2006-11-24 11:35:23 · 13 answers · asked by Lizannie L 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Okay, I've bred and raised pigeons for almost 45 years. No, they DO NOT blow up after eating rice. In point of fact, they like it. Especially if it's paddy rice. Pigeons have a crop where they store the grains and food they eat, and then the food is passed to a muscular gizzard where it's pulverized. This whole rice thing is an urban myth - likely started by some churches that didn't want to clean up after weddings. In fact, in many Asian countries, pigeon breeders feed their birds a lot of rice and they do just fine on it. (Not pure white rice since that can lead to beri-beri (a Vitamin B deficiency disease) if nothing else is also fed)
2006-11-28 11:36:03 · answer #1 · answered by ieguy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it isn't true. Like anything else, if an animal eats too much of it, it's not good for them and they could die from impaction (how would you feel if you ate 10 cups of uncooked rice? :))
Even alka-seltzer tablets won't hurt them. Just make them feel really weird for a little while!
Just a myth.
2006-11-24 13:41:52 · answer #2 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a myth (that's the reason they don't throw rice at weddings anymore). I heard on a radio show (Bob and Sheri) that some professor conducted this experiment and rice did no harm to any birds.
2006-11-24 11:40:02 · answer #3 · answered by dawn S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it's uncooked rice, it can cause them problems as they drink water and it expands in their crops and it becomes gummy. If they get enough water and don't eat too much, it won't harm them as long as they can process it. I use rice in my birdie bread and it's ok. They can process it.
2006-11-24 11:44:19 · answer #4 · answered by Lynn D 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
yea if you feed birds rice their stomaches swell up and they explode
2006-11-24 11:44:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not sure, but i do know that if you throw an alka selzer in the air or on the ground and a seagull eats it, the seagull will quickly explode
2006-11-24 11:39:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
wow never heard that one before, my guess its a myth, but search google to see
2006-11-24 11:37:20 · answer #7 · answered by crazycatlady1990 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they don't blow up but they do die
They cant process all that starch properly
2006-11-24 11:43:25 · answer #8 · answered by Esme 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no it isn't but it is true that if you ask such silly questions, you'll blow up.
2006-11-24 13:12:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
never heard of it,,,,,but you sure cracked me up...hahahahah
2006-11-25 03:35:35 · answer #10 · answered by Mita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋