Pigeons

[lollypop6_6_]

Is it true you can kill a pigeon by feeding it rice? if so then why?

[nickmo]

Urban myth number 488876. Load of whoosh. Partly comes from the idea that rice swells and so bursts the bird - corn, lentil, split pea - loads of things will absorb water and increase in size, partly as a lot of birds drink straight after eating then again an hour or so later as well. So what do birds in rice growing areas of the world eat then when it is the main crop and easily available?

RSPB sugggest avoid bird seed mixes with the rice/lentil ingredients as these are really only suited to larger birds - not small garden birds, but there are no basics in fact for the exploding bird stuff.

Extract from a racing pigeon fanciers site, pigeonbasics, may be of interest:

There are certain other kinds of corn which the birds require occasionally. Linseed is a valuable source of vitamins, and my birds get a small amount of this after their evening feed, once or twice a week. On race days in the summer, I use a mixture of seeds as a trapping mixture and tit-bit. This is made up of hemp, linseed, groats, rice and safflower seed, in approximately equal proportions. Pigeons love this, especially the hemp!'

[SBell2406]

What about baking soda?

Not that i want to kill any pigeons, I'm quite partial to the!

[pagey]

Pigeons are percieved as pathetic yet stand so proud. I love them for that.