Moulting in Pigeons: Feeding, Feather Care and Practical Guidance

During the moult, pigeons replace their plumage. The feathers grown during this period will serve them beyond the moulting season, so feeding, housing and observation remain important after racing has finished. This guide explains what to consider when reviewing the ration and choosing individual products.

When do pigeons moult?

Feather replacement can extend over several months. The main moult in racing pigeons is often observed in late summer and autumn; a later start can mean that it continues into winter. Age, breeding activity and light conditions affect its course. A calendar alone is therefore not enough to assess an individual bird's progress.

Flight feathers are replaced progressively rather than all being shed at once. Watch the development of the new feathers and the bird's general condition. Unusual feather loss or impaired flight should not automatically be treated as a normal part of the moult.

Why nutrition matters

Feathers consist largely of keratin, a structural protein. Sulfur-containing amino acids, including methionine and cystine, are relevant to feather formation. The overall supply of energy, protein and other nutrients matters; simply adding more protein or reducing maize does not create a complete feeding plan.

Review the existing feed, the bird's condition and the instructions for any supplements already being used. Signs of illness should not be dismissed as “just the moult”. Breathing problems or other concerning changes need veterinary assessment.

Reviewing the ration

• Protein sources: peas, vetches and other suitable feed ingredients can contribute protein to the ration. Assess the whole mixture before adding a supplement. Eurital Protein Gold is one complementary feed available in the shop; its own label provides the feeding instructions.
• Oilseeds: these contribute fat and energy. The amount should fit the existing mixture and the birds' condition. An oilseed addition is not a substitute for balancing the complete ration.
• Grit and mineral feed: insoluble grit helps pigeons mechanically grind whole seeds. Mineral feeds supply minerals, and their composition and instructions differ between products. Do not assume that every mineral supplement should be offered without a quantity limit.
• Changing feed: plan the transition and introduce a different mixture gradually. Check both the composition and the feeding instructions; the words “racing” or “moulting” on the name alone do not establish whether the total ration is suitable.

Browse the current selection under Moulting Supplies. Choose by the actual product information rather than assuming that all products in a category are interchangeable.

Choosing individual additions

Products used during the moulting period have different purposes and compositions. They should be assessed individually, especially when several are already included in the feeding routine.

• Sulfur flower: the role of sulfur-containing amino acids in feathers cannot simply be transferred to feeding elemental sulfur. Sulfur flower does not replace a supply of the required amino acids. Refer to the specific product information rather than inferring a benefit from the word “sulfur”.
• Brewer's yeast and vitamin products: their composition and recommended quantities vary. Eurital Vitamin Pro is administered via drinking water according to its own instructions; it is not a direct substitute for every other addition.
• Feed oils: where a powder's instructions call for mixing it with lightly oiled grain, follow that product's directions. There is no common quantity for all powders and oils.
• Herbal products: the Herbs & Phyto category includes Eurital herbal blends and other products. Select the appropriate species and use from the label.

The Eurital moulting pack

The Eurital moulting pack combines Protein Gold 500 g, Vitamin Pro 500 ml, milk thistle seed 2.5 kg and Herbal-Mix 500 g. Each item comes separately in its original packaging with its own instructions.

The pack offers a convenient way to order those four products together. It does not have a single combined dosage. Complementary feeds and feed materials are not medicines and do not replace veterinary treatment when signs of illness appear.

Bathing and feather care

Offer suitable opportunities for bathing with clean water and a shallow, stable container. Allow the birds to bathe voluntarily and consider the weather and the time available for the plumage to dry. Clean the container and remove used bath water instead of leaving dirty water standing.

If a bath additive is used, follow its label. Bathing for feather care should not be confused with a verified treatment for mites or other parasites.

Rest, housing and observation

• Avoid unnecessary disruption: keep handling and changes of housing appropriate to the birds' condition. Feather changes can have different causes; their appearance alone does not establish a diagnosis.
• Maintain the loft: keep it dry, clean and ventilated. Check drinking containers and provide fresh drinking water.
• Watch for parasites: investigate abnormal scratching or damaged feathers and seek appropriate advice. General cleaning and a treatment for a confirmed infestation are different tasks.
• Match activity to the individual bird: consider the stage of feather replacement, the condition of the plumage and general fitness before increasing training demands.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving the ration unchanged without checking whether it still suits the birds.
• Adding several supplements without accounting for what the basic feed and other products already supply.
• Increasing oilseeds or powders simply because the birds are moulting.
• Using a fixed calendar date as the only basis for training decisions.
• Attributing signs of illness to the moult instead of investigating them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the moult take?

It can last several months. Timing varies with the individual bird, age, breeding activity and light conditions; there is no single finishing date for every pigeon.

How can I assess its progress?

Observe the sequence of feather replacement alongside the bird's activity, appetite and general condition. Unusual feather growth or loss, poor condition or reduced ability to fly warrants further assessment.

What about young pigeons?

Young birds undergo their first feather changes while they are still developing. Their feeding should take growth as well as feather replacement into account, using suitable product instructions rather than assuming an adult routine fits unchanged.

When can training resume?

Base the decision on the individual bird's feathers, moulting stage and condition. A universal restart date is not appropriate. Seek veterinary advice if feather growth or exercise tolerance is abnormal.

Key points

Review the whole ration, distinguish grit from mineral supplements, follow each product's instructions and observe the individual bird. Provide clean bathing and drinking water and suitable housing. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual veterinary advice.