mario
GOLD MEMBER
361 posts
Apr 06, 2009
6:27 AM
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Hi Guys
what is the best feed to fly birds ....
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nicksiders
GOLD MEMBER
3371 posts
Apr 06, 2009
6:54 AM
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There are many good feeds either it be a grain mixture or pellets. As grains go I would recommend that you mix your own which allows you to change as the weather changes and the condition of your birds change. I find that the following individual grains will do this for you: Wheat; Milo; Austrian peas (sometimes called winter peas); and safflower. Many guys are into the pellets. Pellets can give you all of the nutriants when the manufactor adds vitamins and minerals to the pellet manufactoring process. They can also be boosted or cut with grains. The grain feeder adds vitamins and minerals usually via drinking water. It is all about preference and costs in making that choice.
You will probably get a lot of varying answers and they all will be right.
Also keep in mind that the most protien your birds can use is 16%. So if you are mixing or buying a mix the gives you more than 16% protien you are over buying and wasting what you are trying to accomplish.
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Just My Take On Things
Nick Siders
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Tony Chavarria
Site Publisher
3217 posts
Apr 06, 2009
7:11 AM
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Mario, I would just add to Nicks comments and say that feeding young kit birds will be a bit different from an old bird team. What I have found is that an old bird team needs allot less feed to sustain performance whereas a young bird team will need much more.
What a young bird team will eat and be enough for them will be overfeeding the old bird team.
For me, I like my young bird teams to start with what I call pigeon pop, an assortment of several grains, check with a local feed store. I want them to have a well rounded proportion of feed so that they can continue to grow, develop body mass including muscle through regular flying. At this early point in their lives, I am not feeding for the roll, just want them to get as much airtime before about 6 months of age. Like Nick said, protein is vital, but less is needed than what they should get in the nest.
As for a typical older bird team, its 50/50 wheat/milo (or variations thereof). When the temperature drops suddenly like it has hear the last day or two, I give them a bit more of the normal ration. If the cold is going to last, they are going to get some corn added.
The key is to balance the kind of feed mixes, the amounts given and if you are either maintenance flying or preparing for increased action to demonstrate the birds abilities. Hope this is helpful.
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FLY ON! Tony Chavarria
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mario
GOLD MEMBER
363 posts
Apr 07, 2009
8:50 PM
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thanks Nick and Tony ...
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Chris Thompson
6 posts
Apr 08, 2009
7:00 PM
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Mario, I believe that each breed differs on what type of feed is going to do best for them. With my line of birds my babies are on 13% pigeon food until they have matured. Once they mature, I put them on 50% wheat and 50% milo.
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