There isn’t anything that I do with feed that is very fancy. The feed that I give my breeders, youngsters and foster parents are basic mixed grains that can be purchased at any Feed Store. The feed is 13%-17% protein.

But, I add safflower to the feed that the young birds get. Why? The youngsters are developing their body and more important, their feathers and muscle, which need the extra protein. The muscles are beginning to become firm and protein will help make the muscles.

One of the most underrated phases of feed for the pigeons would be grit. Whether it is grey or red, grit should be in front of the birds at all times. The grit boxes are filled just about daily. Also, the birds get a generous supply of oyster shells.

You can medicate in two ways, as a preventive or on a need basis. Recently, I have changed my line of thinking about this subject. My birds were on a need basis, but after a long conversation with Jerry Gagne (owner of Foy’s Pigeon Supplies), my birds are now on a schedule. Jerry convinced me to vaccinate my birds with Quatracon 2X paratyphoid and PMV-1 vaccines. At the same time, a couple drops of Ivomec are put down their throats for the prevention of parasites. This prevention is done in December and a booster will be administered in September. Many fancier will not do this now, but when you lose a couple of your best birds, you will!!

A month before mating, the birds are given 7 days of a 4 in 1 product that is effective against Coccidiosis, Canker, E-coli and Paratyphoid. During breeding season, they will have tamed iodine, apple cider vinegar, calcium gluconate, bleach and pigeon builder added to the water.

Several times a year, I sprinkle Sevin-5 dusting powder on the perches, nests and birds. One year, I used Malathion insecticide with disastrous results. Using the proper dosage that the bottle recommended, I dipped every bird in my loft. The flying rollers were fine because they could get up to a perch. But the parlors, all huddled together when they slept and the fumes killed a lot of birds. Sevins-5 comes in a cardboard can that has holes on the top to sprinkle everywhere. Also, I use Borax 20-Mule Team in the bath water.

I think that with Feed and Medication, you have to use what feels comfortable to you. Mostly, just think of the common sense stuff. All the Master Breeders of parlors, or as far as that goes, all the breeders of pigeons, use different feed and different medications. If you find the best breeder of any breed, you will see that they have different formulas for their feeds and in most cases, medicate with a variety of drugs. There really isn’t a right or wrong way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About Me | Lofts and Loft Management | Breeding | Feeding and Medications | Conditioning
Competition | 100 Foot Parlors | Parlor Links and Information | Contact Me