They may need some red grit.
Kristian your birds are the same as mine...Yes I do put sand in the bowl, ½ way full to be exact...You're right, about keeping the eggs warm and egg are secure...My birds do eat or peck whatever is in it, don't really know what are they eating but it seems they like it...I've tried to put sand in their nest bowl.. the reason, a fancier told me that it is good to use sand in their nest bowl, for their eggs will be secured and it can warm the eggs while on the sand.. But suddenly, I felt that they love to pick a lot of the sand.. Is there anything good about the sand for them?
Pegasus, if there is only sand in the bowl, that's like having nothing at all. They have nothing to grab onto. It's like sitting on the hard floor. And that could cause splayed leg. They should have something under them to grab onto to keep their legs from going out to the side constantly. And if you are going to put stuff on top of it, then why do you need the sand? And, if it gets soiled, which it will, then they are eating it, well how good is that? In the wild, would they use sand in their nest? Don't think so.Jay since I'm using the sand for my breeders, I haven't seen a baby with splayed legs, not to my babies anyway, even before I use the sand method...I mean I honestly think splayed legs for my opinion happens when there's nothing in the bowl at all...The sand can be pressed like when we go to the beach and stepped on the sand it pressed down but there are times when we misstepped and sprain our ankle, but that is less likely will or can happen to baby pigeon legs...
Dave I think anything the fire burns and whatever is in it, will be in the smoke and eventually gone for good so anything that was in the wood will gone and become ashes after the fire is done doing its bizness with it...IMO...
I have to agree. You need to use enough, and many nest bowls don't have nearly enough in them.As far as splayed legs go any good nesting material, pine needles, straw, heck i have even used shavings with good results, you just have to USE enough of it. I have seen many pictures of young in the nest here with to little nesting material.... JMHO dave
Pigeons will peck at ANYTHING! They do not know what is and isn't good for them. And if charcoal is used, it should be from the pigeon supply places.Okay I agree...I know nails and other metal stuff that is attached to the wood won't burn but Dave do you think pigeons don't know what's in the ashes when they peck it...But anything that man made and applied to the wood will dissolve eventually...Like I said I think they do know what they peck and not to peck...
