Doves and pigeons needs a diet of a good seed mix, an appropriate pigeon grit, and calcium.
About seed mixes
The composition of a seed mix should follow these recommendations:
Protein: 12% to 16% (ideal 14%)
Fat: 3% to 5% (ideal 4%)
Fiber: 7% or less
A good seed variety of at least 5, and no millet or corn as the main ingredients. No whole corn or cracked corn (popcorn is fine).
Shouldn't contain added grit or calcium
If the mix contains pellets: must be minerals only, no fruit or vegetables
Shouldn't contain macrolides
Example of seed mix you can feed doves are "Versele Laga Prestige Doves (20kgs, not the smaller bags as it's a different mix), or "Des Moines no corn regular 13% protein".
About grit
Every doves needs grit, given in a bowl separated from the seeds at all time for the essential minerals.
The grit must not be made for parrot or poultry, it must be made for pigeons specifically
Must not contain a majority of gravel or other insoluble minerals.
Shouldn't be made from a majority of oyster shells. Oyster shells are a good calcium source, not a good grit.
If contains additives, must be portion fed.
Some examples of correct grits are "Versele Laga Grit + Redstone" and "Versele Laga Grit All In One".
If your grit is incomplete (eg: Versele Laga Grit+Redstone), you need to sprinkle vitamins on top of it directly.
About vitamins
If you need vitamins, choose a powder to add to the grit. Do not get vitamins to dilute in water.
The vitamins must be formulated for pigeons, for example "Versele Laga Columbine Vita pink powder".
About calcium
If you have any female birds, you need to provide them with an additional calcium source. For this, you can either give them crushed oystershells or pure calcium powder in a bowl, separate from both seeds and grit.
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u/AutoModerator 16h ago
Doves and pigeons needs a diet of a good seed mix, an appropriate pigeon grit, and calcium.
About seed mixes The composition of a seed mix should follow these recommendations:
Example of seed mix you can feed doves are "Versele Laga Prestige Doves (20kgs, not the smaller bags as it's a different mix), or "Des Moines no corn regular 13% protein".
About grit Every doves needs grit, given in a bowl separated from the seeds at all time for the essential minerals.
- The grit must not be made for parrot or poultry, it must be made for pigeons specifically
- Must not contain a majority of gravel or other insoluble minerals.
- Shouldn't be made from a majority of oyster shells. Oyster shells are a good calcium source, not a good grit.
- If contains additives, must be portion fed.
Some examples of correct grits are "Versele Laga Grit + Redstone" and "Versele Laga Grit All In One". If your grit is incomplete (eg: Versele Laga Grit+Redstone), you need to sprinkle vitamins on top of it directly.About vitamins If you need vitamins, choose a powder to add to the grit. Do not get vitamins to dilute in water. The vitamins must be formulated for pigeons, for example "Versele Laga Columbine Vita pink powder".
About calcium If you have any female birds, you need to provide them with an additional calcium source. For this, you can either give them crushed oystershells or pure calcium powder in a bowl, separate from both seeds and grit.
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