Common Error at Weaning

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I felt it was time to point out a common error many, even, long-established fanciers, make at weaning. I have been hearing for years that some lofts, during weaning, force their babies to eat large grains or peas exclusively, prior to feeding any other seeds or pellets. 

When I wean my babies, my main concern is for them to eat as much and as quickly as possible. The babies are stressed during weaning, and to add stress by forcing them to eat maple peas, does not make much sense. Why do youngsters crave small seeds that are high fat and or high fat/high protein at weaning? They eat these seeds because nature wants the babies to eat these high energy seeds. 

After racing pigeons for 40 years, and keeping pigeons for nearly 45 years, I have yet to have an adult pigeon refuse to eat large grains or peas. I bet there are few six-week-old babies that do not eat everything placed in front of them. Forcing the babies to eat large grains at weaning should become a thing of the past. The new guy listens to the older fancier, and this procedure just keeps perpetuating year after year. From now on just concentrate on your babies eating whatever they want as quickly as possible. Your youngsters will be better for it. Reducing stress at weaning should be the goal, not increasing it.