Anonymous
Guest
Jul 19, 2004
8:30 AM
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First year on breeding and have a question, should I have feed avaiable in front of breeders all the time and it is ok to feed them once a day. They are all sitting on eggs now
Thanks
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
112 posts
Jul 19, 2004
8:42 AM
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First thing to keep in mind is that these are pigeons, not delicate china so you have some flexibility and either way isn't going to effect anything about the birds. They go for up to four days with no food or water when being shipped. I only feed once a day, in the evening and that includes the breeding lofts. In the breeding lofts I try to put enough in where there is always some left when I return to feed the next day. I want to make sure they always have some feed in the tray in case work keeps me past dark. It happens sometimes, but just fill up the tray and keep it that way, for breeders that is.
Brian.
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Anonymous
Guest
Jul 19, 2004
9:27 AM
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Agreed Brian, the reason I asked becuase when I feed once a day(in evening) they seem hungry and becuase of hunger they do want to sit on eggs and waiting to get fed. This problem can be eliminate if feed is make avaiable all the time not sure what would be the -ve effect as they are big eater.
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
113 posts
Jul 19, 2004
11:57 AM
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Well if they are still hungry then give them more. Say if you are giving the loft one small coffee can, then give them two and see how much is left the next day. Keep in mind that with birds on eggs, they don't eat too much, but when the babies hatch, especially after about 10 days, they will eat double as much as they were when they were on eggs. Just keep the tray full and you will be fine. Look at it like this, extra is better than empty right?..LOL>
Brian.
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spinwzrd@msn.com
Guest
Jul 19, 2004
3:58 PM
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Dont forget the fresh grit, My breeders are always looking for that as well as the feed, sometimes they wont even bother with the feed and go straight for the grit.
Good luck!
Dale
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Joe
Guest
Jul 20, 2004
1:30 AM
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I feed twice a day for 15 minutes each time for my breeders.
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Swamp Fox
Guest
Jul 20, 2004
10:35 AM
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I feed a high protein feed 16% plus to my breeders. Do you guys feed a smaller size corn to your breeders? Do you force them to clean up each day or do you feed the unwanted grains to hold-over birds or other birds to save on feed costs? I feed twice a day because the breeders seem to do the same.
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spintight
25 posts
Jul 20, 2004
10:13 PM
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I only feed once a day here, they get more then enough and I often find extra in my feed trays the next day.
I use a 19% with no popcorn here, they don't like popcorn or the canada peas for some reason, the wheat is also not their favorite unless you make them eat it.
I have 2 foot long trays with plexiglass fronts on each side of it with 1 1/2" holes in each side. It's difficult to kick the smaller seed out but the peas and the very little corn in there gets kicked out.
Under these feed trays I have a larger box with 1" square wire on top of it, it is made in such a way so the top come off, it is made from 1x4's and is 4" deep. There is about 6" all the way around it so if they kick some out, 85% of the time it falls inside this feed catcher. This box holds about 20 lbs of feed I'd say if you let it fill all the way up?
The 19% mix I use doesn't have milo at all in it so I add some milo to it and about 60% milo to the kit birds mix. I don't feed wheat and milo 50/50 like some do. I found the feathers were more brittle when I fed like this.
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Swamp Fox
Guest
Jul 21, 2004
6:12 AM
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Spintight,
I am thinking about feeding pellets to my breeders next season. Seems like they would waste less of this and you can make sure they get a balanced diet all the time. What do you think? Anyone else got any advice on this?
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spinnerpigeon
1 post
Jul 21, 2004
8:21 AM
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Swamp Fox,
I fed my breeders straight pellets this year , the youngsters are looking good. I like feeding straight pellets so the birds dont just pick out their favortie grain. This way they get a balanced diet.
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Siddiqir
63 posts
Jul 21, 2004
8:50 AM
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I think it is better to feed breeders pellets. No need to worry about grit and vitamins and they can instantly feed youngsters. I see more advantage using pellets. My plan is to feed breeders with pellets next year
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Birmingham Rollers
Last Edited by Siddiqir on Jul 21, 2004 8:53 AM
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fhtfire
19 posts
Jul 21, 2004
11:16 AM
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Well, I mix my own feed into a big garbage can for my breeders. I put 3 coffee cans wheat, 3 coffee cans milo, 2 coffee cans of 28% pigeon pellets(all vegetable) and about a half can of sauflower. I mix this up and then add the above again, then mix and add until the garbage can is full. I feed the breeders twice a day, morning and evening. My young birds are very healthy and strong. Have not lost young bird all season. The wheat and milo keep the poop firm. I always keep the water fresh.
Paul Fullerton
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