Pigeons eat a lot, but not everything is healthy for them. If they are fed, attention should be paid to the right food. Here's what proper nutrition looks like.

In a nutshell

  • Pigeons require a nutrient-rich plant-based diet
  • survive two days without food
  • self-assembled food can be fed
  • drink lots of water
  • Never feed them bread

Basic foods as nutrient suppliers

The staple food of a pigeon is predominantly vegetable food, which consists mainly of grains, seeds and legumes.

Like every living creature, the pigeon (Columbidae) needs nutrients so that all organs, body processes and metabolism function optimally. Therefore, proper nutrition basically includes the following elements and foods that provide them:

carbohydrates

Cereal grains are very rich in carbohydrates. They are essential for the nutrition of the pigeons. For this reason, they should always be on the daily menu.

Pigeon feed consists mainly of grains.

The most optimal is the feeding of the following types of grain:

  • buckwheat
  • barley
  • oats
  • Corn
  • rice
  • wheat

Tip: Those who feed wheat also offer pigeon birds many vital substances such as potassium, calcium and minerals such as iron, zinc and magnesium. Corn, on the other hand, is a good source of additional fat.

protein

Proteins are of great importance for pigeons to eat. Above all, they promote muscle development and muscle regeneration after long flights and during moulting. It is best administered before or immediately after (stressful) flights. So-called legumes are ideal suppliers of protein:

  • Dried Peas
  • peanuts
  • hemp seeds
  • flaxseed grains
  • rapeseed
  • soybeans
  • sunflower seeds
Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) carries twig in its beak.

Tip: A pigeon's beak is not designed to grind or break down grains and seeds, so these are swallowed whole. Pigeon grit should therefore always be available because it helps to optimize the grinding function in the stomach.

fats

Fats are also extremely important when feeding pigeons, because they are converted into energy and also provide insulation from the cold in winter. How much fat she should eat per day depends on performance, because the higher the load, the more energy is burned. The following have a particularly high fat content:

  • peanut seeds
  • Sunflower seeds

vital substances

Vital substances are indispensable for blood circulation, the cardiovascular system, digestion and during the moult and for many other organic functions and metabolic processes. They consist primarily of minerals, trace elements and vitamins. There are so-called pecking stones that can be bought ready-made, which consist of numerous vital substances. In addition, "mixed oils" containing neutral vegetable oil, lecithin and/or fish oil can be administered.

Chickweed (left) and cress (right) are a welcome source of vital substances for pigeons.

Vitamins with herbs, vegetables and fruit can be fed particularly well to pigeons. Although there are ready-to-use vitamin mixes, not everyone always has them at home and food “from your own kitchen” is also cheaper. It is important here that a pigeon receives vitamin K1, A, D and E as well as vitamin B. It should be broken up before administration and is easy to add to grain and seed feed. Ideally suited as vitamin-rich fruit and green fodder:

  • apples
  • bananas
  • Berry
  • pears
  • lettuce
  • nettles
  • cress
  • alfalfa
  • chives
  • Chickweed

Tip: So that green fodder can be better absorbed and swallowed, it is advisable to wet it with oil or a little water. This creates better adhesion and eating is easier for the pigeon.

wintertime

When the temperatures drop in winter, resilience, nerves and healthy plumage are very important for the pigeon. A lot of sunflower seeds should definitely be fed here, as they are rich in raw fibers and healthy unsaturated fatty acids, which do not make you fat if the pigeon birds travel less.

Sunflower seeds are an important source of nutrients for pigeons in the cold season.

daily requirement

How much pigeons (should) eat per day depends on the time of year, whether they breed and, above all, on the respective load. The average daily requirement is between 25 and 40 grams. However, it must be taken into account that the birds can often eat elsewhere and therefore food that is offered may well be left lying around.

overfeeding

Overfeeding in the actual sense is not possible with a healthy pigeon, because it has a feeling of satiety. However, an unfavorable diet can above all lead to obesity and make it increasingly difficult for flying animals to fly, apart from the other negative general health risks associated with being overweight. If foreign pigeons come by to eat, you should avoid a very high-fat offer. However, wild pigeons tolerate high-fat feed in winter.

You can't really overfeed a pigeon, but you can feed it the wrong thing, e.g. bread.

Important: water!

Water must be available in the immediate vicinity of the food for each meal. Since the flying animals survive without daily food, but not without water, pigeon lovers should always offer water. 50 milliliters per day is enough for an adult pigeon. If young are there, the water requirement increases to 100 milliliters per day. Because the water can transmit diseases, it should be changed daily.

frequently asked Questions

Do pigeons eat bread?

Yes, but that should not be fed under any circumstances. It swells and, in the worst case, can even have fatal consequences for all bird species, including the Columbidae. Please keep this in mind the next time you visit the park if you want to feed swans or ducks.

Is oatmeal healthy for pigeons?

Yes and no. Oatmeal has a healthy nutritional balance, but like bread, it "sticks" and can clog the crop and cause death.

Is feeding pigeons forbidden on balconies?

There is no law prohibiting feeding pigeons on your balcony. But your landlord or the majority of owners in multi-family houses/condominiums can forbid it. The ban must be noted either in the house rules or in the rental agreement. Don't forget, however, that feeding pigeons is illegal in many public/urban spaces and violators can face heavy fines.

Is meat part of pigeon food?

Meat is definitely not one of these birds' favorite foods. But above all in the cities (wild) pigeons often do not find enough food and then when they are very hungry they also attack meat. When they are full or there is enough suitable food available, they usually leave meat lying around.

Category:

Animals in the garden