Can You Use Rice or Alka Seltzer to Kill A Pigeon?

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If you are experiencing the problems that come with dealing with pigeons around your property, then one of the things that you may come across online is the explanation about why pigeons can be killed if they eat certain foods. The theory is that these foods can cause problems in the digestive system of the birds, and they are physically unable to cope with this, which then kills the bird. While it may sound like a fantastical story, there are many people who have tried to use rice or alka seltzer to deal with their pigeon problem, and they then find out that it really is a fantastical story and isn't really effective.



Can Rice Really Be Dangerous To Pigeons?

The theory behind rice being one of the foods that is dangerous to pigeons is that dry rice will expand when it is exposed to water, and this is what it will receive if it is eaten by the pigeon. The rice is then said to expand within the bird's stomach, and the stomach then is unable to cope with this expansion. The reality is that this doesn't happen, and the danger of rice to pigeons is largely overstated.

The Myth Of Exploding Pigeons

One of the most interesting parts of the myth that has grown up around these foods being ingested by pigeons is that they will actually cause the birds to explode, presumably in a shower of feathers as though they were in a cartoon. The bird's stomach is much like a smaller version of the human stomach, and it can actually stretch a fair amount.

Feeding Alka Seltzer To Pigeons

The theory behind using alka seltzer to kill pigeons is much like the idea of using rice, with the theory being that the gas that is produced when the alka seltzer touches the fluid in the bird's stomach, it produces a large amount of gas. Once again, the truth is that alka seltzer will also be ineffective at killing a pigeon.

Why Gas Within The Body Will Not Kill A Pigeon

On the whole, birds do not generally pass wind in the same way as people, but also they do not produce as much gas because they have a much lower proportion of bacteria within the gut. However, if needed birds can still pass wind or burp to release this gas, and the myth of this kind of problem killing a pigeon is exactly that – just a myth.

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