Informative relevant articles relating to racing pigeons.

PIGEON FEEDING MIXES

During my several visits to England I noticed the wide range of pigeon mixes that are available to fanciers both there and on the Continent. There are numerous seed companies both in Europe and the U.K. that market pigeon mixes that have been cleaned, polished and tested to ensure there is no contamination. Their presentation is superb.

There are breeder mixes which are high in protein to ensure strong and healthy youngsters are raised, racing mixes which are well balanced with peas/beans for protein & maize, wheat and barley for carbohydrates (energy) and small seed to get the birds into top form. There are also numerous  trapping mixes and depurative mixes.

Pigeon feed primarily consists of legumes (peas & beans), grain (corn, wheat, barley and also rye & oats) and seeds. The seeds basically fall into two categories i.e., cereal and oil. The cereal seeds are red dari & white dari (better known as sorghum or milo) and white millet and paddy rice. The oil seeds are linseed, safflower, sunflower and canola (rapeseed). Other seeds that can be fed for protein content are lentils, mung beans and vetch (tares) but feed only a small percentage as the latter two are toxic if fed in too large a quantity. To be on the safe side I would choose only one of these three and feed it sparingly.           

Paddy rice is a very good feed. It contains a lot of vitamin B and a high concentration of carbohydrates. Pigeons fed on rice in their diet do not develop thirst as quickly. Hemp seed is also in  many  of the European small seed mixes and the pigeons go crazy over it as it is like candy to them.  Unfortunately it is prohibited in Australia for sale but I am told that sesame seed is a very good substitute. These small seeds complement the pigeon’s feed when given in small amounts. Good health and optimal physical condition are unimaginable without them.

The grand total of proteins, carbohydrates and fats must be adjusted to meet the requirements of the bird for which it is intended. If the percentage of protein is too high, the body must get rid of the excess or poisoning will occur. This “processing” places unusual demands on many organs and brings with it the danger that they may not be able to continue their normal functions. No new cells can be built if the protein content is too low, or if certain essential proteins are lacking. Insufficient amounts of energy are liberated when the carbohydrate content of the feed is too low. If the animal ingests too many carbohydrates, the body will store the excess fat, with all the associated difficulties.

Graham Davison of the South Coast Federation in New South Wales refers to peas as “sinkers” when given in too high a quantity in racing diet. Racing mixes that contain too high a percentage of peas slow the pigeon down and similar will happen if the carbohydrate percentage is too high as they will build up too much fat. Therefore it is important to use a well balanced and properly formulated mix which is now being marketed here in Australia by several seed companies in the eastern states of Australia and are now available in Adelaide. These mixes are cleaned, polished and tested like they are in Europe. It takes all the guess work out of feeding a balanced mix and there are no concerns that you may be feeding contaminated or fumigated grain. All that is left to the fancier is to feed the correct quantity to his/her pigeons and that will depend upon the loft work rate and training resume their owner has them under.