Pigeon seed and mixes
A pigeon's seed mix needs to change with the season and the workload, the same way a working dog's food does — a bird racing or breeding needs more protein and energy than one simply overwintering, and feeding a single all-purpose mix year-round is rarely the best fit for either situation.
Why the mix changes through the year
A high-protein or high-performance mix, built around a wider blend of seeds and legumes, suits pigeons during breeding, moulting or racing, when the bird's energy and protein demands are highest. A winter economy mix is lighter and cheaper, aimed at maintaining condition through the quieter months rather than fuelling peak performance.
Feeding a performance-level mix year-round when a bird is not working that hard is an unnecessary cost and can contribute to a bird carrying more condition than it needs going into the next season. Matching the mix to the calendar, not just buying one bag and sticking with it, is the more efficient approach most keepers already use.
What we stock
Our range includes the Bestpets High Performance Pigeon Mix and Bucktons Pigeons High Protein Economy for higher-demand periods, alongside the Bucktons Pigeon Winter Economy Mix for the quieter months. We also carry Bucktons Pigeon Pickstones and a pigeon conditioner for grit and general condition support alongside the seed itself.
Pickstones and grit are worth feeding alongside any seed mix rather than instead of it — pigeons need grit to help digest seed properly, and it is a cheap, easy addition most keepers already build into a routine rather than treating as optional.
Storage and freshness
Seed mixes keep best in a dry, vermin-proof container rather than left in an open bag, since damp seed spoils quickly and an open bag is an easy target for rodents around a loft. Buying a size you will get through in a reasonable time is worth it over a large economy bag that sits half-used for months.
Check a mix for dust or a musty smell before feeding it, particularly if it has been stored for a while — seed that has gone off is worth discarding rather than feeding, since it does the birds no good and can put them off the mix altogether.
A metal bin with a tight lid is worth the small outlay if you are feeding a loft of any size, since it keeps a whole sack dry and sealed rather than relying on the paper sack it arrived in, which tears and lets damp in far more easily once it has been opened and closed a few times.
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
Peckish Complete Seed
A husk-free garden bird seed mix with Peckish's own added vitamin pellet
From£3.00
Peckish Robin Seed Mix
A 1KG insect-added seed mix from Peckish, marketed specifically at robins
£3.75
Peckish Winter Warmer Extra Energy Seed Mix
A 1KG winter seed mix with 9 ingredients and 20% oil for extra energy
£3.99
Rosewood Recycled Wild Bird Seed Feeder
A 1.2 litre wild bird seed feeder that fixes to a wall, post or drainpipe
£15.00
Peckish No Grow Seed Mix
A weed-free wild bird seed mix, husk-free and treated so it won't sprout in the garden below
From£5.49
Rosewood Recycled Wild Bird Bottom Seed Feeder
25cm recycled bird seed feeder, washable, for small to medium birds
£9.00
Supa Wild Bird Seed Feeder 10 Port
A 30in (75cm) 10-port garden bird seed feeder, holding around 1.25kg of seed
£10.49
Bucktons Black Sunflower Seeds
A single-seed black sunflower straight for garden birds, not a mixed blend
£21.99
Henry Bell Heavy Duty Seed Feeder
A heavy-duty aluminium wild bird seed feeder with an all-in-one base
£14.99
Common questions
- What is the difference between a racing mix and an economy mix?
- A racing or high-performance mix carries more protein and energy for a bird working hard, while an economy mix is lighter and cheaper, aimed at maintaining condition through quieter periods rather than fuelling peak performance.
- Do pigeons need grit as well as seed?
- Yes, grit helps pigeons digest seed properly and is worth feeding alongside any mix rather than as an optional extra. It is a cheap addition that most keepers include as a matter of routine.
- How should I store pigeon seed?
- Keep it in a dry, vermin-proof container rather than an open bag, and buy a size you will get through in a reasonable time. Damp or old seed can spoil and is best discarded rather than fed.
- Should I change my pigeons' feed for winter?
- Many keepers move to a lighter winter economy mix during the quieter months and switch to a higher-protein mix ahead of breeding, moulting or racing, matching the feed to the bird's actual workload through the year.
Related
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.