People pamper their cats and dogs with treats, so why not pamper your pet pigeon too? Well, you may be wondering, “What kind of treats do pigeons eat?” The first thing you can do to discover this is to experiment and see what your pigeon likes. But I’ll help get you started on the right track with some basic suggestions.
bread
Bread is a good snack for both people and pigeons! However, young pigeons may need you to dip the bread before eating it. Give this treat to your pigeons in moderation as it is not the most nutritious for them.
you do not have
People have mixed feelings about tuna. Some can’t get enough and others stay away. Your pet pigeon is the same way. Try giving your pigeon tuna as a treat at some point and see if he likes it.
healthy cereals
Cereals like Cheerios or Chex can be tasty for your pet pigeon. If you think the pieces are too big, grind them up. Again, you may want to dip the cereal in for the young pigeons. Obviously, stay away from sugary cereals.
a boiled egg
While it may seem strange to feed an egg to an egg-laying creature, go for it. Pet pigeons love a good boiled egg. Don’t waste it, though: feed them the eggshell, too. The shell contains calcium which is good for pigeons, especially females. Warning: avoid feeding them raw eggs. They may start eating the eggs they lay if you do. That is a recipe for some very unhappy mama pigeons.
Nuts and seeds
If you know a lot about caring for pet pigeons, you are already giving them a balanced feed. Try to feed them nuts and seeds that are not in their regular seed mix. They will appreciate the change. Crush nuts that are too large to be eaten whole. Pigeons love raw peanuts, but you should also experiment with other nuts. Be sure to feed only raw, unsalted nuts and seeds. If you can’t find anything without salt, just wash them in the sink.
Especially sunflower or safflower seeds
Your pigeon will not have lived until it tastes sunflower seeds. My pigeons gobble them up as fast as they can and then want more. They just can’t get enough. Make sure the seeds are unsalted, the salty ones can hurt your pigeon. Look in the bulk food section of the grocery store to find unsalted sunflower seeds.
vegetables
Pigeons love to eat vegetables like kale, lettuce, peas, spinach and collard greens. Experiment with a few to find exactly which ones your pet pigeon likes. However, it is safer not to feed them potatoes, some parts of a potato can be poisonous to birds.
fruits
Cut some grapes in half and they will become the all-time favorite pigeon treat. However, almost any fruit will work. This is another time when experimentation is a must.
Do not give up!
Some birds can be picky eaters, so if you don’t find what they like right away, don’t be discouraged. Keep trying different pigeon treats until you find the right one.