How to Pick Proper Food for Homing Pigeons

Proper nutrition is essential for quality, healthy homing pigeons. It is vital to feed the pigeons the correct food and to offer the food at the right time of day. Learn how to choose food for your homing pigeons to ensure optimal health.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Understand that homing pigeons need special food that consists mostly of grains and an ample water supply. Although wild pigeons eat bread and various food scraps, domesticated homing pigeons adhere to a strict diet.

2. Boil the pigeons drinking water. Water that is boiled is purified and safe for the homing pigeons to drink. Use water containers that are at least an inch deep so the homing pigeons can suction the water out.

3. Select quality raw grains, leaves and seeds as food for your homing pigeons. Pet stores sell special mixes that cater to pigeons' nutritional needs.

4. Enhance your homing pigeons' diet during the year. During the rainy season, add ground nuts to the food to encourage the homing pigeons to molt. Incorporate high-protein foods like soybeans into their diet during breeding season.

5. Feed the homing pigeons twice per day--in the early morning hours and in the late afternoon. Include fresh water with every feeding.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose water and food containers that deter the homing pigeon from bathing in or defecating in the food and water. Ask a pet store professional for the right type of containers.
• Ground corn in food can cause a mouth disease called "cankers" in homing pigeons.
• Never leave uneaten food in the living area of the homing pigeons. Waste from defecation consumed by the pigeons could cause serious illness.
• Don't offer food to homing pigeons before a flight. This could cause pigeons to grow tired faster when they fly.