where it is always accessible. They may take small quantities at times that you are not present. Grit is not something that pigeon needs to take in with every meal. It stays inside pigeon until it wears out, and passes thru digestive track.

Not sure of how you are keeping your pigeons. You are somewhat new here, and I have not read many of your posts. If you loft fly your pigeons,,, they may drop down on the ground out of your sight, and pick up gravel grit from the ground.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[gtaus]

I got grit for my pigeons a few days ago, and haven't had any luck getting them to eat it.

Just leave it out and available for them. They don't "eat" grit like they do feed.

You have to understand,,,,, that grit is taken in as needed. When pigeon runs low on grinding supplies in gizzard, they then will take some in.

+1. I always have grit available in a small PVC feeder for my chickens. But I only have to refill the grit feeder maybe once every 6 months. As long as there is grit in the feeder, I don't worry about it. They also pick up grit from the ground in the chicken run. I imagine pigeons do the same.

 

[ilikepigeons]

Ah, I understand now. I thought they would need grit more often but it makes sense that they wouldn't. Thankyou both

 

[cavemanrich]

ilikepigeons​

BTW,,, don't run away.
Post some pix of your flock. A picture speaks a 1000 words.

 

[ilikepigeons]

ilikepigeons​

BTW,,, don't run away.
Post some pix of your flock. A picture speaks a 1000 words.

I'll make sure to start a thread of pics