Testing

[Guest SPORTKA]

Could one of you please tell me the best way to go about this, I am glad to say all my birds appear fit and healthy , however I would like to get them tested out of interest, do you pick on one random bird to test or would I need to take one test in each loft section? also is there any really good bird vets in the Midlands that know there stuff, thanx in advance for you help Chris.

[Guest kev d]

hi there , have a word with homeside lofts on here he will test them for you all

you have to do is using a tea spoon go round the loft picking up random droppings

about 5 or 6 will do then put it in a sanwich bag and seal it up and put it in a envelope

he lives in south wales he wount charge you much , cheers kev

[REDROCKET]

hi there , have a word with homeside lofts on here he will test them for you all

you have to do is using a tea spoon go round the loft picking up random droppings

about 5 or 6 will do then put it in a sanwich bag and seal it up and put it in a envelope

he lives in south wales he wount charge you much , cheers kev

 

a tea spoon hope its dissposable lol

[Guest]

hi there , have a word with homeside lofts on here he will test them for you all

you have to do is using a tea spoon go round the loft picking up random droppings

about 5 or 6 will do then put it in a sanwich bag and seal it up and put it in a envelope

he lives in south wales he wount charge you much , cheers kev

make sure you wash the spoon before you make a brew ?                   andy.

 

 

[kev43]

it,s only pigeon s..t were u.s all brought up with golden spoons stickin out ur ar..s  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D many times we been messin about with birds i,e cleaning out  and ate sandwiches without washin our hands   ;)

[Guest kev d]

it,s only pigeon s..t were u.s all brought up with golden spoons stickin out ur ar..s  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D many times we been messin about with birds i,e cleaning out  and ate sandwiches without washin our hands   ;)

just going to say a bit of dirt wount hurt you using the same spoon adds to the taste  ;D ;D

 

[Guest]

just going to say a bit of dirt wount hurt you using the same spoon adds to the taste  ;D ;D

i will bear that in mind if i ever visit and you offer me a cuppa ??                            andy.

 

[Guest Owen]

I think I understand your reasoning, but there really is no need to do this at this time of the year. Unless of course you have seen something that worries you.

It is not a good idea to treat your birds for canker or cocci now, they are best left alone to build up their immunity. Worms and lice are a differant matter. There should be no time when your birds have parasities internal or external.

When you decide to have the birds checked the normal procedure is to take samples from each group of birds. Jason will mix the samples from each separate group. The test is done using 5ml of droppings. He will report of the results on a group basis.

One very important point about testing is, that you must follow up with a second test after any treatment you have given the birds.

I tested birds for a local Fancier and amongst other things I found hairworm and roundworm. The Fancier treated the birds straight away. I tested them again 4 days later and there were still hair worm present although all the round worm had gone. The Fnacier treated the birds for a second time and return to me some 5 days later. Hairworm. Admittedly in very small numbers but they were still there. After the third treatment, the hair worm was gone.

The lesson here was that, having a once now and again test will not always give you the results you need. The sequal to this story is that, the Fancier concerned, has now got himself a microscope and, after a bit of coaching, can now test his droppings whenever he likes.

As far as respiratory problems are concerned. If you have not over-stocked and you have a good airflow you should not have to worry about it. I think that, when birds get respiratory problems, it is all down to how the stock is managed. The long term cure will be to correct any overstocking and to ensure that the airflow is right for the loft. A quick way to tell if you have repiratory problems is to observe the birds exercising. They should fly high and enjoy their exercise. Birds that are flat and just fly in circles as if they are on a

string are definately not right and could be denied oxygen in the loft. If that is the case, it is not medication you want, it is a hammer and a saw.  

[Guest SPORTKA]

Thanx for all the good advice,  agree about not wanting to be treating birds at this time of year, I would just like to get into the habit of having them regularly tested,as the more I learn the more this seems the most foolproof way of knowing for sure that they are in good health,  I pleased to say that mine are all going through the molt nicely at the moment the testing idea is just part of my forward planning.