What is the difference between a standard and a high-performance pigeon mix?

A standard or economy mix is aimed at everyday maintenance for birds not under particular physical demand, while a high-performance mix is formulated for racing pigeons in training, when energy needs are higher. Match the mix to what your birds are actually doing rather than always buying the same one.

Do pigeons need grit as well as seed?

Yes, grit plays a real role in helping pigeons break down whole seed in the crop, since they cannot chew the way mammals do. Pickstones and grit mixes are a normal part of a pigeon's diet alongside the seed itself, not an optional extra.

When should I use a pigeon conditioner?

Conditioners are typically used around moulting, breeding or racing periods, when a bird's needs shift beyond everyday maintenance. Outside those periods, a good standard seed mix and grit is usually enough for a bird simply being kept well.

How should pigeon feed be stored?

Keep it in a dry, pest-proof container away from damp, and buy a quantity you will get through in a reasonable time rather than a large sack that sits open for months. Damp or infested feed can make birds unwell and is not worth the saving.

Pigeon food

Pigeon keeping runs on a mix of seed feeds, conditioning supplements and grit rather than a single all-in-one food, and what a bird needs changes across the racing or breeding calendar. Our range includes Bucktons pigeon mixes and conditioner, high-performance and economy seed blends, and pickstones for grit and minerals.

The main types, and what each is for

A general or economy seed mix, like Bucktons Pigeon Winter Economy Mix, is the everyday base feed for birds not in active training or breeding. A high-performance mix, aimed at racing pigeons in training, carries a different balance intended to support the extra demands of flying and recovery.

Pickstones and grit supply minerals and help digestion in a way seed alone does not, since pigeons need grit to break down whole seed in the crop. A conditioner, such as Bucktons Pigeon Conditioner, is typically used around moulting, breeding or racing seasons rather than fed year-round as a staple.

Choosing and feeding well

What a loft actually needs depends on whether birds are racing, breeding, moulting or simply being kept, and experienced keepers often vary the mix through the year rather than feeding the same thing constantly. If you are new to keeping pigeons, a standard mix alongside grit is a sensible starting point while you learn what your particular birds do best on.

Store seed mixes somewhere dry and pest-proof, since damp or infested feed spoils quickly and can make birds unwell. Buying in a size you will use within a reasonable time keeps the feed fresher than a large sack that sits half-used for months.

In this section

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

Browse all of Birds →

Common questions

What is the difference between a standard and a high-performance pigeon mix?: A standard or economy mix is aimed at everyday maintenance for birds not under particular physical demand, while a high-performance mix is formulated for racing pigeons in training, when energy needs are higher. Match the mix to what your birds are actually doing rather than always buying the same one.
Do pigeons need grit as well as seed?: Yes, grit plays a real role in helping pigeons break down whole seed in the crop, since they cannot chew the way mammals do. Pickstones and grit mixes are a normal part of a pigeon's diet alongside the seed itself, not an optional extra.
When should I use a pigeon conditioner?: Conditioners are typically used around moulting, breeding or racing periods, when a bird's needs shift beyond everyday maintenance. Outside those periods, a good standard seed mix and grit is usually enough for a bird simply being kept well.
How should pigeon feed be stored?: Keep it in a dry, pest-proof container away from damp, and buy a quantity you will get through in a reasonable time rather than a large sack that sits open for months. Damp or infested feed can make birds unwell and is not worth the saving.

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.