Nutrition is commonly neglected with pet birds. Basically, pigeons eat a lot. The best way to make sure your pigeon is getting the food it needs is to let it out of its cage and allow it to seek its food from where you leave it around the house. Pigeons can also eat peas. Mix these products in water or preferably apply directly onto moist food. As a general rule, a premixed bag of pigeon pellets or pigeon feed will have the perfect nutritional balance for your pigeon. Different diet formulations exist for performance birds, resting birds and breeding birds. This protein generally comes from plant sources, but you can often find the ideal protein balance in pigeon feed that is formulated for homing and racing pigeons. Make sure that you read labels carefully and don’t overload your pigeon on a certain nutrient since some vitamins and minerals can be toxic in large doses. Considerations before getting a pigeon as pet; Adoptions and Forums. The best way to ensure that your pet pigeon is getting the nutrition that it needs is to feed it only high quality seed and mixes made with quality ingredients. As a general rule, a premixed bag of pigeon pellets or pigeon feed will have the perfect nutritional balance for your pigeon. Pigeons and doves eat a variety of grains, seeds, greens, berries, fruits, and will occasionally eat insects, snails and earthworms in the wild. When purchasing birds always inspect the housing conditions to ensure it … We aim to become the go-to place for answers to all Pigeon related questions. If you have a pet pigeon, you have a good opportunity to provide it with an optimal diet, something that isn’t always possible for wild pigeons. Pale vegetables, with a high water composition (i.e. A large part of your pet’s diet will be seeds. Avoid sugary treats like honey sticks. Offer a variety of fresh foods every day. But the Lafeber vitamins are fine for your pigeons and generally a better balance than the … Birds seem to do fine without grit. Male pigeons are easy to confuse with female pigeons as they are the same size and they also help to incubate eggs, sharing the job with their... Pigeons poop so much because of their very high metabolic rate. Providing the pigeon with grit and gravel will help it digest its food. Pigeons actually make good very good pets, provided that you choose the domesticated kind. It is common sense that junk food, chocolate, products containing caffeine and alcoholic beverages be avoided. Some of the specific nutrients they need are listed below. You should discuss the nutrition of your pet pigeon or dove with your veterinarian! Nutrition is commonly neglected with pet birds. Avocado is reported to be potentially toxic. Powdered supplements, such as Nekton® (by Nekton-Produkte), Quiko® or Prime® (by Hagen), are often regarded as more stable. Your bird's health depends on how well it is fed. Offer fruits and vegetables in a separate dish. Some birds even enjoy a small amount of lean cooked meat, fish, egg or cheese occasionally. The mix should contain a good variety of several different seeds and grains. Offer fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Feeding Your Pet Pigeon. Dairy products should be consumed in moderation. Bottled water is a good option if there are any issues with your tap water. Many experts say that pigeon pellets are the best pigeon food because they are specifically created to meet the unique nutritional needs of your pet bird. A well balanced diet must be maintained at all times. Too often owners assume they are feeding a proper diet to their pigeon or dove when in fact they are not! Treats such as millet spray and fresh foods. This blend is ideal to use if your desire to supplement your pigeons with a moderate amount of protein. premixed bag of pigeon pellets or pigeon feed. Your veterinarian can help you assess your bird's diet and its particular needs. A good quality diet (info below) Easy clean-up floor and /or Pigeon Pants; Company (either your's or another pigeon’s) Family planning (if you have a mated pair, you need to replace real eggs w/ fake ones) Avian Vet Care if they become sick or injured; To adopt, contact Elizabeth at (415) 420-7204 Feeding pigeons and doves Palomacy recommends these elements for proper pigeon and dove nutrition: Professionally formulated, nutritionally balanced food plus a multivitamin and mineral supplement. F. M. Browns Dove, Pigeon … Always monitor the amount of food eaten every day by each bird. Wild pigeons may also eat small snails, insects, and earthworms, something that most pet pigeons don’t have access to. Placing these powders on seeds or dried foods is of little value since it will ultimately end up on the bottom of the food dish and not in the bird. If you choose a premixed bag of feed or pigeon pellets, there’s a good chance that your pigeon will get what it needs. During a pigeon’s first stage of development, baby pigeon diet should have a higher percentage of proteins than with adults. Try to stay away from items that are high in water, such as iceberg lettuce or celery, because they don’t offer much in the way of nutrition. For pigeons: For doves: Base diet (seed or pellets) Pigeons and doves do best when meal … Continue reading … If you buy a mixed pigeon food or pellet product, grains are usually included in the mix. A male pigeon is called a Cock. Seeds are likely to be the primary source of food for your pigeon. Pet Pigeon Diets. Consult your veterinarian regarding these situations. These birds also need adequate amounts of minerals and grit in their food. In addition to seeds, be sure your pet pigeon is getting some grains in its diet. You can buy commercial food for pet pigeons, which in most cases is convenient and healthy. Avocado is reported to be potentially toxic. It is important to continually strive to improve your bird's diet. In actual fact, pigeons eat almost continually. A large part of your pet’s diet will be seeds. You can supplement the pigeons regular diet with lettuce, endive, chickweed, spinach, berries, apple, and pears. Always choose healthy birds and responsible breeders. Avoid giving your pigeon bread because it’s not nutritionally sound. Phoebe used to eat Zupreem cockatiel prescribed by the vet. iceberg or head lettuce, celery) offer very little nutritional value. Too often owners assume they are feeding a proper diet to their pigeon or dove when in fact they are not! They need the right blend and amount of many nutrients to support good health, protect their immune systems, and make them happy and content birds. These protein sources contribute to a well-rounded diet and can be mimicked for a pet bird; if desired and recommended by a veterinarian. It is not necessary to take the skin off. They tend to gravitate toward seeds and grains they can find in as well as leftover food items in rubbish bins/piles. A small parrot toy with leather strips or sturdy string. The nutrient contents include protein, fat and fiber. For homing and racing pigeons, protein should be the focus because this kind of bird expends more calories than the average pigeon because it is much more active. You can mix this yourself or buy a formulated product that’s created specifically for pigeons. Some experts recommend making about half of your pigeon’s diet in the form of pellets. If your bird appears to develop a particular fancy for one food item, reduce its volume or stop feeding it temporarily to promote the eating of other foods. Proper medical care ensures that your pigeon stays healthy and lives a long life. Be sure to cut fruits into small pieces that your pigeon can pick up and chew on without danger of choking. This involves constantly educating yourself and a certain degree of common sense. Some birds will in fact have problems if grit is over eaten. Buying a Pigeon. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about what or how much your pigeon is eating. You should also add some greens to the mix. As a pet pigeon owner, it is your responsibility to maintain a well balanced nutritious diet for your pet pigeon. Some kinds of cereal are also ideal for an optimal pigeon diet. Pigeon breeders and racers use a poultry vitamin because they need a bulk type supplement. One expert suggests that a pigeon eating 50% of its diet in the form of pelleted food may not need supplements. Cut them into manageable pieces depending on the size of the bird. If you have a pet pigeon, chances are that you want to take the best care of it that you can and that starts with feeding them the right diet. But if you want to prepare food for your pet yourself, then that is even better. This is a common reason for many health problems. Also Read: What do pigeons eat in the city. All commercial pigeon foods are blends of various grains. One for fresh water, one for food mix, one for fresh foods … For that reason, try to offer your pet a variety of seeds instead of the same one all the time. You should discuss the nutrition of your pet pigeon or dove with your veterinarian! Our knowledge of bird nutrition is constantly evolving. Depending on the quality of your tap water, you might consider the use of bottled water. You should also provide some fruits and vegetables in the mix. ... You can find commercial pigeon feed in specific bird and pet stores.