racing pigeons need the best quality corn...

[freebase]

If you are looking for the best quality corn, of various types, look no further than racing pigeon feed.
No joke.

The Cribbs maize (dried naturally, in the field, on the plant for 6 months, carefully protected with nets) is untreated in any way.
Lots of seed maize has either a pesticide to prevent animals eating the seed, or is of general low quality/selection.
Chicken feed is (generally) mixed with other grains, and can contain oils, etc.

Not so your top end Racing Pigeon feed.
For instance Vanrobaeys (Belgium)
Their Yellow Cribbs, Bordeaux and a version of "Bloody Butcher" are excellent quality.
Particularly if you are looking to malt maize.

25Kg sack is about 25 pounds + delivery.
There is no comparison with the quality of feed grain for domestic animals.
These pigeon racers demand the best quality, and they get it.
I won't use anything else now...

Happy malting.

[Corsaire]

Jeez I live in Belgium, two of my neighbours raise and race pigeons and I never thought of this. Thanks for the tip!

Edit:
Vanrobaeys is just a 20min drive from me. I've been drooling over their site! Finally a good corn source close by!

Now I just need to buy a good mill

[Dewstiller]

That’s a next level kind of tip there, thanks! Would have never thought of that in 100 years.

[zapata]

Racing pigeons huh? Sounds like a new a hobby is calling me!

A quick look around didn't show me any amazing sources in USA, but did suggest pigeon feed suppliers would also likely have useful calcium carbonate sources, but some may have unwanted supplements as well.

[freebase]

er, no.
The basic corn does not have any additives...

i agree that the 'mixes/blends' is more like a soup mix.

However, go to the 'Maize' Link and all becomes clear.

https://www.vanrobaeysbelgium.com/en-GB ... s-of-maize

I only posted this because after kilos after kilos of low grade crap corn/maize, ...
...I fell across, entirely by accident, a company that cares about corn quality.

I bought some, and now i agree.
This is not generic feed stock.
This is the best you can get (IMO)

From the 'Maize' section of Vanrobaeys website :

I have personally bought, malted, and fermented the Cribbs, Red French and Bordeaux.
Which is why i posted originally.

If anyone can source a better type of corn, that malts well, in 25Kg sacks.
Please let me know, because I don't think anyone takes better care of corn then these guys.

Pigeon racing demands attention.
Purely by accident we benefit from this.
Who knew...

[The Baker]

My son-in-law has a lot of wheat growing nicely.

I am sure I could get as much as I would ever want so I have malting in mind.

Maybe...

Geoff

[Corsaire]

Racing pigeons huh? Sounds like a new a hobby is calling me!

I hope you've got deep pockets...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co ... e-47610896

I hope to get to their store next week. I'm excited to try this out.

[zapata]

er, no.
The basic corn does not have any additives...

Yeah, I saw that. I was just pointing out that at least the US pigeon feeders also sold various grits, calcium carbonates, shells etc, which are handy in a ferment, but a few of them did have all sorts of other supplements even though the product title was something generic.

Interestingly enough, from the little browsing I did it seemed that there was a slant toward corn free mixes over here. But that belgium corn does look like a sweet source. Another tip for corn if you've been having shit luck is popcorn. It's not the most productive varieties, but there is a demand for obscure varieties and it's all grade A human food grade not feed lot sweepings.

[freebase]

Hi Zapata,
popcorn is not good (IMO) if you want to malt.
It is generally a bigger commercial operation, and kiln dried.

Grain for malting needs to be softer / less dried than that used for popcorn.
Maize/corn used for popping needs to be drier than racing pigeon feed.

So pigeon feed doesn't pop well, and popcorn doesn't malt well.

(I tried the 3 varieties of vanrobaeys i bought, Bordeaux, French Red and Cribbs Yellow.
All the same, too moist to pop, but perfect for malting.

Rgds.

[zapata]

Gotcha, I missed that you wanted to malt it. Also, I didn't even know pop corn won't malt, that's good to know. It does mash and convert, but makes sense that it wouldn't germinate for malting.

[freebase]

Hi Zapata,
(in my experience)
maize intended for popcorn will malt (of sorts).
I just don't find it ideal, compared to the 'Pigeon Feed' mentioned.

From my experience, 20% Humidity on the grain is ideal.
Not wet for too long, never dry, and just damp.

Because 'popcorn' is much drier/harder, you have to soak it longer.
Then keep it damp longer, and the % of grains that sprout is not optimal.
Also you run the risk of mould/infection whilst keeping the grains damp for longer...

The pigeon maize just starts straight out of the gate.
If you taste the grains all the way through, and compare this with 'popcorn' maize at the same stage it is 'night and day' difference.
The popcorn will (quite literally) break your teeth at the start.
The pigeon maize is a lot softer to start with.
After a couple of days into malting, it is even more noticeable.

I attach photos of the maize i malted recently.
It is the best corn, with this method, that i have adopted/modified.