Getting the right nutrition fed.

[George and Morgan]

not been reading this post until now when i have ybs in the nest i do over feed one thing i don't do is give them maize but then my birds don't fly out

[Murray]

not been reading this post until now when i have ybs in the nest i do over feed one thing i don't do is give them maize but then my birds don't fly out

I think you are right, George. When they are feeding babies the parents need to have food in front of them all the time.
I just feed a mixture, because the pigeons know what the youngsters are demanding. it changes from small grains to lots of peas and then to a proper mixture as they grow up.
I always find it interesting watching them grow up.

[George and Morgan]

this mixture i have now Murray has no maize but lots of peas found the birds did not like the maize and would throw it over the floor now no corn is thrown out

[Murray]

Today I had some grain delivered, as i like to make my own mixture.
The feed was very good, but the wheat was exceptional. This year's harvest. Cleaned, a lovely sample of grain.
I am not a fan of wheat, it is chicken feed, but that is beautiful grain.
The birds thought so.

[Andy]

this mixture i have now Murray has no maize but lots of peas found the birds did not like the maize and would throw it over the floor now no corn is thrown out

It’s funny how you say your birds don’t like maize. It’s the grain that always goes first in my loft. I like a mix with plenty of maize.

[George and Morgan]

that is strange Andy

[Trev]

002.JPGToday I had some grain delivered, as i like to make my own mixture.
The feed was very good, but the wheat was exceptional. This year's harvest. Cleaned, a lovely sample of grain.
I am not a fan of wheat, it is chicken feed, but that is beautiful grain.
The birds thought so.

That is some lovely and clean looking wheat Muzza, nice plump grains too.
I like wheat in a mix, I think it's a good base grain to build around. The mix I was feeding (which was our friend Des Coulters recipe) contained around 40% wheat and his birds regularly scored from over 500miles, the other main ingredients were tic beans and cracked maize.
My birds get pretty much the same mix whether they are racing, breeding or moulting. I have gone for mixes with more maize in them this year as that seems to modern choice.
In the past I have found that it takes youngsters quite a while to get used to eating maize but once they start they do seem to go for that first, it's the white peas that mine seem leave.

[Murray]

I haven't seen white peas since I left NZ. They wouldn't eat them there either. They are not palatable, best used ground in pig feed.

I have never been a great fan of wheat, because often the quality of wheat you buy for bird food is second grade. Chook food.
I use 20% in my normal mix, if the wheat is good, 10% if it is old or small. This is a lovely sample of wheat, I am going to get another couple of bags and put it aside.

[Murray]

On the menu today, Curly kale, carrot and green beans.
The feedback has been positive.

[Trev]

I haven't seen white peas since I left NZ. They wouldn't eat them there either. They are not palatable, best used ground in pig feed.

I have never been a great fan of wheat, because often the quality of wheat you buy for bird food is second grade. Chook food.
I use 20% in my normal mix, if the wheat is good, 10% if it is old or small. This is a lovely sample of wheat, I am going to get another couple of bags and put it aside.

Yes I do agree with that Muzza, wheat quality is very hit and miss year on year.