What is the best type of feeder for pigeons?

A covered hopper or trough-style feeder generally works better than an open tray, since pigeons readily scatter and stand in loose feed, wasting it and soiling what remains. A design with a narrow access lip reduces both problems and typically needs refilling less often.

How do I stop pigeon feed getting damp?

Use a feeder with a roof or lid rather than relying on the loft's shelter alone, and check the design sheds rain away from the feeding opening rather than letting it pool there. Damp grain is prone to mould, which is a genuine health risk if eaten.

Should grit be mixed in with pigeon feed?

No — grit should be offered in its own separate container rather than mixed into the grain, so birds can access it as needed. Pigeons, like other birds, rely on grit to grind food properly since they have no teeth.

How many feeding points does a pigeon loft need?

For a loft housing several birds, more than one feeding point spread around the space helps reduce competition and bullying around a single feeder, and generally makes for calmer, more even feeding across the flock.

Pigeon feeders

Feeders for kept pigeons — racing, fancy or utility breeds — need to hold a reasonably large volume of grain or mixed corn, keep it dry, and limit how much birds can waste by scratching or standing in it. A hopper-style or trough feeder with a lip or lid tends to work better for pigeons than an open tray, simply because of how enthusiastically a flock will pile into an open feed source.

Why an open tray usually goes wrong

Pigeons kept in any numbers will readily stand in and scatter feed from an open, flat tray, wasting a noticeable amount of grain and soiling what is left with droppings. A covered hopper or trough feeder with a narrow access lip reduces both problems considerably and tends to need refilling less often as a result.

For a loft with several birds, more than one feeding point spread around the space also reduces competition and the bullying that can happen around a single feeder.

Keeping feed dry matters more outdoors

Grain and mixed corn that gets damp is prone to mould, which is a genuine health risk if eaten, so an outdoor feeder needs a roof or lid rather than relying on the loft's own shelter. Check any hopper-style feeder for a design that sheds rain rather than collecting it around the feeding lip.

Cleaning the feeder out fully on a regular schedule, rather than simply topping up on top of old feed, prevents a build-up of stale grain and droppings in the base.

Grit still needs a separate container

Like other birds, pigeons need grit to digest food properly and cannot get it from the same hopper as their grain, since the two need to stay separate for birds to access grit as needed rather than incidentally with every mouthful of feed.

A shallow, wall-mounted grit hopper positioned away from the main feeder works well for most lofts, since it keeps grit dry and accessible without birds standing in it the way they might with an open tray. Mineral grit sold specifically for pigeons often includes a small amount of charcoal and red mineral alongside the grinding stone, which many keepers offer as a separate mix again rather than folding into the plain flint or granite grit — check what a particular product actually contains rather than assuming all pigeon grit serves exactly the same purpose. Refilling little and often keeps it from going stale or damp in the same way grain does.

What we stock

Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.

AviSolve Oral - Ivermectin Mite Treatment Anti-Parasite - Pigeons

An oral ivermectin-based mite, lice and worm treatment for pigeons, 125ml bottle

£19.99

Feathers & Beaky Chicken Treat

A chicken treat for the flock, fed after layers pellets rather than instead

£14.05

Fast UK delivery

Tarhong Paw Ikat Teal Pet Placemat – BPA-Free PVC & EVA

A vibrant teal ikat placemat with paw print accents — BPA-free, wipe-clean, and 29 × 48 cm for protecting floors under pet bowls.

£8.49

Fast UK delivery

Tarhong Country Orchard Melamine Pet Saucer

A pretty fruit and floral orchard-print melamine saucer for pets — BPA-free, non-slip, shatterproof, and dishwasher safe at 13.2 cm.

£9.49

Classic Stainless Steel Shallow Dish

Shallow stainless steel cat dish with 500 ml capacity

£1.25

No-Spill Slow-Drink Pet Water Bowl

A no-spill water bowl with a floating disc that lets pets drink freely while stopping splashes.

From£10.99

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Common questions

What is the best type of feeder for pigeons?: A covered hopper or trough-style feeder generally works better than an open tray, since pigeons readily scatter and stand in loose feed, wasting it and soiling what remains. A design with a narrow access lip reduces both problems and typically needs refilling less often.
How do I stop pigeon feed getting damp?: Use a feeder with a roof or lid rather than relying on the loft's shelter alone, and check the design sheds rain away from the feeding opening rather than letting it pool there. Damp grain is prone to mould, which is a genuine health risk if eaten.
Should grit be mixed in with pigeon feed?: No — grit should be offered in its own separate container rather than mixed into the grain, so birds can access it as needed. Pigeons, like other birds, rely on grit to grind food properly since they have no teeth.
How many feeding points does a pigeon loft need?: For a loft housing several birds, more than one feeding point spread around the space helps reduce competition and bullying around a single feeder, and generally makes for calmer, more even feeding across the flock.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.