grit and minerals

just wondering what the alternatives are to science's deformation as to what avian beings may need in this sphere also what may be the outcome to lack of these substances ie bad egg formulation,weak bones in the wing joint or feet or even keel or vent do members think that our pigeons are an ever prevalent species whereby they may not need what nature intended ...what alternatives have members come by In the absence of nature ...to not consider our feathered friends well being and spend time on catering for fancy pedigrees instead of good basic care will only lead one way ....basically lads ,have the best birds on the market but it wont get you anywhere unless they get the right care and that's before motivation ....don't do 2nd best that's for the rest

Pigeons have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. So obviously they managed to get all the minerals etc, they need. Of course, they did not race as they do today, so maybe extras are needed? Birds not let out here get a sod. A turf. Others field. Pullet grit and salt is in the loft at all times. Makes me wonder what the original pioneers did for minerals many years ago? Maybe the selection is not so rigid now and birds need the extras? Do not know. With all the additives and supplements, do not see the speeds increasing proportional from years ago. Not from the distance anyway.For all the meds, supplements etc the birds get, pigeon crap must be worth it's weight in gold.
Eating dirt.

fair shout hal I note you provide the main 2 in the form of calcium and sodium also a turf ...unfortunately I don't have the luxury of the countryside here ...if I were to dig up a turf here it would have an empty packet of woodbines and 6 cans atb thanks for the reply

Bath time, snow and mud, birds enjoy it.

halcanada wrote:

Bath time, snow and mud, birds enjoy it.

Great shot Hal Reminds me some what of a champion flyer here, who happily let's his birds bath with his chooks for the enjoyment factor, while playing in his yard. Now !!! . Nice lofts, about the same vintage ??? as K's & mine.

Nothing wrong with that Halcanada if you like this but everyone to there own

I know alot of fanciers who leave there pigeons on open hole which allows the pigeons to do what ever they want

Nothing wrong with that Halcanada if you like this but everyone to there own

I know alot of fanciers who leave there pigeons on open hole which allows the pigeons to do what ever they want

You can give your birds all kinds of supplements, pickstones, grits etc but sometimes they will still drop if they see other pigeons picking in the fields or barn tops. They just get attracted by them.
20 years or more ago there was a massive opencast mine site half a mile behind our lofts. There was a massive heap of clay-type material that had been scraped and stashed while the coal was collected. This heap was so big it was like an old pit heap in size.
One lads birds started dropping there, and he was a fancier who never really put a lot of effort in to his birds welfare so these pigeons were likely looking for something in the way of minerals. In a short time dozens of lofts had there birds dropping there and they would stay there all day long, hundreds of pigeons, some travelling from several miles away and from good lofts too. They were just picking about oblivious to the massive plant vehicles trundling past them all day. We had pickstones, grit, the lot down for ours but nothing could stop them going to the heap. Kept them in for a week, kept them hungry, the lot, but as soon as they got out off they went. When they came back they'd drink the drinker dry and the droppings were just yellow slime. There were hardly anyone who could send racing for ages till the heap was levelled and the area landscaped again.

barnie wrote:

You can give your birds all kinds of supplements, pickstones, grits etc but sometimes they will still drop if they see other pigeons picking in the fields or barn tops. They just get attracted by them.
20 years or more ago there was a massive opencast mine site half a mile behind our lofts. There was a massive heap of clay-type material that had been scraped and stashed while the coal was collected. This heap was so big it was like an old pit heap in size.
One lads birds started dropping there, and he was a fancier who never really put a lot of effort in to his birds welfare so these pigeons were likely looking for something in the way of minerals. In a short time dozens of lofts had there birds dropping there and they would stay there all day long, hundreds of pigeons, some travelling from several miles away and from good lofts too. They were just picking about oblivious to the massive plant vehicles trundling past them all day. We had pickstones, grit, the lot down for ours but nothing could stop them going to the heap. Kept them in for a week, kept them hungry, the lot, but as soon as they got out off they went. When they came back they'd drink the drinker dry and the droppings were just yellow slime. There were hardly anyone who could send racing for ages till the heap was levelled and the area landscaped again.

good post barnie ...it only takes one idiots pigeons and the rest drop like sheep must have been a nightmare

There are many roads to Rome. I am not suggesting people change. The main loft is junk. Pulling it down after this season. Two small ones go up. 6 x 8. So have to eliminate birds. nly way I can do that is race them hard. They should cull themselves. But again, each to their own.

halcanada wrote:

There are many roads to Rome. I am not suggesting people change. The main loft is junk. Pulling it down after this season. Two small ones go up. 6 x 8. So have to eliminate birds. nly way I can do that is race them hard. They should cull themselves. But again, each to their own.

halcanada your spot on many roads lead to Rome there's nothing wrong with that mate

halcanada wrote:

There are many roads to Rome. I am not suggesting people change. The main loft is junk. Pulling it down after this season. Two small ones go up. 6 x 8. So have to eliminate birds. nly way I can do that is race them hard. They should cull themselves. But again, each to their own.

Never feel ashamed of your loft Hal etc. Birds happy/healthy you should be happy Be sides if you ever get down in the dumps I will post up 2 convict lofts here  that will make you feel as if your in paradise, with what you have.

Knackered wrote:

halcanada wrote:

There are many roads to Rome. I am not suggesting people change. The main loft is junk. Pulling it down after this season. Two small ones go up. 6 x 8. So have to eliminate birds. nly way I can do that is race them hard. They should cull themselves. But again, each to their own.

Never feel ashamed of your loft Hal etc. Birds happy/healthy you should be happy Be sides if you ever get down in the dumps I will post up 2 convict lofts here  that will make you feel as if your in paradise, with what you have.

agree...seen plenty fancy lofts where the inhabitants have been down ,keeping them healthy and happy is the main criteria

halcanada wrote:

There are many roads to Rome. I am not suggesting people change. The main loft is junk. Pulling it down after this season. Two small ones go up. 6 x 8. So have to eliminate birds. nly way I can do that is race them hard. They should cull themselves. But again, each to their own.

Halcanada it's not all about the loft mate if the pigeons are happy and healthy that's all that matters
I have seen loads of lofts in my time and having the best does not mean you can gaureentee success

The most successful lofts are old and dropping apart but the pigeons are pure quality and most important happy in them

So true Don.

Rudderfett wrote:

So true Don.

Cheers Martyn ( but what was right )

Bought a mineral block today. $2.

Are you sure someone hasn't sold you a house brick Hal.

How do they get at it Hal can they break bits off, it looks hard in the picture, or do you break it up.

looks like the horse lick block ...hammer job

oldstrain wrote:

looks like the horse lick block ...hammer job

True, "Horse lick block" not a bad price tho $2. Cost 5 times that down here in my neck of the woods etc.

Yes hammer job.

a good quality horse lick with all the goodies in toe would cost about £7 at my local suppliers

Rabbit spools of minerals will work. Pigeons lick them. another method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHZ_Ek6NdwY

I know this is an old thread, but I could use some advice. My birds get no pellets in their feed, and if I'm understanding things correctly alot of birds get their extra salt from the feed in pellets. The only pigeon grit that I can pickup is Winners Cup red. It has some salt in it as well as oyster shell. I mix 1/2 pure oyster she'll with the winners cup grit. They have really slowed down on the grit intake since the onset of winter.
I can get them mineral blocks in any form as well as the he loose salt minerals from the feed store.
I USE to have a 200 doe rabbitry and would buy the spools by the case. Is this the same mineral blocks that everyone else is mentioning here? I will be pairing the racers up in febuary. I would like to head off any issues before the crop up.