Most experienced pigeon fanciers—including many top competitors—prefer a twice-a-day feeding routine, especially during the colder months.
Here’s why it works so well:
Feeding in two smaller meals allows you to fine-tune your feed composition—adjusting protein, carbs, and fats throughout the day and the week. You can start light in the morning and gradually build up in the evening.
Birds digest smaller meals more efficiently. This keeps their metabolism steady, their droppings clean, and their internal systems functioning well—particularly important in colder conditions.
A light morning feed fuels training flights and activity, while a richer evening feed helps replenish energy reserves and support recovery and muscle building.
Twice-a-day feeding gives you more control over the buildup of energy reserves leading into a race. You can gradually shift from light, cleansing mixes early in the week to heavier, fuel-rich mixes as basketing day approaches.
This feeding strategy is a key part of effective cold weather pigeon feeding, ensuring your birds stay warm, active, and race ready.
Here’s a simple feeding schedule you can adapt to your own loft, using a twice-a-day system:
This feeding strategy is a key part of effective cold weather pigeon feeding, ensuring your birds stay warm, active, and race-ready.
Here’s a simple feeding schedule you can adapt to your own loft, using a twice-a-day system:
| Day | Morning Feed | Evening Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Monday | Light depurative mix (barley, milo, low-protein grains) | Richer mix begins—wheat, peas, small amount of maize |
| Tuesday | Continue light mix with added safflower/sunflower hearts | Higher carbs/fats to begin building reserves |
| Wednesday | Transition to a full racing mix (maize, milo, safflower) | High-energy mix continues to peak before basketing |
| Thursday | Light feed (if basketing in the evening) | No feed after basketing |
| Friday/Saturday | Recovery mix (barley, peas, vitamins) | Light mix to restore condition and aid digestion |
Pro Tip: Watch your birds’ behavior after feeding. Are they satisfied or still hungry? Are the droppings clean and firm? Your pigeons will always tell you if your feeding is on point—if you know how to read the signs.
Thank you very much for your attention. the pigeons are beautiful and eat well. Im recommending your pigeons to my friends. I hope to buy more pigeons from you in the future. Thank you.
Arrived early and in perfect condition. I have 8 favorites.
The Alexander Hansenne is indeed a remarkable Racing Pigeon Strain. Dr Willaim Anderson in his book "The Sport of Racing Pigeons" 1947 writes extensively about this outstanding Fancier. I luck to have an original copy of the book. Need i say i myself have of the Bronze chequers in my stock loft Well wishes to you
Hello Dale, Donnie & Pam
Firstly, I would like to thank Dale for his persistence yesterday. Both
Linda and I were so sorry that your crossing was so difficult.
Originally, you texted me that you would wait for us---so of course we
would wait for you!!
We had a very pleasant return home with clear roads etc. But were
extremely tired and went to bed early!! I am extremely happy with the
selection of birds you sent even the replacement for 20512.
It was a pleasure dealing with the Zehr family. I spent time with the
birds in the garage last night and today speaking "Zehr Sion" to them.
Think they understood---at least until they learn "Trini Sion". Lol!!!
Thank you all once again.
Wishing you all and your families a very Happy Holiday Season!!!
Dave and Linda
The 3 birds arrived this morning in Aurora, Colorado safe and sound. Thanks. We'll do business again!!
Hello. We received the two boxes today with the four Hansenne pigeons. Arrived in excellent condition.
She is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you guys for looking out for me. Can’t say enough about how much I love the bird and birds you have sent me.
Thank you so much, i got the bird! He's so beautiful, pin tail apple body, nice wing :)
Hello there, My name is Mike and live in Az, I had racing pigeons when I was young and now Im not young haha 61, Semi retired and determined to move to a place where I can fly birds again, want to get my grandkids involved. Anyway as a kid I flew some Sions and really enjoyed your website. When Im ready would love to get a few Sions again and see how they do. Any advice for an old newbie? lol
Hey Donnie, Saw your Birds on Ipigeon and must say, those are some Beautiful Heitzmans. They are very true to what I called the real thing. Beautiful Hansennes as well. Take Care, Chuck
Hi
I have placed the pigeon recieved from you recently in a priority express shipment back to you in same box recieved. Bird was beautiful and healthy but we realized it’s nature is such that it needs to fly and be a racing pigeon. We can’t offer that life to it and realize it was a mistake to try this based on our situation
Bird has had not been outside and has been confined indoors in isolation since recieved.
Please give it the home it deserves.
Appreciate the care you took getting it to us!!!
Need some color on my team. Had some sion couple years ago when i had a partner who sick and could not care for his own birds. He liked sions so i bought some from you on pigeonauction.com. We alot of fun his sions against my team .He has since past on. His family called me and thanked me for letting fly with me he really looked forward race day. HE WON EVERY WEEK
Path: https://www.clayhavenfarms.com/pigeons/for-sale
