what do they actually EAT out of this mix?

[Terri O]

I have had my pair of pigeons (racing Homers) since July. The floor of their cage is literally covered with seed mix! I am using Delong's mix w/o corn. THis is what's in it: Wheat, Milo, Canadian field peas, oat groats, maple peas, white millet and Austrian peas. Occasionally I give them a little cracked corn and some bread. Perhaps 2xmonth. They have grit and oyster shells and fresh water. They live outside in their cage in the barn (for now)
When I give them the food in the morning they seem to pick out something but I cant tell what it is--the food dish is empty the next day. They did have one baby last fall but it must have gotten chilled and it died just when it was growing feathers.
I am concerned that they arent getting all they need if they are picking out certain things in the food. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks! Terri O

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

My rollers do the same thing, I'm curious to see what others have to say...

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Pigeons are pretty picky and will get what they need/like first, and then eat the rest. Sort of like little kids wanting to eat desert first, LOL! If you give them small amounts at a time, allowing them to clean their plate before giving more, then you won't have to worry about them picking through as much and potentially leaving out a seed/grain

I would also provide them with corn (preferably small whole corn, but cracked is fine if nothing else) everyday instead of twice a month, especially since it is winter time. Otherwise, it sounds like a good mix!

 

[shelleyd2008]

You need to get a couple of coturnix to clean up after them

I have doves mostly, and they are weird. My seed mix has milo, millet, wheat, black oil sunflowers, and a little bit of cracked corn. Some of my doves eat everything but the milo, some eat everything but the wheat, others pick out all the sunflower seeds before anything else, and some of them eat (or waste) all of it. So it's pretty much a personal preference on pigeons and doves.

My rollers who are penned up leave the wheat and the corn.

 

[larrylofts]

You Need To Feed Them What They Will Eat In About Twenty Minutes . First So They Eat A Complete Deit . Second Is With That Much Feed Being Wasted On The Floor You Have Rats And Mice Comeing To Eat. Next Will Be The Snakes Then The Next Thing On The Food Chain Is The Birds.

 

[Terri O]

Quote:
Yeah, I was a little bit worried about mice and rats...I do have a feral cat that takes care of most of them...not any snakes around here but Garter snakes...I guess I am just tired of walking around on those field peas---kinda slippery ya know! I will try to give them a bit more corn...if they eat it! I used to buy the kind with corn in it but they really threw that out...and the mice like that a bunch too! OK--a dish of cracked corn tomorrow! Thanks for the replies...I am glad that I dont have the only fussy pigeons in the world! Terri O

 

[Sumatra503]

I feed a Pelleted feed, which is cheaper and cuts down on the waste. I got tired of the wasted seeds and huge mess. It also helps to ensure they get a balanced diet.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Yeah, I've read they only eat the corn out of desperation, I wouldn't purposefully get a feed with corn in it. Mine is the only one I can find, and it doesn't have much corn in it at all.

 

[sourland]

In the winter I feed twice a day as much as they will clean up in 20 minutes. In the summer I continue this regimen with the breeders, but the flying birds only get fed once a day as much as they will eat in 20 minutes. I don't know where the "20 minute rule" came from ,but it is pretty universal. Left to their own means they will pick out all the favorites and toss the rest.

 

[birdmandan]

Get a few king or button quails to clean up the spilt seeds. They breed readily, if you can find a pet shop, they sell them to the shop for around $5 each.