As a pigeon owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your bird receives good amounts of high-quality food. The best way to feed your pigeon is to give them a diet that is close to what they naturally eat in the wild. This will ensure a healthy, happy and thriving pigeon.

So, does a healthy pigeon diet include corn? This article explores the question of ‘do pigeons eat corn’

Pigeons do eat corn. Corn is an inexpensive, easily accessible food source to give to your pigeons. It contains a variety of nutrients that your bird’s body will benefit from.

Do pigeons eat corn?

Pigeons can definitely eat corn. Pigeons are granivores, this means that pigeons are designed to be able to eat grains, one such grain is corn. Because corn is easy to find, and easily available, it can easily become a part of your pigeon’s diet. 

Nutrients in corn that will benefit pigeons:

Beta carotene: Corn contains high levels of beta carotene, beta carotene is useful in maintaining and improving your pigeon’s eyesight.

Fiber: Fiber is also present in corn, fibre ensures that digestion happens as efficiently as possible in the bird.

Protein: The protein in corn ensures proper growth and maintenance of the bird’s body. 

Healthy fat: Corn contains healthy fats, it is best eaten during the winter months. During the wintertime, as the temperatures drop, pigeons need to pack on the pounds in order to stay insulated and warm.

They do this by eating more fatty foods, one such food that helps them pick up weight is corn. Corn contains healthy fats which will create a more plump pigeon. 

Corn should be fed in moderation and when needed:

That being said, because corn can easily turn into fat in a bird’s body, it is important to regulate how much corn the bird is eating, especially in the summer months when they don’t need this added fat on their bodies.

Only small amounts of corn should be given to pigeons during this time. The downside of too much fat on a pigeon’s body is that this can affect how the bird flies, it can also negatively affect the bird’s health.

A pigeon’s diet needs to consist of a variety of foods in order to stay healthy, serving them only corn will not suffice, remember to offer your bird a variety of other foods as well. This will ensure the bird has a well-rounded diet. 

Can pigeons eat raw corn? 

Pigeons can definitely eat raw corn, raw corn is used in a variety of bird feeds and pigeons love it all the same. Raw corn can be added to your bird’s seed mix if it does not already contain corn.

If you’re feeding younger birds you may need to crack the corn before serving, this makes it easier for the birds to eat. Older birds can eat while corn kernels with no problem. 

Raw corn can also be thrown on the ground for your backyard pigeons to forage for and eat. Pigeons in the wild are accustomed to going out and finding food for themselves.

This process not only fulfills them, as they use their own initiative and skills to find food, but they also get some exercise as they forage. Throwing corn on the ground in your garden for pigeons to find gives them fulfillment and exercise. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, yes pigeons can definitely eat corn, corn is an affordable, delicious, and nutritious food option for pigeons.

Not only does it offer the bird a variety of nutrients, but it can also add a layer of fat to the bird’s body which will keep the bird warm during the winter.

Pigeons can eat raw and cooked and corn. Corn can be added to your pigeon’s birdseed or thrown on the ground for pigeons to forage.

When feeding corn to pigeons, make sure that this food is given as part of a well-rounded diet, this ensures that the bird gets all the nutrients it needs for a healthy life. 

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other pigeon related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in:  Do pigeons eat bananas?, Do pigeons eat acorns?, Do pigeons eat grass?, Do pigeons eat fish?, Do pigeons eat other birds eggs?, Do pigeons eat popcorn?, Do pigeons eat mice?