Can Pigeons Eat Nuts?
Nuts are like superfoods as they contain a lot of vital nutrients. But can pigeons eat nuts?
Pigeons can eat nuts and it’s an important part of their diet as nuts can provide them with protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
And these things are essential for the growth of pigeons, especially the racing ones, as nuts help to improve their flying ability. But some nuts can be bad for pigeon health.
So, let’s learn about the types of nuts, what you should consider while feeding nuts to the pigeons, and other related important info.
Looking for more articles about pigeon food:
Do Pigeons Like Eating Nuts?
Broadly speaking, pigeons like eating nuts. Yes, some pigeons may not like to consume nuts, but most do. And even those who don’t like peanuts initially, they often begin to like the nuts eventually.
Though research on the pigeon diet is relatively new, and these studies are quite hard to interpret, from observing the pigeons, it can be safely said that most of the pigeons enjoy eating nuts.
To be fair, most pigeons basically eat anything. That’s why it’s so tough to find out the foods they like.
When I tried mixed seeds with my pigeons, it had nuts in it. In the beginning, they had a hard time figuring out what to do with them as most couldn’t crack the nuts open.
So, they would take it in their mouth, keep it there for a while, and spit it out after a few moments.
After a few days, they became good at eating the nuts. And now, nuts are their absolute favorites and they often ignore other seeds to eat nuts first.
Some of the pigeons spit out the shells and eat the inside only. But as long as they’re eating the nuts, you should be happy.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Foods and Diet” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
What Types of Nuts Are Suitable for Pigeons to Eat?
Pigeons can eat most types of nuts. These are some of the kinds of nuts that are ideal for pigeons –
Acorns
Pigeons enjoy acorns quite a lot and it can be an important source of nutrients for them.
Peanuts
It’s a common food for pigeons and well-liked by them as well. It offers them a good amount of fat and protein.
Almonds
Another favorite item of pigeons. But pigeons that have small and short beaks may find it difficult to eat them.
Beechnuts
Wild pigeons are often seen eating beechnuts. However, homing pigeons aren’t huge fans of beechnuts.
Walnuts
It has a bit of a unique taste and can be eaten by the pigeons. It’s also a good source of protein and fat for pigeons.
Cashews
Pigeons eat cashews, but the amount of fat can be high in them. So, make sure the portion of cashews is not too high.
Nutritious Benefits of Nuts for Pigeons
Nuts can be a great source of nutrients for pigeons. Most nuts are high in good fats and low in saturated fat. Also, they’re an amazing source of dietary protein.
These are vital for pigeons to remain healthy and also facilitate them to increase their flying power.
Peanuts have nutrients that help pigeons to make the liver function of the pigeons more efficient and also help with maintaining their weight.
Nuts are free of dietary cholesterol, so there’s no risk of increasing cholesterol. Being rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants also make nuts a valuable food for pigeons.
What About vitamins and Minerals?
You can find E6, niacin, B6, and folate vitamins in nuts and minerals like zinc, magnesium, and calcium that make nuts a vital food element for pigeons.
Apart from all that, nuts also provide a lot of energy to the pigeons, which can help them keep warm in winter.
Are There Any Risks to Feeding Pigeons Nuts?
Yes, there are some risks to feeding pigeon nuts, but they can be easily managed.
You have to make sure that the nuts are either raw or roasted. Plus, you can’t give them salted nuts, even if they seem to like them more. Because salted nuts can dehydrate the pigeons quickly.
Also, the salted nuts aren’t good for their heart health.
Another thing you have to keep in mind is the size of the nuts. Most pigeons have a small and short beak and if the nut size is bigger, they can choke on it, or the beak might get damaged.
Normally, they can easily eat peanuts as their size is small. But if you want to give them different kinds of nuts, and they’re big in size, you can crack or crush them in small sizes and then feed the pigeons.
Also, it’s important the sizes are similar. If the sizes are irregular, pigeons can find it tough to swallow them, which can also lead to choking sometimes.
And if you’re not sure of your pigeon’s ability to eat nuts safely, observe them while eating the nuts, and if you see them struggling, replace the nuts with something else.
Are There Any Nuts that Pigeons Should Avoid?
Here are some types of nuts that you should avoid
Nuts with Shells
Most pigeons will struggle with breaking the shells of the nuts. So, it’s better if you avoid those nuts, or you can break the shells and then feed the pigeons.
Nuts with Mold
Moldy nuts can cause aspergillosis in pigeons, which is a fatal disease. So, you should avoid the nuts if you see molds growing on them.
Big Nuts as Whole
Big nuts like walnuts can’t be consumed by pigeons as a whole. If you want to feed them to the pigeons, crack or crush them into consumable pieces.
Salted Nuts
Salted nuts should be avoided as it’s harmful to the heart and dehydrate pigeons.
How to Prepare Nuts for Pigeons?
First, you need to decide what kind of nuts you want to feed to the pigeons. Normally, I’d go for peanuts as they’re high in nutrients and minerals and also small enough for easy consumption.
If you think your chosen nuts are a bit big for the beaks of the pigeon, crush them or cut them into small pieces.
Make sure they aren’t salted or seasoned. Check if molds are growing on them. If you see any mold, you have to throw the nuts away as they are unsuitable for pigeon feeding.
Once you’re certain of the quality of the nuts, you can feed them to the pigeons.
But make sure you don’t give them too many nuts as they’re high-calorie food items and need to be balanced with other things like vegetables and grains.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Can pigeons eat almond nuts?
Yes, pigeons can eat almonds and they usually like to eat almonds. And you should feed them to your pigeons because they’re high in fat and protein and very healthy for pigeons.
02. Can pigeons eat cashews?
Yes, but they need to be cut into small pieces as pigeons are unable to chew. Cashews contain a variety of important amino acids that can be very beneficial for pigeon health.
03. Can Pigeons Eat Peanuts?
Yes, and it’s the most common type of nuts fed to pigeons. It’s the safest kind of nut for pigeons.
Conclusion
Pigeons can enjoy nuts and it’s beneficial for their health as nuts come with lots of necessary nutrients.
But it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers while feeding pigeons nuts as you need to avoid salted, big-sized, and moldy nuts. If you are careful with choosing nuts, they can be the best food for your pigeons.
References
- https://www.belgicadeweerd.com/en/aspergillosis-in-pigeons
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/nuts-and-seeds
- https://www.safeguardpestcontrol.co.uk/what-do-pigeons-eat
