Unconventional Tips/Advice

Talk about anything racing pigeon related here aslong as there isnt a section for it.
Andy
Posts: 6935
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:02 pm
Location: Wincanton
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Great Britain

An interesting post. I do use garlic and apple cider vinegar.
I must say that completely against what most do or say I rarely bother with grit or minerals. If I do put any down mine don’t generally seem interested in it. I don’t even really have to pay for it as I have it in the shop for cage birds or poultry. It is probably wrong of me but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. I do however put down some seaweed powder which they do seem to take especially when feeding young.
I certainly wouldn’t say it’s advice that I would give but just an observation of mine.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
NeilA
Posts: 3072
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:54 pm
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Great Britain

Andy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:34 pm An interesting post. I do use garlic and apple cider vinegar.
I must say that completely against what most do or say I rarely bother with grit or minerals. If I do put any down mine don’t generally seem interested in it. I don’t even really have to pay for it as I have it in the shop for cage birds or poultry. It is probably wrong of me but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. I do however put down some seaweed powder which they do seem to take especially when feeding young.
I tend to put a egg cup of mixed grit and mineral down after they eat to 20 birds
They eat it but I think it’s due to flavours added
The other pink mineral and spice mix I use goes on the feed
I have a horse salt lick which I think is good when you have babies in the nest particularly to keep the dropping perfect
Andy
Posts: 6935
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:02 pm
Location: Wincanton
Gender:
Great Britain

NeilA wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:40 pm
Andy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:34 pm An interesting post. I do use garlic and apple cider vinegar.
I must say that completely against what most do or say I rarely bother with grit or minerals. If I do put any down mine don’t generally seem interested in it. I don’t even really have to pay for it as I have it in the shop for cage birds or poultry. It is probably wrong of me but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. I do however put down some seaweed powder which they do seem to take especially when feeding young.
I tend to put a egg cup of mixed grit and mineral down after they eat to 20 birds
They eat it but I think it’s due to flavours added
The other pink mineral and spice mix I use goes on the feed
I have a horse salt lick which I think is good when you have babies in the nest particularly to keep the dropping perfect
The only thing I would be a bit apprehensive about with the salt lick when feeding youngsters is that it could make the birds thirsty, drinking more water, and then filling the youngsters up with more water. If you find the droppings in the nest are still good then obviously not giving you a problem Neil.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
Devo1956
Posts: 4558
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 11:37 am
Gender:
Great Britain

Good advice coming through, i am sure this will help other members.
NeilA
Posts: 3072
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:54 pm
Gender:
Great Britain

Andy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:45 pm
NeilA wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:40 pm
Andy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:34 pm An interesting post. I do use garlic and apple cider vinegar.
I must say that completely against what most do or say I rarely bother with grit or minerals. If I do put any down mine don’t generally seem interested in it. I don’t even really have to pay for it as I have it in the shop for cage birds or poultry. It is probably wrong of me but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. I do however put down some seaweed powder which they do seem to take especially when feeding young.
I tend to put a egg cup of mixed grit and mineral down after they eat to 20 birds
They eat it but I think it’s due to flavours added
The other pink mineral and spice mix I use goes on the feed
I have a horse salt lick which I think is good when you have babies in the nest particularly to keep the dropping perfect
The only thing I would be a bit apprehensive about with the salt lick when feeding youngsters is that it could make the birds thirsty, drinking more water, and then filling the youngsters up with more water. If you find the droppings in the nest are still good then obviously not giving you a problem Neil.
For some reason it works the opposite I don’t know why
If you have wet feeder and add some rock salt direct to there grub with say oil for a couple of days the dropping firm right up and the parents don’t pump water
Why it is I don’t know but the opposite way to us eating loads of salt
You don’t need a lot just a pinch on the pairs food or just use a salt lick
Andy
Posts: 6935
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:02 pm
Location: Wincanton
Gender:
Great Britain

Interesting Neil. Thank you.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
Murray
Posts: 4462
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:57 am
Location: St Arnaud Australia
Gender:
Australia

Andy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:34 pm An interesting post. I do use garlic and apple cider vinegar.
I must say that completely against what most do or say I rarely bother with grit or minerals. If I do put any down mine don’t generally seem interested in it. I don’t even really have to pay for it as I have it in the shop for cage birds or poultry. It is probably wrong of me but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. I do however put down some seaweed powder which they do seem to take especially when feeding young.
I certainly wouldn’t say it’s advice that I would give but just an observation of mine.
I use a cheap grit that I buy in 25 kg bags. It is just shell grit with some pink mineral powder in it. The pigeons are very keen on it.
I give them several scoops of it fresh every day, they really love it.
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Greetings from the land down under. :D
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
MIL
Posts: 2200
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2024 11:57 am
Gender:
Great Britain

On a Friday I'd deprive my birds of water until 60 min before basketing for the race - then put the drinker in

By doing so I knew they'd be fully hydrated before going on the transporter ;)
NeilA
Posts: 3072
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:54 pm
Gender:
Great Britain

MIL wrote: Wed Feb 19, 2025 3:06 pm On a Friday I'd deprive my birds of water until 60 min before basketing for the race - then put the drinker in

By doing so I knew they'd be fully hydrated before going on the transporter ;)
Don’t let all the tips out :D thought that was a secret
Good to see you back after your few days away
MIL
Posts: 2200
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2024 11:57 am
Gender:
Great Britain

NeilA wrote: Wed Feb 19, 2025 3:14 pm
Don’t let all the tips out :D thought that was a secret
Good to see you back after your few days away
Well, as you know with these things Neil, it's not "what you do" it's "the way that you do it"

Yea, had a lovely break away with the Wife celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary

Got a mountain of stuff to get through mind, but i'm on 12 hr nights tonight so by the time I go to bed @ 8am in the morning I'll "hopefully" be all caught up
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