Ok, here I go again, I have a question or if any one has an opinion on pigeon food. I went to a store where I have been getting my Pigeon food since my new arrival. They have been out of food and reason where people were buying up the food... They were suppose to get a new shipment in today, but the truck so far, has not gotten there. Well they had some other type of food and took me in the back where they keep their supplies.... and I did not buy anything.

The food is kept out on a dock with open doors and I am sure they do close these at night. What made me come up with this thought was the post on Mice and Rats.... so hopefully you will know where I am going with this..... I did notice there were a lot of outside birds flying around in the area.... and I thought well, if there are birds, their could very well be other predators..... which could contaminate the seed.... When I purchase the food there they go in the back and must bail it out of a barrel or something and they transfer it over into another bag... Normally when you buy bird seed, or other supplies,they are in a sealed bag.... so now I have a dilemma.......and some concerns. Even though I do not have a racer or homers, I still have a concern for my one pigeon....which I am sure you can understand....

Does any one have any suggestions where to buy Pigeon food and what kind of diet my pigeon should be on now, just as a pet... I do not really know that much about the seed, and if I have to buy separately, and mix it... that is fine.... but what do I buy?? I do have enough of food for at least 4-5 more days... so I do have some time....

I do give my pigeon vitamins, ACV and fresh water all which I do alternate.

Does anyone have any suggestions.???

I would like to say in advance Thank you for any suggestions, etc.

I have bought pigeon food from our local Feed Barn. Since we do have racing pigeon people in the area, they can buy in bulk. I found that there were bugs sometimes. So, I would use a colinder, shake like mad and then refrigerate. I only had Mr. Squeaks at the time and he seemed to do just fine.

THEN, I was told about Kaytee Supreme: Fortified Daily Blend for Columbres, Doves and Palomas, that I buy at PETCO. Not sure if Petsmart carries this brand or not.

Many people will make their own using various types of seeds, whole popcorn kernals, lentils, safflower seeds, split peas. On PT, I believe they have a Resource link showing what some of the seeds look like and about mixing your own. Renee and Maggie should know more about this.

I also buy Song Plus Health Blend, Ecotrition's Grains and Greens and Kaytee's Songbird mix. Again, I get them at Petco. They aren't for pigeons, per se, but I use them as treats.

Of course, having a bird store around could be helpful too.

Hope this information helps.

Love and Hugs
Shi

Carol How far away are you from Greenbelt MD?
theres a mom and pop feed store I go to thats not far from there at all
I can give you the phone number
OR
since you only have one pigeon and need food we could meet up somewhere in between us and I can give you some food for your pigeon.
I just bought a bag of pigeon food on Saturday and I can give you some until the store you go to has the food you need.

With only one pigeon, I'd go with the stuff from Petsmart or Petco.........although I hate buying ANYTHING from those stores.......sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...........you could add safflower seeds, lentils, all the stuff that Shi mentioned......that's what I would do if I only had a few birds.....those of us that feed 30 or 40 or 100 birds HAVE to buy in bulk or we'd go broke........we're about to go broke anyway........

Renee, Shi, Ed Thanks for the suggestion.s... Ed, Thank YOU ???, but I think I will go to Petco which is only about 8 miles away from me... Gosh Ed, just wish we lived a little closer... you are probably on the other end of Maryland.... but have to keep that in mind, in case we can help each other.....

I just thought about the seed on my way home from the store, and after reading the posts... really made me a bit concerned due to mice dropping and disease and especially with wild birds being in there... Actually it was probably good they were out of the seed. At present I know she/he is healthy and I would like to keep it that way for as long as I can... And especially now I have she/he inside and doing GREAT !!! Has a nice window I keep it a little open at the top for air flow doing the day and it is looking out on the porch and can see other birds out there and I put the radio on which she/he seems to really like....

Shi, Kaytee is a good brand too...You know what... I think that is the brand Kaytee that I buy and it is the Songbird Mix that I use for the outside birds.... especially because of the woodpecker.... Safflower seeds, Lentils, etc... sound good to..Also, I have my sweet poor doves that come in and the other brand would be good for them... will check tomorrow... naturally it is suppose to only get up to high of 21 degees...

Again, thanks for all of your responses... Knowing ME .... I will probably come up with something else in the future... When I read posts here it just gets my brain thinking....

Again, I will say this to ALL.... Everyone here is just such a great group.... REALLY !!!! I truly mean that too...

PS: Renee, I am still not sure if this bird is a She....behavior is snooty at times, so maybe a SHE
That was BAD.....Time will tell... Should be getting some more pictures soon....I have the old time camera, still not up to technology yet on me...

Hi Carol...

You're a very conscientious person in regards to Homie's well being, I think that is great! Your concerns are valid and I've wondered the same things too in the past. The other members here have all given you excellent advice.

Carol I buy the dove seed mix from petco, our doves won't eat the pigeon mix, then I add safflower and black sunflower seeds. 2 of the small bags will last me about 2-3 weeks and thats feeding 10 doves.

I'd suggest freezing any extra seed for 48 hrs. to kill all the little bugs that are in the seed.

Carol, I think it is great that you have reservations about that seed. I'd be leary of it too.

The Kaytee Dove Mix is really good. Like the others said, you can add other stuff like safflower, black oil sunflower, popcorn (from the grocery store), lentils, split peas. Also, we buy bags and bags and bags of finch seed - usually 8in1 Brand from Wal-mart and add that. Our pigeons love the stuff. We actually like Hartz Mtn. Finch seed best of all because it has more rape seed (pigeons devour them) but Wal-mart stopped carrying it about a year ago and I can't find it anywhere. We also buy Zupreem FruitBlend pellets for cockatiels and add that to the mixture. We also mix in plain wild bird seed because most pigeons love milo and there is a lot in that mixture.

Hope this helps.

Brad, thank you for the compliment.....but I just start thinking about things and there I was....

Robin, Great Idea about freezing.... for 48 hours... Good Idea... think I will do that...

Maggie, I did buy the Kaytee brand for Doves that Shi recommended... just gave Homie some and he went crazy eating... poor thing was eating it like he/she was starving... I found it at Petco today and I will tell you I feel better and I am sure Homie does too... Also, what you have suggested I will be looking for those items too... Hartz Mountain Finch food, I know I can get that at my local grocery store...

At least I am at a better start on this now and what I can add to her/his diet......
Again, I would like to Thank Everyone for their suggestions and Advice.....

Im glad you were able to find your pigeon some food
didnt want the poor thing to starve

Hi Ed... Thanks for the post..... me TOO !!!!

LOL!!!!
I just noticed the little emoticon of shocked you have
RIOT!!!!!

Hi Carol,

Everyone else has already said what I was going to say. I also make up my own 'pigeon mix' from the main seeds mentioned. This way, I know that the seeds are fresh, and I only make up a week or two supply at a time in a sealed container.

Lindi

Hi Lindi.... Thank you for the post....certainly do appreciate your response.. That is what I was going to do.... I want to try and get some other seeds for variety as many mentioned from Petco here...