BOKHARA TRUMPETERS
CLAUS HIRSCH JENSEN
A life long passion
FEEDING YOUR PIGEONS
This is a somewhat difficult subject to touch on as we live in different parts of the world and the feed supplement options are somewhat varied.
I will still try, you might get some useful hints
I am fortunate to live in northern Europe where many of the worlds leading animal feeding specialists are located and can gain from their knowledge and products. If the cost of feeding is a worry to you, you better keep fewer birds and feed them better. I have seen people spend 1000s on birds, yet feeding the shittiest cheapest grain they could come by, in order to save a few $ $. Let me tell you, it makes no sense, nor does it pay in the long run.
You must be able to trust your feed supplier and the nutritional values they provide. As a comsumer you have no other options. Same can be for the 100s of various supplements. We have to assume they provide correct information.
Below I will go thru my feeding schedule and the products which work here. I have tried many and skipped almost just as many.
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THE BASIC MIXTURE
I have a very good experience using the feed of Matador, Germany.
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THE FEED FOR THE FEEDERS ( AND OTHER FANCY BIRDS RAISING THEIR OWN YOUNG) DURING BREEDING
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Their Premium Super Breeding mixture is one of the most costly at the market, but it is also one of the best in my opinion. This feed is my base mixture in the breeding season for all my pigeons.
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The nutritional content is:
Crude protein: 16,3%
Absorbable protein 8,75%
Crude fat: 12,0%
Carbohydrates: 49,9%
Kcal: 3536
Crude fiber: 7,4%
Omega ratio: 2,8 : 1
This is as close to perfect as you can get for feeding breeding pigeons. As you can see the fat content is quite high and the absorbable protein too. When judging protein, this is what you must look for. Less than 6% you will get miserable young.
The photo above this mixture.
I do add around 5% of barley and 2% of milk thistle seed.
When we get to around early May I find that the Premium Super Breeding seems somewhat too heavy for them as they begin to leave behind certain grains. Assume the increased outside temperature suggests to the birds they no longer need as many fats.
My solution has been adding a simple short face mixture and 5% of wheat.
My feeders never get fed again before the tray is completely empty, When days get longer I attempt to feed the feeders small portions as I possibly can, often the last feeding at 2100 at night.
THE FEED FOR THE BOKHARAS DURING BREEDING
The Bokharas do not raise young and the protein level in the Super Breeding Mixture is too high I think. The hens need the fat for laying eggs, though
My solution has been using Matador Premium Olympia breeding, which is close but not quite as ideal as the Super Breeding Mixture. The Bokharas gets 5% barley and 5% wheat added as well as 2% Milkthistle during breeding.
You can visit Matador below
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SUPPPLEMENTS DURING THE YEAR
All pigons feeders, breeders, young birds get excactly the same treatment. Only my Racing Homers for flying get a different treatment.
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FEED SUPPLEMENTS ALL FANCY BIRDS/FEEDERS
Available at all times and renewed every 2nd day if not all eaten:
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- Backs Mineral Menu ( You will be amazed how much your feeders will eat)
- Grit , from May I add extra red stone as they seem to need it
Served over the feed every 3rd day :
- Dosto Oregano Oil
- Dosto Oregano Powder
- Vispumin
The feed is first mixed with the oil, the dried out with the powders. I use so much Vispumin that it can be served readily after it's been made
WATER ADDITIVES FEEDERS AND ADULT FANCY BIRDS
- Every 3rd day Dosto Liquid Oregano
- All other days Farm One Acid 8 ml/L water
WATER ADDITIVES FOR YOUNG BIRDS
- Every 3rd day Dosto Liquid Oregano
- All other days Med Tollyamin Forte, Quick, Ph Control, Dosto Ropadeno
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I got much faith in the knowledge of Vet Schroeder Tollisan.
I recommend you visit their website below.
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At some point in the early moult for the Fancy pigeons the minerals are changed to Rassetauben Mineral fra Backs as this mixture is grey, thus the risk of miscolored roses and chains (on the Jacobins) gets minimalized. Other than that the program is kept up. Important is it to use A LOT of Vispuming as to avoid oil from the feed on the feathers.
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