Breeding & Molting Ultra + Milk Thistle: Ingredients and Use
Nutritional needs during breeding and moulting, and what the Breeding & Moulting Ultra mix provides: peas, roasted soybeans, several types of corn, and 3 % milk thistle seeds with the active ingredient silymarin.
Feed supply is a crucial factor in the performance of racing pigeons. Especially during the intensive breeding and molting phases, the need for protein, energy, and minerals increases. This article explains what matters in these two phases and what the mix Breeding & Molting Ultra + Milk Thistle provides.
Challenges during breeding and molting phases
During the breeding phase, pigeons need extra energy, proteins, and minerals—for egg formation, for feeding the young, and for their own metabolism. During molting, feather regrowth is the focus. Feathers are made mostly of keratin, a protein; accordingly, the protein requirement is high during this time.
A tailored mix such as Eurital Breeding & Molting Ultra + Milk Thistle is designed for exactly these two phases.
The nutrient requirement during breeding
| Nutrient | Role in breeding |
|---|---|
| Protein | Building block for egg formation and the growth of young pigeons. |
| Vitamins | Involved in numerous metabolic processes. |
| Minerals | Calcium is the main component of the eggshell and bone formation. |
Especially with calcium, the grain mix alone is not enough—grit and mineral mixes are part of the breeding period. Suitable options can be found under Mineral Grit Mix.
Raising young pigeons
In the first weeks of life, a young pigeon grows faster than at any later stage. What matters here:
- Energy-rich components cover the high basal metabolic rate.
- Protein is the building block for muscles and the first feathers.
- Fresh water must be available at all times—the parent birds need it for crop milk as well.
Molting: a critical stage in the pigeon year
Molting is the natural process in which pigeons renew their plumage. It lasts for months and is physically demanding. What matters:
- Feather quality: New feathers need plenty of protein, especially sulfur-containing amino acids.
- Rest: Molting is not a phase for peak performance.
- Consistency: Supply should remain even throughout the entire molting period.
The process is described in detail in the guide Feeding pigeons correctly during molt.
Milk thistle in the mix
Milk thistle seed is a traditional part of pigeon feeding, especially during molting. The characteristic ingredient in the seeds is silymarin, a mixture of plant compounds. The mix contains milk thistle seed at a share of 3 %.
Anyone who wants to supplement milk thistle separately can find it as Milk Thistle Seed 2.5 kg and 5 kg in the range.
Composition of the mix
Breeding & Molting Ultra + Milk Thistle contains peas (15 %), roasted soybeans (8 %), several types of corn, and 3 % milk thistle seed. The mix is made up entirely of Cribbs corn, Bordeaux corn, Milo, Dari, wheat, peas, soy, hemp, and milk thistle seed.
That provides:
- Protein from peas and roasted soy
- Energy from the corn varieties and hemp
- Milk thistle seed as a traditional addition during molting
Roasting the soybeans is not just an extra step: raw soybeans contain substances that inhibit protein digestion—only through heat do they become easily digestible for pigeons.
Practical feeding tips
- Keep to fixed feeding times.
- Observe feed intake—what is left behind says something about the amount.
- Offer grit and minerals for free access on an ongoing basis.
- When switching between mixes, transition over several days, not abruptly.
Conclusion
Breeding and molting are the two phases with the highest nutrient requirements in the pigeon year. A mix with a high protein content, sufficient energy, and an additional component such as milk thistle is the foundation—along with grit, minerals, and fresh water.
Supplementary and single-ingredient feeds serve to provide nutrients. They are not medicines and do not replace veterinary treatment if signs of illness appear.
Frequently asked questions
What is Breeding & Molting Ultra + Milk Thistle?
A grain mix for pigeons with 15 % peas, 8 % roasted soybeans, several types of corn, and 3 % milk thistle seed.
Which ingredients are included?
Cribbs corn, Bordeaux corn, Milo, Dari, wheat, peas, soy, hemp, and 3 % milk thistle seed.
Who is the mix suitable for?
For flocks during breeding and molting, i.e. the phases with the highest protein and energy requirements.
How should the feed be used?
As a base feed during breeding and molting, tailored to the birds' needs. Grit and minerals should be added as well.
Why is the soy roasted?
Raw soybeans contain ingredients that inhibit protein digestion. Roasting makes them readily usable for the birds.
