What to feed?

I am planning on trapping some of the feral pigeons that live on our property, and I'm wondering what would be the best - but simple -
diet to start them off with? I'm afraid that with the weather conditions around here, they're starving and freezing in the old shed they currently live in

Cheers

FlyAwayHome wrote:

I am planning on trapping some of the feral pigeons that live on our property, and I'm wondering what would be the best - but simple -
diet to start them off with? I'm afraid that with the weather conditions around here, they're starving and freezing in the old shed they currently live in

Cheers

Forget the expensive type food Fly away I suggest. Cheap will be OK etc at this early stage with your ferals. Chicken/rabbit/turkey pellets may be an option or just plain wheat/barley/maize etc or a combination mix of grains. Just have a good look at your options the next time you pick up your horse feed there as such. Pigeons will easily adapt to just about anything if it's a free bee especially ferals, who do it tough compared to the normal racing pigeon types on average .
*****

I was brought a Ferrari Pigron that had been got by a cat, it was quite badly wounded and had no tail or secondaries, it’s been in my hospital hutch all through the bad weather the last couple of weeks, I gave it the same all round mixture as my racers but it only picked the wheat out, so now I only give it wheat on its own and it’s picking up nicely.

The weather here is not as bad as yours but the ferals that eat anything in front of them are often in better shape than some fanciers racers.

Left over bread etc; will be eaten just as well as anything else, a starving pigeon will not be choosy/

Just look up left overs that may not be suitable, all the information is available, and good luck with your efforts to give the ferals a better life.

Regards/

a few years ago, when there was a corn shop in leeds......I once arrived there and found a note on the door "back in 10 mins" so while im sat in the car watching the ferals poke about in the dirt, I realised I had some left over corn in a bag , in the boot........I got the corn and threw it down for the group of ferals, they pecked around in it half heartedly, not really taking much of it, and not really interested in it....then while im sat watching in the car, the hair dresser next door comes out and throws some pieces of bread out for them, they swooped on it going mad at it, leaving the corn I had given them.......

Knackered wrote:

FlyAwayHome wrote:

I am planning on trapping some of the feral pigeons that live on our property, and I'm wondering what would be the best - but simple -
diet to start them off with? I'm afraid that with the weather conditions around here, they're starving and freezing in the old shed they currently live in

Cheers

Forget the expensive type food Fly away I suggest. Cheap will be OK etc at this early stage with your ferals. Chicken/rabbit/turkey pellets may be an option or just plain wheat/barley/maize etc or a combination mix of grains. Just have a good look at your options the next time you pick up your horse feed there as such. Pigeons will easily adapt to just about anything if it's a free bee especially ferals, who do it tough compared to the normal racing pigeon types on average .
*****

OK, thanks. Off-topic, but I actually just feed my horses oats and hay; no bought horse feed.


@Boosey - I guess that pigeon had never known other food, so it figures he only ate the wheat.

@MISTY - OK, I'll do that. Yeah, I figured they wouldn't be picky, but I wanted them on a healthy diet from the get-go.

@David - That's a cool story! Goes to show that their favoured food depends more on what they're used to eating than what pigeons 'usually' eat.


Thanks for all the help, guys!

what do members feed for first few races of the season ? we will be on jerry a low protein high energy mix from countrywide similar to Gerry +

Yep, ANY THING and as cheap0 as possible. they will appreciate whatever.

Also, if any are really down, a small worm down the throat is a great protein booster.

When I was an 'Animal rescue service' I had a farmer phone, and worried regards what to feed a poorly pigeon. Was less than 3 miles away and came over with it. I showed him the loft and had a good chat etc.
He said 'So glad to see you, makes us pleased that such as you, spend time and effort in this regards... I was really worried about what to feed it. Tried worms, bread etc. but didn't seem interested'.

a little after he said Mind I get lots of pesky pigeons in my barns and at my corn ...' I left it as he seemed to suddenly realise...'.
Yes they will take a injured bird, say a rook and hand rear it and let it go … a while later they will be shooting them.
Knew a Fox hunter who was constantly after foxes... yet always had two tame ones.