Pigeon diet

Pigeon Nutrition

Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy, high-performing pigeon, whether kept as a pet, for racing, or showing. Pigeons are often fed grain-heavy diets, which can lack essential vitamins, minerals, and protein. This can lead to poor feather quality, reduced performance, and weaker immunity. While a quality grain mix remains the base for many, pellets formulated for pigeons are an excellent option if available, offering more complete and balanced nutrition. Their diet can also be supported with legumes, grit, fresh greens, and targeted supplements. Meeting their nutritional needs promotes better condition, recovery, breeding success, and long-term health.

Diet Breakdown

  • Pigeons grains

    60–70% Quality Grain Mix

    Grains form the foundation of most pigeon diets, making up 60–70% of daily intake. A high-quality mix provides essential energy, protein, and variety. Look for blends that include wheat, maize (cracked or whole), sorghum, barley (in small amounts), oats, peas, and lentils or other legumes. Peas and legumes are especially valuable for their protein content.

    For racing pigeons or birds in heavy work, a higher-energy mix with added maize or sunflower seeds may be needed to meet increased demands. Always choose clean, fresh grains and adjust proportions based on the bird’s age, activity level, and season.

  • Harrisons pellets

    20 - 30% Formulated Pellet Diets

    Pelleted diets are formulated to provide complete, balanced nutrition and help prevent the selective eating that often occurs with grain-based mixes. While not always easy to source, pigeon pellets are ideal. If unavailable, non-medicated chicken crumbles or parrot pellets can be used as a substitute, just be sure they contain appropriate levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals for pigeons.

  • budgies love parsley

    5 - 10% Fresh Herbs & Vegetables

    Fresh greens and vegetables are a great way to boost your pigeon’s intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Offer options like silverbeet, spinach, dandelion greens, broccoli, grated carrot, and safe herbs such as parsley or basil a few times a week.

    However, many pigeons, especially those raised on grain-only diets, may not take to greens right away. If your birds consistently refuse fresh vegetables, it’s worth supplementing with a high-quality avian multivitamin to help cover any nutritional gaps. Always introduce new foods slowly and monitor for interest or changes in droppings.

  • Grit (Free choice)

    Pigeons need grit to help grind and digest whole grains in their gizzard, as they don't have teeth. Offer a mix of insoluble grit (e.g. granite) and soluble grit (e.g. oyster shell or canuda shell) in a separate dish, not mixed with food or scattered on the floor. Grit should be available free-choice at all times, allowing pigeons to take only what they need.

  • Water

    Fresh, clean water should be accessible at all times. If using gravity-based water containers, these should be thoroughly cleaned daily, as bacteria and biofilm can accumulate quickly.

Supplements

Supplementation and Special Diet Needs.

Multivitamins
Even with a balanced diet, birds can miss important nutrients, especially fussy eaters. A water soluble multivitamin given 1–3 times per week helps fill nutritional gaps and support overall health.

Electrolytes
Electrolytes help pigeons stay hydrated and recover faster during periods of heat, stress, or exertion. On hot days or after racing, pigeons can quickly lose fluids and essential salts, which affects their performance and wellbeing. Adding an electrolyte supplement to their drinking water helps replace lost minerals, supports energy levels, and promotes quicker recovery. Use during extreme heat, transport, illness, or after heavy exercise for best results.

Probiotics
Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is essential for digestion, immunity, and overall well-being in pigeons. They’re especially beneficial after antibiotics, stress, racing, or illness, when the natural gut flora can be disrupted. Regular use supports better feed absorption, reduces the risk of digestive issues, and helps pigeons recover faster and stay in top condition.

Essential Oils (phytogenics)
Oregano, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde are powerful plant extracts known for their antimicrobial and gut-supportive properties. They help improve digestion, boost immunity, and reduce harmful bacteria—especially useful during stress, racing, or recovery. Products like The Good Stuff, Gallinat+ and Orego-Stim offer effective, natural alternatives to antibiotics and help maintain digestive balance and overall condition in pigeons.

Liver Support
Seed diets are high in fat and low in key nutrients, which can strain the liver over time. Support liver health by offering dark leafy greens, using bird-safe liver supplements like milk thistle, L-carnitine and providing a multivitamin rich in B vitamins and antioxidants.

PVM Powder, Mineral blocks and Calcium
Mineral bells and cuttlefish bones are great sources of calcium and essential trace minerals for budgies. They also help keep beaks healthy and trimmed. While not a complete supplement on their own, they’re a useful addition to support bone health, especially in egg-laying birds.

Tips for Pigeon Care

  • Monitor food intake daily to spot changes in appetite or health.
  • Offer fresh vegetables, herbs, fruit (in moderation) and water every day.
  • Clean all dishes daily to maintain hygiene.
  • Never assume a “no” to new food is final; persistence can help with picky eaters.

With the right dietary balance, your pigeon can not only live but truly thrive.

Pigeon Safe Foods

  • Fruit for budgies

    Fruit:

    Apples (remove seeds)

    Pears (remove seeds)

    Blueberries

    Kiwi Fruit

    Grapes (seedless)

    Oranges (small quantities due to acidity)

    Strawberries

    Mango

    Papaya

    Banana

    Cherries (remove pits)

    Watermelon (seedless)

    Rockmelon (cantaloupe)

    Honeydew Melon

    Plums (remove pits)

    Peaches (remove pits)

    Apricots (remove pits)

    Nectarines (remove pits)

    Passionfruit

  • vege for budgies

    Vegetables:

    Carrot (chopped or grated)

    Sprouts

    Spinach (in moderation)

    Kale

    Broccoli

    Silverbeet

    Pumpkin (cooked or raw, seeds removed)

    Edamame beans

    Snow pea shoots

    Zucchini

    Sweet Potato (cooked)

    Bell Peppers (all colors)

    Cucumber

    Celery (remove stringy parts)

    Beetroot (leaves and root in moderation)

    Green Beans

    Peas

  • herbs for budgies

    Herbs:

    Basil

    Coriander (Cilantro)

    Mint (any variety)

    Thyme

    Oregano

    Sage

    Dill

    Rosemary

    Lemon Balm

    Chamomile

    Chervil

    Marjoram

    Bee Balm

    Tarragon

    Fennel (leaves)

  • Weeds for budgies

    Weeds:

    Dandelion (flowers and leaves)

    Chickweed

    Plantain

    Purslane

    Nasturtium (flowers and leaves)

    Clover (moderation)

    Shepherd's Purse

    Mallow

    Lamb's Quarters

    Bittercress

    Peppergrass

    Borage (flowers and leaves)

Harmful foods

Avocado

Chocolate

Caffeine (coffee, tea, soda)

Alcohol

Onions

Garlic

Leeks

Apple seeds and fruit pits (e.g. cherry, peach, plum)

Salt Fatty or fried foods

Sugary foods

Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Mouldy or spoiled food

Rhubarb

Tomato leaves and stems

Nightshade plants

Raw or dried beans

Mushrooms

Nutmeg

Raw Cassava

Processed meats

Dairy products (in large amounts)

Pellet Diets

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