Pigeon food and nutrition comes second after housing or pigeon loft.
Once the pigeons are settled in their new home they need to get fed twice a day.
There might be a lot of opinions and based on experience contradiction on this but usually the norm is twice a day feeding.
When to feed?
Its best to feed your pigeons starting in the morning when the sun comes up. For me I start feeding my pigeons around 8am. And then later in the afternoon before the sun comes down so they will still have some sunlight to see their food, probably around 6pm.
Once a day feeding will work too since not all of us can be around our beloved birds all the time since we need to be at work too! 🙂
What to feed your pigeons?
Pigeon food that contains the basic component of a good nutrition for pigeons should consist of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Each breed of pigeons has certain preference on what feed they will eat may it be due to it physical restrictions like small beaks or due to its current requirements by the status it is on. (breeding, racing, etc.)
To give your pigeons a well rounded balance diet its best to feed them pigeon pellets which almost has all the nutrients that the pigeons need. I know someone that actually feeds chicken laying pellets along with some seed grains. Also, if you are feeding your pigeons straight pigeon pellets then you don’t have to provide them with grits which is essential to your birds since they don’t have teeth or sharp beaks to grind their food. But make sure you provide plenty of water since they will drink more.
Grains
There are 3 basic grains feed that I use to maintain my roller pigeons. Red hard wheat, peas, and milo or sorghum. These combination of grains feed is not optimal for the roller pigeon’s well balance nutritional needs but it boost their protein and carbohydrates needs for the initial training and conditioning….(more to follow)
How much to feed your pigeons?
I learned from a good friend from North Texas to feed the pigeons with 1 tablespoon for each pigeon. That way they don’t get fat and lazy! I used to feed them until they don’t want to eat anymore. Apparently that is the worst you can do! Feed is the only way you can control your pigeons.
Some pigeon fanciers have they own way of feeding. I read somewhere that you should take away food that they don’t consume after 20 minutes. In my case my roller pigeons can finish thier ration in less than 10 minutes.
In the winter season you need to make some adjustment in your feeding ration. They need a little bit more to eat to keep themselves warm in the cold season. Adding an extra fat, like whole corn, in their diet would be an added plus as well.