People spoil their cats and dogs with treats, so why not spoil your pet pigeon too? Well, you may be wondering, “What kinds of treats do pigeons eat?” The first thing you can do to find out is to experiment and see what your pigeon likes. But I’ll get you started on the right track with some basic suggestions.
Bread
Bread is a good snack for both people and pigeons! However, pigeons may need you to wet their bread before eating it. Give your pigeons this treat 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 gift 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 for the squabs. 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. 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 can start eating the eggs they lay if you do. That’s a recipe for some very unhappy mommy pigeons.
Nuts and seeds
If you know a lot about caring for pet pigeons, you are already feeding them a balanced diet. Try feeding them nuts and seeds that are not in your regular seed mix. They will appreciate the change. Crush walnuts that are too large to eat whole. Pigeons love raw peanuts, but you should experiment with other nuts as well. Be sure to feed only raw, unsalted nuts and seeds. If you can’t find any without salt, just wash it in the sink.
Especially sunflower or safflower seeds.
Your pigeon will not have lived until he tastes sunflower seeds. My pigeons eat them as fast as they can and then they want more. They just can’t get enough. Make sure the seeds are salt free, salty ones can harm 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 sprouts. 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’ll be an 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 treats for pigeons until you find the right one.