Appetite In Cold Weather.

[Guest geordiejen]

hi guys since the past week its been below zero and the birds seem to need a little more seed.since the birds are not out so often what would your advice be on feeding a wee bit extra?will the cold keep the weight off or do you think the birds need a bit more seed to keep the body temperature up?

[geordie1234]

hi guys since the past week its been below zero and the birds seem to need a little more seed.since the birds are not out so often what would your advice be on feeding a wee bit extra?will the cold keep the weight off or do you think the birds need a bit more seed to keep the body temperature up?

I have increased the feed because the doos were not leaving much so put more down for them I always feed until they leave some was only told to do it this way. wouldnt like the idea of a doo no had it's fair share and hungary

[Wiley]

No extra food but we will increase the carb content of the feed, as we feel carbs play an important role in increasing body temperature

[Guest geordiejen]

wiley what seeds has a high carb?

[Delboy]

I have increased the feed because the doos were not leaving much so put more down for them I always feed until they leave some was only told to do it this way. wouldnt like the idea of a doo no had it's fair share and hungary

 

 

Spot on, even athletes put an extra few pounds on in the winter.Its called survival of the fattest in the animal/bird kingdom.

[geordie1234]

Spot on, even athletes put an extra few pounds on in the winter.Its called survival of the fattest in the animal/bird kingdom.

Correct that's how I've stuck on a stone or two

[Wiley]

wiley what seeds has a high carb?

 

We add more maize and linseed to the mixture but our mix in the winter contains a lot of barley also which is rich in carbs

[Wiley]

You could in theory give them a red band type mix, or anything that contained wheat, red and White Dari, canary seed, linseed, Oats, To increase the carb content of your mix also.

[Guest IB]

Unsure if there is a need to increase birds food during cold spells. Used to do it and always ended up with a weight problem. Also unsure on my thinking, but if the following info applies generally to birds it must also be true for our pigeons too: during colder weather birds tend to perch for longer periods, activity goes right down and this conserves energy. Also birds metabolism rate drops in line with every 1 degree fall in temperature, so they need to eat less often, and what little food they do eat satisfies their body needs for much longer.

[geordie1234]

When it's freezing I've noticed my pigeons eat more this tells me pigeons need more.

 

Weight problems can be sorted in jig time if need be

 

only my opinion just think some fanciers over complicate things when no need to

[Wiley]

When it's freezing I've noticed my pigeons eat more this tells me pigeons need more.

 

Weight problems can be sorted in jig time if need be

 

only my opinion just think some fanciers over complicate things when no need to

 

Geordie, I'm guessing you feed until the birds start to leave barley? As if your grains are measured per bird you wouldn't know your birds ate more? If you do feed they way I think you do, your birds should never have a weight problem or over eat.

[geordie1234]

Geordie, I'm guessing you feed until the birds start to leave barley? As if your grains are measured per bird you wouldn't know your birds ate more? If you do feed they way I think you do, your birds should never have a weight problem or over eat.

Just now I am feeding only all rounder no barley in sight they will get 100% barley on boxing day for a week or two to bring the weight down if need be

[geordie1234]

Just now I am feeding only all rounder no barley in sight they will get 100% barley on boxing day for a week or two to bring the weight down if need be

I do put the same amount down everyday because I know how much they eat of it if they eat it all i put a wee bit more down until they leave some