What to feed pigeons? Domestic pigeons: maintenance, care

Very beautiful and tender birds - pigeons, domesticated them for a long time. Everyone knows that in ancient times, when the postmen were not in sight, their work was done by mail pigeons, which were able to deliver messages over long distances. Birds at the same time never forgot the way. Natural delivery of mail used by such famous historical figures as Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan and others. The maintenance and breeding of pigeons is practiced by all peoples, in all countries these birds enjoy universal love. The most developed golubovodstvo in China and India, a little later to these countries joined the Northern and Central Europe. Behind these birds is a very simple care, and the feeding of pigeons also does not present any special difficulties for the poultry farmer. Some rules and conditions for the maintenance of beautiful feathered creatures, of course, there are, but for the sake of such home beauty it is worthwhile to make small efforts and learn the secrets of the treatment of gentle pets.

Beautiful birds - doves homemade

The white dove has long been considered a symbol of peace, prosperity and love. A man who, at least once, has come in contact with beautiful birds, will not be able to forget these wonderful impressions. Pigeons can simply bewitch their delicate appearance, ease of flight and romantic cooing.

In the modern world, the maintenance of pigeons for breeding, training and participation in competitions is becoming increasingly popular. The variety of all kinds of rocks amazes with its beauty. Feeding domestic pigeons, caring for them, preventing diseases - all these issues are very interesting for beginners in the business of breeding ornamental birds. Now it is easy to learn such information, the main thing is to observe all the rules so that feathered pets do not suffer from improper handling.

Some people are enthusiastically engaged in breeding work, bringing out new colors of feathering birds, others are bred pigeons for the sake of participating in sports competitions, but there are also such amateurs for whom simply to communicate with such beauty is pleasure and relaxation. Unites all golubovodov great love for heavenly creatures, which cause only positive emotions.

In what conditions should pigeons be kept?

Pigeons are homemade, like their wild counterparts always keep flocks, they just need contact with their own kind. Naturally, a certain relationship is established between the members of the pigeon family. The area of the pigeon and the enclosure is strictly divided into nesting areas, in the center of each of them is the nest itself. The male protects his territory and his female. Together birds eat food, drink water and sit down for the night.

Proceeding from the above, each pigeon must seriously approach how to keep feathered pets, and how to feed domestic pigeons. Every day, watching the flock, it is necessary to establish which part of the pigeon house belongs to, where the youth can rest, and where the birds of the lowest rank. Very rarely, if necessary, it is possible to rearrange the nest box, it is also undesirable to replace one pair with another very often. Such actions are always accompanied by stress for pigeons, because in the pack a hierarchy is established, into which a man is so roughly intrusive.

If the birds are kept in a calm environment, then they behave similarly. They give the best results in sports and from the best sides show themselves in cages at contests and exhibitions.

Still need to know how and what to feed the pigeons in order to teach them to themselves. It is necessary to ensure that the birds are not afraid to take food from their hands and react calmly to cleaning the pigeon. The very first rule to be met is to come to your pets in the same clothes. The second is to regularly feed them with your favorite delicacy - sunflower seeds. First, the seeds simply fall into the feeder, after a while they can be scattered around yourself, then gently try to feed from the open palm.

If it is necessary to catch one or another pigeon, then it is not recommended to do it in the daytime. The best time for this is twilight. If there was a need for catch in daylight, then the room should be darkened.

Care of domestic pigeons

To feathered domestic pets feel comfortable, they need proper care. In the house for pigeons you need to regularly remove the litter. Especially in need of frequent cleaning of the nest with chicks and young. Growing birds leave a lot of litter after themselves. Also, the poultryman must know that the eggs in the clutch must be clean. If the testicle is at least partially contaminated, then the shell in these places will not let in air, and the embryo can suffer from this. Easy cleaning should be done daily, thorough - once a week, general - 2 times a year, in spring and autumn in a warm time.

Every day we need to inspect our pets. Such a procedure is performed during feeding. If the bird with health is all right, then it quickly flies to the stern and eats with appetite. Ill doves peck poorly or do not approach the stern and sit aside, covering their eyes and pulling their heads into their shoulders. The diseased birds should be immediately isolated.

Very often poultry balls are formed on the claws of birds, which make it difficult for them to move. Such pigeons are picked up and gently removed from their claws by these lumps.
In addition to proper care, winged pets need vitamins. Still very important is the use of feed for pigeons in this or that period of their life.

Feeding in the winter months

Every dove should know what to feed pigeons in the winter. It begins in October, when the birds stop carrying eggs. It is from this point on that they need to feed them grain with a moderate protein content. This is done so that there is no sexual arousal.

It is also necessary that the fodder promote the formation of subcutaneous fat. This will help the pigeons maintain their internal heat and serve as the starting material for building down and feathers when the molt time comes.

Proceeding from the above facts, we come to the conclusion that in winter the best food for pigeons is a mixture of barley with collapsed oats (70% / 30%). Another mixture of barley, oats, crushed maize and lentils (40% / 40% / 10% / 10%) is also excellent. Useful in cold weather for feathered handsome people, peeled and boiled potatoes in salt water. To it it is recommended to add clover flour, wheat bran and crushed lime.

In a day, as a fertilizer give seeds of flax and rape, 15 pairs of about 45 grams.

Breastfeeding

What to feed pigeons in the breeding season? This question necessarily needs to know the answer. After all at this time, birds need special attention. They should eat foods that are rich in minerals and protein. If the pigeons feel the deficit of the latter in the mating season, this can lead to a decrease in the reproductive function and vitality of the dove.

The best food at this time are legumes. It is from them that the feathery diet should be more. Beans are bulky fodders, with their help birds quickly become saturated. Required in the menu of pigeons during the mating season includes peas. Recommended feed mixtures are:

1. Peas - 20%, vetch - 10%, wheat - 10%, millet - 20%, barley - 20%, corn - 10%, oats - 10%;
2. Vetch - 20%, maize - 20%, wheat - 15%, millet - 10%, peas - 15%, barley - 10%, seeds of oilseeds - 10%.

How and what to feed the young?

Another important point in pigeon breeding is the question of how to feed the pigeon pigeon at home. Leaned off from the parents of babies in the first weeks in need of increased feeding. Only when the iris of the eyes of the young will become the same color as that of the parents, portions of food can be reduced. Young people are fed three times a day. In the morning and at lunch - small portions, and in the evening the chicks get the bulk of the daily rate.

It is recommended to moisten the grain with fish oil, at least a few drops. To ensure that the chicks do not lag behind in growth, they are fed large quantities of wheat, adding to it a little wiki, barley and peas. When young people already fly, gathering in flocks, wheat can be given in smaller quantities, replacing it with peas and vetch.

Vitamins for pigeons

Like all living creatures, birds need useful additives to the main food. Vitamins for pigeons should be given on the basis of how much weight of birds, what state of health, what physical activities are expected to be feathered. In addition, the life cycle period is taken into account: growth, moulting, egg formation, feeding of chicks.

Sports pigeons are essential additives. Feathered athletes are recommended multivitamins in the form of dragees, you can also dissolve them in drinking water. You need to give before and after the competition. In winter and under stressful situations, vitamins for birds are necessary.

What is not allowed to feed pigeons

Than to feed pigeons it is impossible, that birds did not fall ill and did not perish:

• fish contains a lot of easily digestible phosphorus, pigeons can not process it;
• the poultry organism can not digest meat products, after consumption of meat it may die;
• pigeons in the body have few sour-milk bacteria, if you give them milk, then this can lead to calcium loss and dysbacteriosis;
• Cheese contains a lot of preservatives and fat, for birds they are contraindicated;
• The most forbidden product for pigeons is bread, especially black. The fact is that it causes fermentation in the stomach, which can lead to digestive problems.

Interesting facts about pigeons

• Did you know that pigeons have a unique vision? They are not able to blind the sun, or bright glare from the electric welding machine. Even the flashes of lasers do not harm the retina of the pigeon eye. • In the 11th and 12th centuries, when there were no phones or mail, the pigeon was priced at the same price as a thoroughbred stallion.
• In ancient times, the pigeon was considered a totemic animal, which patronized man. In Australia, the bird favored only women.
• Christians consider pigeons to be birds of God. In ancient times, they were placed in the graves of martyrs as a symbol of resurrection.