Joe Dan
74 posts
Feb 12, 2008
4:32 PM
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I know there has been articles written explaining why one should not feed Chicken laying pellets to pigeons but I do not have it. Can someone shed some facts on this subject for me please? (Other than they are pigeons not chickens)
:-)
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Joe Dan Parson
Full Turn Lofts
North Texas
Last Edited by on Feb 12, 2008 4:50 PM
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sundance
444 posts
Feb 12, 2008
4:52 PM
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I thought I have seen posts where guys said they did use chicken pellets for their pigeons. Am curious myself now. I would have thought this to be ok. I know some have mentioned using game bird pellets to feed breeders.
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Butch @
Sundance Roller Lofts
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Joe Dan
75 posts
Feb 12, 2008
4:58 PM
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Me too Butch. I know I have a friend of mine who feeds them (18%) to his breeders and hasn't had a problem...and he is paying $10 a bag and I am paying $20 a bag for mine. I am feeding Purina Nutra Blend Gold which is a real good pellet...but twice as much... is twice as much any way you slice it???
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Joe Dan Parson
Full Turn Lofts
North Texas
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gabe454
234 posts
Feb 12, 2008
5:05 PM
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I feed my breeders while they have their young quik grow this feed is for baby chicks works good healthy squabs and grow quik.
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454
TRIPLE "G" LOFT
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rollerpigeon1963
221 posts
Feb 12, 2008
5:14 PM
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Joe Dan,
I replied to your post on earls but I will also post it here.
Joe Dan,
I have been feeding nutrina nature wise layer pellets for almost a year and haven't seen no problems. There is little salt in the pellets so the pigeons don't drink a lot and have runny poop. And man when they get that way it stinks to high heaven. But I have never seen it using these pellets. I was feeding them to the flyers but its so touchy with the pellets so I'm going back to the wheat and milo feeding method. I never lost a squeaker because lack of food. They pump them full of the pellets and man they do well on it. I was told about this feed from a few others who used it and liked it. But the feed store they were getting this feed quit carrying it so they couldn't get no where else. I plan on using it for my breeders from now on. I have had great success with it. And for the price its not bad at all. I think I pay 8.50 a 50.
Hope this helps
Brian Middaugh
And I know others on this list use the same feed as I do and I haven't heard anything negitive about it. I wont go back to mix grain for my breeders. They sort through it and throw out seeds and makes a mess. The pellets they don't make a mess and they have done really well on them. And I havent loss on to the cold as of yet. So this tells me they are getting what they need. So the choice is your but others will tell you on here that its been a good deal. And I'm glad I was told about it.
Brian
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RUDY..ZUPPPPP
1140 posts
Feb 12, 2008
5:23 PM
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-This is what i use to use ????????---------
RUDY PAYEN
PANCHO VILLA LOFT
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sippi
31 posts
Feb 12, 2008
6:18 PM
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every once in a while I dont get to the feed store and have to use chicken feed. I am almost afraid to go in the loft afterward for fear of being assaulted by my breeders. They dont like it at all. I use pig pellets and they will throw out the layer to get to the pig pellets. I do have to have free range guineas and peacocks and turkeys to clean up the mess. I would guess my breeders waste at least one fourth of their feed if it wasnt for the free range birds. I havent tried the Nutrena feed and it is available here so I may give it a shot.
Sippi
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chewy
62 posts
Feb 12, 2008
11:59 PM
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i have used chicken layers pellets for two years now and nothing happened to me ..... and hope nothing will happen ...plus makes the breeders so fat they can feed three squabs at a time with no problems.....plus the squabs grows so fast....just my inputs...
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glenn
97 posts
Feb 13, 2008
6:53 AM
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Hello:
Here in los Angeles, Leach Grain sells a Chicken Laying Mash pellet. I have been using it for about 15 years or so during the breeding season. I feed regular 16% pigeon mix in the off season...Glenn
Makes for healthy & happy youngsters
Last Edited by on Feb 13, 2008 6:55 AM
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Windjammer Loft
235 posts
Feb 13, 2008
8:35 AM
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Iam here in northern Ohio. I use Nature Wise Gamebird pellets. I tried several different types of pellets. After talking to Brian at a fly in Akron last yr and listening to his results, I gave them a try. I really liked the results I got. One has to adjust the amount when feeding pellets compared to regular pigeon feed. But,once you get the idea of how much to feed,its a breeze. Only thing,its like anything else,the price keeps rising little by little.
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
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crystalpalace
297 posts
Feb 13, 2008
9:17 PM
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When I lived in California Turkey crumles and baby chick crumbles were fed to my breeders. I also fed a small pigeon pellet with good results too. The best pigeon mix of 14-18 percent was fed daily also. Pigeon grit and oyster shell was used when grain was fed primarily. The diet my birds are fed in Missouri isnt the same. I travel to Kansas to buy 18 percent mixed pigeon grains. Then the remaining pigeon feed is purchased in Missouri. I feed pigeon pellets sometimes too. Keep them happy, Ray Sanchez.
Last Edited by on Feb 13, 2008 9:22 PM
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houndsandfeathers
82 posts
Feb 14, 2008
4:53 AM
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windjammer i also use the game bird and turkey grower its like 22 percent cant remember for sure but only during the laying season i just think that much and you may screw up some of the good gut bacteria if you fed it al the time
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Ontarioflyer
62 posts
Feb 14, 2008
8:05 AM
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I think this breeding season I will use chicken laying mash pellet, and see how well it work's.
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Windjammer Loft
237 posts
Feb 14, 2008
10:03 AM
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Ontarioflyer.......I also have egg laying chickens which I give them a laying mash. Their is a BIG difference between the mash and the pellets. If I understand what your sayen?
Houndsandfeather...I haven't had any problems with the pellets so far. Its been several months so far. Thanks for your concern.
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
Last Edited by on Feb 14, 2008 10:09 AM
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Scott
26 posts
Feb 16, 2008
8:35 AM
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I used pellets for years (laying) , I found the "Nutrina" to be the best by far and gave my birds dropping like grain fed.
I stayed clear of the higher protien and kept it no more than 16 0/0
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Just my Opinion
Scott
Last Edited by on Feb 16, 2008 8:36 AM
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Alohabirds
95 posts
Feb 16, 2008
9:23 AM
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As far as quantity to feed. When feeding pellets, do you have to feed more or less, or is there any difference. Just trying to figure out the economic side of this.
Thanks.
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Aloha, Dexter
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tapp
536 posts
Feb 16, 2008
4:34 PM
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I feed my breeders 19% game Breeders pellets for over three years now 365 days a year, and haven't had any problems! I give it to my kit birds now and then for a change. It's up to $10.25 for 50# bag now.---------
Tapp
Last Edited by on Feb 16, 2008 4:36 PM
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Windjammer Loft
242 posts
Feb 16, 2008
4:35 PM
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Dexter.......when I started feeding pellets I fed the same amount as I did wheat/milo or regular pigeon mix. But soon found out that the birds needed more of the pellets. I use 1 1/2 cups per 10 birds of pellets compared to 1 cup per 10 birds of the other mix. And sometimes I would add 1/4 cup of wheat or milo to the pellets also.
Fly High and Roll On
Paul
Last Edited by on Feb 16, 2008 4:37 PM
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Alohabirds
98 posts
Feb 16, 2008
6:21 PM
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Aloha Paul,
Thanks for that info. Just something for me to think about with the rising cost of feed.
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Aloha, Dexter
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Electric-man
1141 posts
Feb 16, 2008
9:40 PM
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They are easier to digest, so they move through the bird faster and therefore they get hungry sooner than they would on grain! I couldn't keep my flyers up in the air on the normal size ration, they acted like they were starving to death! They seemed to poo alot more from my experience! Didn't stay at it but about 3 or 4 weeks!
Upside: no waste!
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Val
"Site Moderator"
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Alohabirds
99 posts
Feb 17, 2008
12:09 AM
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Thanks Val,
I was thinking of using it for my breeders only. I think the squeeks will benefit from the pellets.
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Aloha, Dexter
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Double R
247 posts
Feb 17, 2008
4:25 AM
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Purina makes a 16% duck grower pellet that I use, when I can get the feed store to order them for me. The pellets are small about the size of pigeon checkers. You can really see a differance in the squabs being fed pellets.
Robby
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RUDY..ZUPPPPP
1145 posts
Feb 17, 2008
4:29 AM
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I use to use pellets and like the results......
The only dis advantage was they poo-poo alot....lol
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RUDY PAYEN
PANCHO VILLA LOFT
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Electric-man
1142 posts
Feb 17, 2008
4:42 AM
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Yes, they will! I have a seperate feeder with pellets. Some of my breeders like them. the ones that do, seems like their babies grow faster and do well! They do make some serious poo mountains, but they do well! Once I pull the babies out of the nest and start cleaning the nest site, I swear that it looks like I was raising geese! LOL
I would probably keep my breeders on it all the time, but I have to special order it and it cost me about $20/50lbs. Kind of a toss up on which is the best way to go in my situation!
Didn't care for it with the flyers though, they get about a 1:5 ratio of it with their grain!
Sounds like I might hqve to look into the duck pellets and I have also heard some doing well on hog pellets! Have to check prices and see!
Been thinking about goat pellets, noticed they are medicated to prevent cocci!
Anybody tried medicated goat pellets? Its pretty reasonable here!
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Val
"Site Moderator"
Last Edited by on Feb 17, 2008 4:48 AM
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Double R
248 posts
Feb 17, 2008
5:17 AM
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Val,
The duck pellets were 2 dollars cheaper than pigeon checkers last year.
Pigeon checkers $12.50 per 50lbs.
Duck grower pellets $10.50 per 50lbs.
Robby
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Electric-man
1143 posts
Feb 17, 2008
5:45 AM
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Thank you! I will check in to it!
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Val
"Site Moderator"
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RUDY..ZUPPPPP
GOLD MEMBER
2259 posts
Nov 07, 2008
10:13 AM
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Too much Poo-Poo with pellets..........
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RUDY PAYEN
PANCHO VILLA LOFT
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RUDY..ZUPPPPP
GOLD MEMBER
2261 posts
Nov 07, 2008
11:37 AM
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Great
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RUDY PAYEN
PANCHO VILLA LOFT
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rollerpigeon1963
273 posts
Nov 07, 2008
1:33 PM
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Guys,
I have been using pellets now for about 3 years and been having the best breeding season since using the pellets. I did find some better pellets than what I have been using. Its Triple trust 15% layer pellets. They also have a 21% pellets. But I haven't used it so far.
I found out that if you use pellets you need something with less salt. Because if you use something with a lot of salt they drink more and the more they drink the more they poop runny poop. This triple trust has 0.30% which is some of the least amount of salt in most of the feeds we have around here.
It started out at 8.25 a 50 pounds now I believe its 12.95 a 50 pounds. I have had great success feeding them pellets. They don't waste as much since they don't go looking for there favorite seed. It's a nice small brown pellet. And the squeekers are always full and healthy.
Just my experience
Brian Middaugh
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RodSD
5 posts
Nov 07, 2008
5:52 PM
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I partly feed my homers with chicken pellets and the babies do seem to grow faster. The disadvantage of using is that their poop is a little watery and that the birds seem to be hungry all the time. I think the salt on the pellets makes the birds drink more so their poop becomes loose. But they seem healthy!
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rollerpigeon1963
274 posts
Nov 07, 2008
6:27 PM
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With 0.30% salt they dont drink that much because most other feeds have 0.50% and up. So you might want to look at the tag and see how much you are giving them. This feed I'm feeding now the poop looks alot like grain fed feed.
Thanks Brian
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Pumpkin Man
22 posts
Nov 10, 2008
10:37 AM
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There's nothing wrong with pellets, they are a complete nutrition ration. Get pellets and not crumbles though because the birds like the size better than something finely ground.
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rollernewbie
221 posts
Nov 10, 2008
7:07 PM
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i also used laying pellets..but never able to find the whole ones and not crumbles..maybe im looking at the wrong places? but they do work great during breeding and squabs grow great...
RollerNewbie
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showlow
68 posts
Nov 11, 2008
6:07 AM
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Anyone using Checker pigeon chow 15% protein? It's a pellet, the breeders still toss it around, but they are starting to eat it and the squabs look fat and healthy.
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Windjammer Loft
471 posts
Nov 11, 2008
6:19 AM
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List.....thier are many many different types of pellets on the market thru out the U.S.. It all comes down to preference. They do pretty much the same. I work in a feed mill here in Ohio. And I talk to lots of guys who raise a varity of birds. And it all comes down to preference and nowadays the $$ COST $$.....
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
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Fire_Baller_916
336 posts
Nov 11, 2008
12:44 PM
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I feed my breeders meat maker #4 and haven't have any problem with them...The feed is for pigs but I guess pigeons and chicken just like eating that stuff...LOL...
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Chai_Seng
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TT
GOLD MEMBER
326 posts
Jan 19, 2009
5:07 PM
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Ok i know its a no-no giving grit with pellets, due to the salt content and runny poo, But what about Oyster Shells? Still the same?
TIA
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Windjammer Loft
667 posts
Jan 20, 2009
8:39 AM
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TT.....the oyster shell provides calcium, which they need.
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
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TT
GOLD MEMBER
327 posts
Jan 20, 2009
9:34 AM
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Paul,
Thanks
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Lipper
GOLD MEMBER
141 posts
Jan 20, 2009
1:08 PM
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Mike Trevis
The Bigger the Dream the Bigger the Leap
I feed just the laying pellets to my breeders now, and keep plain grit available. They just tend to pick at the grit now. I dont feed any oyster shell or anything like that. Laying pellets are all that is fed to laying chickens there is more than enough calcium for pigeons.
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Sunflower
GOLD MEMBER
216 posts
Jan 20, 2009
1:20 PM
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Could you give them calcium gluconate in their water rather than oyster shell? Would that solve the calcium problem without making for runny droppings? Don't know just asking. I tried the Purina gold and green pellets back when they first came out. The breeders thrived on them but I had a stinky mess in the loft so went back to grain.
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Keep em Spinning
Joe
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Lipper
GOLD MEMBER
143 posts
Jan 20, 2009
1:48 PM
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Mike Trevis
The Bigger the Dream the Bigger the Leap
Joe,
The pellets Im feeding are 16% protien, the droppings are wetter but not runny. Salt is the big problem with runny droppings, so you need to get a pellet with lower salt levels. When I feed grains to the birds, I provide a straight grit, nothing fancy. I feed the oyster shells free choice, and dont have problems like I have been reading here. A pigeon should be able to give you a couple eggs every month without problems. I dont know where all these problems are stemming from that I am reading here. I know I dont have these problems. The reason I feed the laying pellets is more for the squabs than anything else. It insures that the young are getting balanced meals all the time, rather than the parents picking through my grain mix.
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wishiwon2
127 posts
Jan 20, 2009
6:59 PM
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One other thing to think about with pellets. Because there is no 'shell case' like a whole grain has, a pellet is more suseptible to moisture contamination and mold. Its best to buy it fresh and in smaller quantities than to buy bulk and store it unless you can insure storage to keep dry.
I agree with Mike, the value in feeding pellets is for the babies, to provide a balance diet to them. Adults and kit birds dont need it. Especially with kit birds it may inhibit your ability to manipulate their performance through feed. Although, I believe some highly sucessful fliers use pellets for kit birds.
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Jon
"had fun, wish i won 2"
If it were easy, everybody would do it ...
Last Edited by on Jan 20, 2009 7:10 PM
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