Rock doves, also known as pigeons, can be found on all of the world's continents.You can feed them wherever you live by visiting cities and other urban areas.They enjoy being given grains, fruits, and vegetables.Feed your pigeons quality food to keep them happy and healthy and be aware of any feeding regulations in your area.
Step 1: Purchase seeds or pellet blends.
Birds eat blends of various grains.Although most people reach for bread to toss to wild pigeons, the difference is that commercial feed is raw and made out of more nutritious grain than your average hot dog bun.You can find pigeon-formulated commercial feed online or at feed stores.The ideal pigeon food is pellets because of their lack of seeds.If you can't find pellets, seed blends are fine.When buying pellet blends, check the label to make sure they are professionally-formulated.
Step 2: If you can't find pigeon food, use dove seed and pellet blends.
Both of these city-living species are from the same bird family.When pigeon food isn't available, dove food is a good substitute.It is good for pigeons.Some commercial blends are labeled as safe for both pigeons and doves because they are so similar.Dove food can be found in pet stores.
Step 3: If you don't have commercial blends, mix your own.
You can make your own pigeon food, but you need to track down several raw grains.If you want to make a basic blend, try mixing equal amounts of wheat, millet, corn, red lentils, and rice.You can find these ingredients at grocery stores or online.You can store the mix in plastic containers.You don't have to cook the ingredients.A good blend does not require a lot of preparation.Corn and rice are good for pigeons.Blending different ingredients creates a balanced food for pigeons.Blending corn and wheat with rice helps prevent birds from getting too fat.
Step 4: It's a good idea to give out bread as a snack.
Most people reach for bread when pigeons gather.Birds love bread, but the problem is that it is empty calories.It does not have any nutrition value.It can attract pests like rats and take on mold.If you are feeding wild or domesticated pigeons, stick to raw grains.Unbleached or unrefined whole wheat bread is a better choice for pigeons.Take it out of the water and make it into small pieces.
Step 5: Pigeons should be fed unsalted popcorn for a snack.
Popcorn is a good alternative to bread for pigeons because it is uncooked.You need to be careful with what you give them.Remove the butter and salt.Birds can be harmed by high amounts of salt and other ingredients.Before heating up a bag of popcorn, keep in mind that it has harmful artificial ingredients.The ingredients are listed on the label.
Step 6: Fruits and vegetables are good for you.
There are good fruit and vegetable choices.Fruits and vegetables include apples, peas, romaine lettuce, bell peppers, strawberries, and carrots.Pale greens with a high water content should not be eaten.Most fruits and vegetables are safe for pigeons.Provide your pigeons with a variety of foods to balance out their diet.
Step 7: The fruits and vegetables should be washed.
Pigeons don't mind if you leave the skin on.Some kids are more picky than others.Before cutting any piece of fruit or vegetable, rinse it off under the running water.Cherries have small stones, so be careful with them.Pigeons can swallow these stones if they are removed first.Once the pits are gone, it will be easier to cut them.
Step 8: Fruits and vegetables can be cut into bite-sized pieces.
When baby pigeons are around, chop up everything into smaller pieces.You can leave the pieces if the bird is bigger.Birds don't like full-sized fruits and vegetables.You will have a mess by the next morning.
Step 9: Birds eat 28 grams of fruits and vegetables a day.
If you are feeding pigeons at home, put the fruits and vegetables in a separate container.You will need to give each bird about 30 liters of food.Fruits and vegetables should be equal to the amount of grain you give.Throw away leftovers and reduce the amount of food you provide the next day if food goes un eaten.Fresh fruits and vegetables should be given to pigeons 3 to 4 times a week.Pigeons are similar to small children in that they may refuse to eat some food.They will eat it eventually.If you notice your pigeons don't like your favorite food, replace it with a different one.
Step 10: Grains should be Sprinkled over to help pigeons digest food.
Pigeons and other birds use the same substance.You can buy bags at feed stores.Eggshells and oyster shells can be used.Baking and smashing eggshells can be used to prepare your own grit.The amount of food you need to mix is a small amount.Grain is mixed in some quality seed or pellet mixes.You don't have to provide more shells.The label should be checked first.It's possible that using grit isn't necessary.Many feeders think their pigeons do a good job.
Step 11: If your pigeons need a supplement, put it in their drinking water.
A vet can tell you if your pigeons have deficiencies.A balanced diet of grains, fruits, and vegetables is what most birds get.If your pigeon needs extra help, you can purchase a powdered supplement online or at a feed store, and follow the manufacturer's instructions to find out how much to add to the water.Vitamins and supplements can be added to wet food but should not be applied to dry food.Egg-laying pigeons often benefit from calcium gluconate.The calcium they lose in creating the eggs is replaced by a supplement.
Step 12: It's legal to feed wild pigeons in your area.
There are pigeons in many cities around the world.There are a few regulations in place for some governments.You can walk to the park and throw out some grains without anyone looking at you.Pigeons are legal in New York City, but not in San Francisco.Feeding pigeons can make them dependent on humans.If you are feeding pigeons from a building, take care.Their droppings can cause a mess and get you into trouble with the law.
Step 13: A small amount of food can be thrown away.
Pigeons can be silly over the course of the day if many people have the same idea as you.Feeding pigeons is fine, but you don't need to give them a lot.Limit the food to no more than 28 grams of each grain blend and fruit and vegetable blend per bird.More is less.Spread the food between pigeons.Unless you bring a large bag of seed to the park, this shouldn't be a problem.Grain or pellet blends are ideal for their nutrition.Popcorn and rice are good, but bread and junk food are worse.
Step 14: Food should be provided for pigeons every couple of days.
It's a problem for everyone in your area if you give lots of free food to pigeons.Limit your feeding sessions to no more than 2 or 3 times a week.Large flocks of pigeons can be prevented from forming.Feeding pigeons is a ritual.It is understandable, but don't get too attached.Don't forget your surroundings.Pigeons gather in parks and city streets, but don't cross onto private property.
Step 15: Visit different places to feed pigeons.
Pigeons look at a meal ticket.A flock of pigeons will be waiting for you if you show up at the same bench every day.It's bad for them because they become dependent on you.If you feed pigeons frequently, change your routine to avoid dependency.It's a good idea to prevent flocks of pigeons from gathering.
Step 16: You can visit the pigeons at different times.
If possible, you should avoid going to areas at the same time each day.Pigeons are used to your routine when you show up in front of them.If you can, surprise the pigeons by going out in the morning instead of the afternoon.If you don't feed the pigeons every day, you'll be less likely to have a problem going to the same location.The begging faces can make you feel bad.Resist the urge to give them food.
Step 17: Birds should be fed in the morning.
Pigeons only need to be fed once a day.They will not eat all of the food at the same time.They don't eat it throughout the day.If you provide all of the food they need for the entire day, you don't need to do anything else.Food can be provided in a bowl or container.
Step 18: Give each bird about 28 grams of grain.
A pigeon needs two thirds of a seed or pellet mix per day.At the end of the day, your pigeon may leave a lot of food in the bowl.When figuring out how much food to provide, consider this a starting point.The estimate is per bird.Each bird should get a certain amount of food.It's possible to put all of it in a bowl.
Step 19: You can check the bowl to see how much food is left.
You can expect your pigeons to stop eating at sunset.The food should be removed from the cage at this time.Remove the bowl and dump it out.Chances are you are giving your pigeons too much food if you notice a lot of food left in the bowl.Pigeons like to pick out the best parts of their food.They like high-fat components such as safflower seeds in their blends, but if they don't eat the rest of the mix, they do not get all the vitamins and minerals they need.
Step 20: Feed your pigeons fresh food.
Every day, refresh the food bowl with a fresh grain blend.If you do it early in the morning, your pigeons will get all the vitamins they need.They should not be fed food that sat in the bowl overnight.The risk of mold and other diseases creeping into the grain is avoided by offering fresh food.
Step 21: The next day, lower the amount of grain you give the pigeons.
The goal is for your pigeons to eat all of the food by sunset.Give them a little less than you gave them the day before, by filling the bowl with your seed or pellet blend.You can check the bowl at night to see what's left.The amount of food needs to be lowered until it's all gone.Your pigeons will stay healthy without being overfed.