Dogfood

[Big T]

I read somewhere about adding dry dogfood to feed for protein. Is this done? How? Why?

[Grim]

My birds won't touch it. You would probably have to starve them for them to even taste it. After that I bet they love it.

The only thing I think would be bad is the droppings. They would probably be real smelly.

[hillfamilyloft]

I read the article. It was in RPD written by Frank McLauflin. I think you might better off trying some pellets. Flock grower or Turkey pellets. I think I am going to try Purina Pigeon Pellets this year. I am sold on the protein and vitamins that they add. I tried my first round this year with just a breeding mix and did not have as good of luck as with the pellets.

Randy

[Big T]

OK, I guess my real question is, does anybody on this site use it, why and how? Basicly, is this a good idea?

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by Big T

OK, I guess my real question is, does anybody on this site use it, why and how? Basicly, is this a good idea?

To my knowledge, nobody here feeds dry dog food to their pigeons. I will say that I have seen the ferals in my yard come up and GOBBLE dry dog food out of the pans I have out for my dogs. They have NO trouble swallowing even the larger pieces.

I DO mix dry dog food or dry cat food with the grain I feed the ducks and geese here to up the protein level. They love it, but I would be a bit concerned whether some of the ingredients in the dry dog/cat food might be a bit too much for smaller birds like pigeons.

I guess in the end result, I doubt it would hurt pigeons, but I, personally, wouldn't make it a part of their diet. I would opt for pigeon pellets or poultry pellets or crumbles first keeping in mind that poultry food has LOTS of additives that may not be good for pigeons (or ducks for that matter .. too much medication added).

Terry

[pattersonk2002]

I have not tried feeding dog or cat food yet, but now I will try a little bit of it broke up into crumbles, I use a little chicken grower now and they eat it no problem. I have tried the poultry pellets and they would not touch it unless I broke it up and starved them, I gave away 49 pounds. A friend of mine said he gets pellets for pigeons only and and he will bring some next weekend. Let's see how the pigeon pellet's/dog/cat food works, I will let you know.
>>Kevin

[spirit wings]

I think I read that some would do this just a a temp protein untill they found a better feed with the amount they wanted, but I would not feed it all the time...Im with grim sounds like a recipe for stinky poops.......I would feed to the crows though they love it and we all need more crows around...

[rainbows]

If you simply want more protein, why not just add more peas?
Austrian peas---23% protein--1% fat
Canada peas----23% protein--1,5% fat
Maple peas------25% protein--1.1% fat
Vetch peas------26% protein--1% fat

[Pegasus]

DOG FOOD: Well my opinion on that is; they'll eat it but only if they see some crumbs that my dog drop on the floor...Cat food; never try that and never will...Turkey pellets; well, here in NYC don't have much turkey as pet, so can't find any of that pellets here...Chix pellets; , YES, I use these feed to put a lot of weight on young babies and make them grow faster...Now I'm wondering, all this things that we all hear or read, do we have to try it for curiousity or some are experimenting what kind of feed that our pigeons will and not to eat? I certainly might say I noticed that my birds eat some charcoal ashes, pebbles of rocks, some little leaves from what ever kind of weeds and something from the grass that was cut from my neighbors lawn, now there's something on those things that I mentioned that they know they can eat that we don't of or don't have any idea what it do for them...Once in awhile I give them charcoal ashes and they all jump down and nibble in it, maybe ashes filters something in their system. After they eat the ashes the poops turns dark...So in case anyone of you might try this, I just want to let you know that, this is normal...

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by rainbows

If you simply want more protein, why not just add more peas?
Austrian peas---23% protein--1% fat
Canada peas----23% protein--1,5% fat
Maple peas------25% protein--1.1% fat
Vetch peas------26% protein--1% fat

That would be a "simple" way IF you can find the peas. You sure won't find them in MY part of the country.

[re lee]

Peas have really gone up And in some areas they are getting harder to get. I checked myself just a few weeks ago. NOW mung beans which are about the size of peas and 22 percant protien Can be found easyer Plus about 25 doolar for fifty pounds. I also read about fish food pellets being used at one of the 1 loft races purina fish pellets for trout and forget the name Not the pelets for catfish or gold fish And its I believe some whaere around 35 to 40 percent protien. Now on Dog food Yes it could work As several years ago I met a person that bred from 500 pair of cockitiels Yes 500 pair. He had gone to just feeding dog food wet it some and fed it. He said 1 it saved him money on feed 2 the young was raised better. 3 the birds liked it. So If he could use it with no probelms yes A pigeon could Would I use it NO Pellets or mixing more high protien grains Sounds better even calf mana Works great I have used it in the past IT does change droppings gives droppings a red tinge color also. Birds put on wieght young birds seem to grow faster. I have read where some people use grated cheese. Lambs fat. carrots ect. I have never but these people also have world class birds. Maybe its in the cheese who knows. During a moult and breeding season higher protien helps BUT look at the ferals They never get the great stuff and do well pretty good. Pigeon feeds can be simple or balanced in human concept. I have seen birds that were just fed milo and whole corn Plus grit and vit. And they looked great raced very well. So its guess work in a awy as to what is best. Might be dog food Who knows for sure.

[pattersonk2002]

Originally Posted by rainbows
If you simply want more protein, why not just add more peas?
Austrian peas---23% protein--1% fat
Canada peas----23% protein--1,5% fat
Maple peas------25% protein--1.1% fat
Vetch peas------26% protein--1% fat

I have found canadian peas and soy bean seeds at the bulk food store.
I pay about $1.30 a pound but I only need $5.00 worth of each a month.
Right now I get alot of it from the cobines spilling it so I am set for a while.
>>Kevin

[george simon]

Well I have the book by Robert Kinney and I will quote what he said about DOG FOOD "I can't hold anything back,so I'll tell you about it. When performance is down and you can't figure out why, get some small,high-protein DOG KIBBLE,and fill a bowl( or cafeteria feeder)with it don't feed anything else until it's been completely eaten.about 10 days later, performance should be back.."He feels that the birds need some limited animal fat in their system. I feel that one can use cod liver oil or salmon oil, on their feed along with brewer yeast to supply all the animal fat that the birds need(b-12). GEORGE

[rainbows]

After the big scare of tainted gluten being used in dog and cat foods that caused so much illness and many deaths in American pets, I'm not sure dog food should be fed to any animals. Many of the persons who recommend the use of dog food did so before this disaster of tainted pet food.

[Big T]

Thanks to all, Read about feeding dog food to the birds but it did not make since to me then I noticed wild birds around the dog food bowl the other day and had to ask. My birds are fine and happy. If they want dog food they can eat out of the bowl with my dog. Thanks again for the info, that is why I like this site.