seeds, pellets, grit

[turkey]

OK guys,

I know I've heard mixed things about grit, but I'd like to hear AGAIN what is the proper grit. I have the Red Cross grit, and want to make sure that I'm giving proper nutrients to my pigeons. I also give them vitamin drops in their water. It appears that the Red Cross grit has oyster shells in it, but does it have charcoal in it? And if not, why do I need to give charcoal? Or whatelse is missing that I need to give? The Oyster shells give them calcium, right?

Now about the seed. I understand that each pigeon has it's own desires, but I have seen different mixtures, and I have read the resources on this web site, and they list different things then what my "pigeon mix" comes with. I don't want to be missing a seed that they would enjoy or that is healthy for them simply because my feed store does not put it in their "pigeon mix"

Cracked corn - is not in my mix.
Millet - They eat, also in red.
Poso - Don't know what it is?!?
Milo - They eat. (Maybe this is Poso)
Wheat - They eat.
Canary seed - They eat.
Thistle - They don't like.
Safflower - What is it about Safflower? Did someone say it is not very healthy? All of a sudden Turkey is eating it and Shuku sucks it down. Should I not put a lot out for them?
Small sunflower - They don't like.
Sesame - Don't have.
Dry small split green peas - I think that's what comes in our mix, and they don't like it.
TREATS
Crushed peanuts - they won't eat.
Unpopped popcorn - They won't eat.
Thawed frozen peas and corn - Haven't tried yet.

Is there anything that I missed? Are there any of these that are more healthy then others? Is there anything on here, other then the treats, that is not very healthy for them?

OPINIONS NEEDED
Thank you in advance!
Julie

[turkey]

I forgot to mention
Pellets
Rice

Julie

[maryco]

Julie,

All the stuff you mentioned above Tooty won't eat(PICKY Eater!!)

Now she only eats Milo(sometimes), sesame, Millet and (her Favourite) Opened black oil sunflower seeds!
(which i buy closed and open them by hand for her and have broken afew of my nails on the way )

I want to buy a pigeon mix but if she won't eat more than half the stuff then whats the point?

I have peaunuts, cracked corn ,thrisle , wheat for her and she won't eat them..

For a snack she loooves thawed peas and corn, lettuce..And sometimes oat meal flakes!

Thats all for now..

Mary

[WhiteWingsCa]

We use Red Cross Grit....it's the most expensive one on the market here, but the birds like it (they pitch the cheaper stuff, looking for pieces they want).

as for the rest:

Cracked corn - is not in my mix. -- GOOD! do not feed pigeons cracked corn. Whole corn, good, cracked corn...bad!
Millet - They eat, also in red.
Poso - Don't know what it is?!? Sorry, can't help you here...never heard of it!
Milo - They eat. (Maybe this is Poso) - ok
Wheat - They eat. ok
Canary seed - They eat. ok
Thistle - They don't like. - mine either
Safflower - What is it about Safflower? Did someone say it is not very healthy? All of a sudden Turkey is eating it and Shuku sucks it down. Should I not put a lot out for them? - Safflower is good, but a "high energy" food. For your particular birds (not flying loose, right?), I would give only in small amounts
Small sunflower - They don't like. - it took ours a while, but they did decide eventually that they liked it (the in-the-shell, oiled kind)
Sesame - Don't have. - Me neither
Dry small split green peas - I think that's what comes in our mix, and they don't like it. --- we have something similar...they will eat it eventually, if there is nothing else in the tray. LOL

TREATS
Crushed peanuts - they won't eat. - we feed whole (shelled) raw peanuts. It is an "acquired" taste -- the feel of the nut or something is strange to them at first. But once they "acquire" it....look out! We have about 10 birds that practically rip our shoulders/scalps trying to get to them...and most of the others will eat from our hands if we squat down in the loft with them..the rest gobble them off the floor.
Unpopped popcorn - They won't eat. - some birds will, some won't. Given a choice of corn of any kind or other grains, most of ours eat the corn next to last. (dried peas being THE last!)
Thawed frozen peas and corn - Haven't tried yet. -- not us either.
Rice -- we don't use it ourselves, but know of several people who do.
Pellets -- all we use in winter


Pigeons require a mix of grains for optimum health. Or, a "all in one" pellet.

[turkey]

Thanks Mary and Janine for your responses. They were very helpful.

About the pellets... do they have a certain name? Or are they just called pigeon pellets. I have not used them and I'm not sure if the feed store will give me what I want. You know how some places are, as long as you buy it what do they care?

Julie

[WhiteWingsCa]

Originally posted by turkey:
About the pellets... do they have a certain name? Or are they just called pigeon pellets.

Julie, apparently Purina makes a pigeon pellet....do you have any Purina sales stores around you?

Or, any feed store should be able to contact pigeon feed suppliers, and find a pellet (and yes, they are just called "pigeon pellets" )

For a normal, "round the house" pigeon, not breeding, a 15% protein pellet is great (some people prefer 18% for breeding pigeons)

[DebiTOP]

Why is cracked corn bad? I give that to the ferals downtown when the weather is bad. Am I hurting them? Please someone post an answer or write to me at eekabird@ids.net I really want to help the ferals during the winter but I don't want to give them anything bad.

[TAWhatley]

Hi Deb,

The danger in cracked corn as I understand it is that because it is "cracked" there are sharp edges that can cut the mouth and digestive tract of the bird. This makes them susceptible to bacterial infections that could kill them.

My rescued birds prefer cracked corn to the full popcorn kernals, and in fact would rather eat wild bird seed mix or poultry scratch food than anything that is supposed to be good for them. Both these products contain cracked corn.

In a perfect world, we would feed only the "filet mignon" of bird food to our feathered friends .. in the real world, we feed what we can and frankly .. they aren't real keen on "filet mignon" around my house.

Terry Whatley

[turkey]

Just bumping up.