Guest Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Drops into the nostrils. Why pigeon fanciers have traditionally always been ready to put drops into the nostrils of their pigeons before a race and when they return. By doing this they hope to assist the breathing of their birds on their homeward flight, to have a positive influence on the results and to practise a kind of decontamination once the pigeon has returned to the loft. This rinsing of the nasal fossae (these are two cavities, separated by a central partition, which start with the nostrils in the front and open at the rear into the buccal cavity) has become a pointless action; there are many different products on sale and fanciers often wonder whether the procedure is effective and which product to use. We believe that it is right for a fancier to raise these questions, since it is important not to use just anything; it is absolutely essential to avoid the use of irritating solutions. The pigeons nostrils are in fact provided with a good filtration system and care must be taken not to damage it. The inhaled air passes through a labyrinth. The circumvolutions of the nasal fossae act like a filter which mechanically traps the very fine inhaled particles carried in the air. The sinuses are covered with specialised cells, cells with cilia and cells which secrete mucus which catch viruses and infectious particles in the inhaled air and prevent them from entering further into the respiratory system and causing infection in it. The trapped particles are moved back towards the outside by the mechanical action of the epithelial cilia and are finally ejected by sneezing. This is a noisy event to which fanciers are particularly attentive. As may be understood, this is flot always a symptom of infection but may well be a defence mechanism. On the other hand, when sneezing is frequent and runny noses are observed, it is probably the beginnings of a cold. We must therefore take the necessary steps to prevent the propagation of the infection to the trachea and bronchi. In most cases reinforcing the local immune defences and rinsing the nasal fossae with a sterile saline solution are sufficient to stop the infection in a few days. Isolating the pigeon in a sunny, well-ventilated place accelerates its recovery. If there is no improvement after a few days, a consultation with a vet specialising in avian medicine is called for. The nasal fossae are therefore the first line of defence so it is important to maintain these structures at any cost and to assist their function. Interaction with the normal microbial flora, the barrier of mucus and the specialised cells are the primary defence mechanisms which prevent infectious agents from invading the organism and causing infection in it. These barriers are non-specific and prevent a whole range of infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, yeasts etc.) from entering the organism. A fancier can easily understand that any damage to this system will have repercussions on the pigeons health, and hence on its condition and its ability to win prizes. We should beware of the repeated use of antibiotic drops as a preventive measure, since pathogenic bacteria have almost total resistance to the usual antibiotics; in addition they are ineffective against viruses and favour the multiplication of harmful yeasts such as Candida. Other preparations containing disinfectants often achieve the same undesired result by modifying the normal flora, thus weakening part of the defence mechanisms. We shall not mention here irritants, the use of which must be avoided at all costs because such irritating products cause irreversible damage to the epithehum with its cilia. As a general rule we should avoid everything which affects this defensive system and which will make the pigeon more susceptible to all types of infectious agent; among these factors we include inadequate diet, polluted air, poor hygiene and the preventive administration of inappropriate antibiotics which make the pigeon more susceptible to viral and parasitic infections such as candidiasis. Nature has provided the pigeon with an excellent means of resistance to infection. Let us leave it to work properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowy Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 read a good article in BHW, a fancier puts 1 drop of OLBAS OIL in each nest box, he said helps the birds breathe a bit better & himself, i tried it this morning, & after work popped in the loft & could still smell a slight minty smell, oh well better than garlic i suppose. ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Good minds must work alike, as I saw an advert on TV this morning and have just been to the shop to buy some to do exactly as you have suggested. Weird or what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westburylofts Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 have to agree with you sbelbin, you are both weird. LOL only joking with you RAY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westburylofts Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 ALL WAYS KNOWN YOU WAS A BIT WEIRD ROSE, LOL ONLY JOKING ;D ;D ;D :K) :K) :K) :'( :'( :'( RAY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy white Posted January 20, 2006 Report Share Posted January 20, 2006 WAS TOLD TO USE NASELINE AT ONE TIME,, TRIED IT ON MYSELF FIRST EYES WATERED ALL DAY NOSE RAN ALL DAY, NO WAY I WOULD USE IT ON PIGEONS, IF YOUR VENTILATION IS RIGHT AND THE CONSTITUTION OF YOUR BIRDS ARE RIGHT, YOU SHOULNDNT NEED ANYTHING [MIND YOU THE OLBAS OIL DOES SMELL NICE] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl Posted January 21, 2006 Report Share Posted January 21, 2006 I must be weird too,as i thought about using olbas oil also. so a drop on each pen,how often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewted Posted January 21, 2006 Report Share Posted January 21, 2006 hi jimmy,,,agree with you about ventilation,get that right and pigeons thrive,,,,,a lot of fanciers should read OLD HANDS articles on ventilation,i tried it with excellant results,,,,fanciers should at least read it,makes you THINK!!!!! then you would not need any medication or such like for respiratory problems,,,,,could save faciers heaps of money and pigeons more healthier,,,,bewted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowy Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I must be weird too,as i thought about using olbas oil also. so a drop on each pen,how often carl, i just put 1 drop in each nest box floor every 2-4 days, or put a little bowl of hot water in a spare locked nest box with a couple of drops in. smells fresh.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ribble Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 a guy i know soaks a small piece of sponge and pins it up in his loft.also read about another bloke who soaks a rag and places it in front of vent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slatey Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Hi all I put alabas oil on a rag on the vents also being using this for the last six years thursday take out fri morning, jimmy i use nazeline its a good product i use it every 5 to 6 weeks in racing season. but if you do use it i will give you a tip go to the house and dont go back until the next day or you will think you have killed the lot. tomo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedbird Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 yeah slatey your right it makes em grasp ive been told to use every week!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slatey Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 speedbird dont use it every week at least every four Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westburylofts Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 WE USE IT EVERY 3-4 WEEKS AS WELL RAY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perk Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 read some where best thing and free for pigeons is plenty of fresh air (bert somebody?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westburylofts Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 BRASSPENNING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perk Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 thank you westbury been out on the pop(pickled) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonchested Posted February 11, 2006 Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 I soak a beer mat in creosote and put it below the nestbowl. Keeps the birds healthy and keeps beasties away. ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsPigeon Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 I soak a beer mat in creosote and put it below the nestbowl. Keeps the birds healthy and keeps beasties away. ;D Is this creosote you use the same stuff they use to treat wood, like fence posts, the part you put in the ground? If it is they have banned it here where I live, WA, USA. Can't even buy it anymore. Not sure I would want my pigeon breathing it, it smells pretty strong even after years in the ground! I know I think it sure smells! :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Carol, I always used it and had no worries as far as the birds were concerned and not one of them asked me for a nose peg <VBG>. Yep it's the same thing as was used for fence posts, they seem to ban a lot of things here, can't even get my Wrights Coal Tar soap and more and the customs officers took my long awaited Beef Oxo cubes off him at the airport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Off my son I meant to say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsPigeon Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 the customs officers took my long awaited Beef Oxo cubes off him at the airport. What could possibly be wrong with Beef Oxo cubes???? Thanks for the info on cresote. I guess then when I'm smelling it on a sunny in the barn, because the uprights have been treated with it, it is getting rid of the bugs about. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CS Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Is there any else you want to say something about drops in the nostrils? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Was a Time when some, incuding a very good farmer fancier that would take all the birds out and repair a mite and soak his whole loft with creasote. Then 3 weeks or more later would add new litter, and then place soe sifted litter from the stuff took out and sprikle that on top before returning the birds ... not cleaed out again for a year or so... then ame again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paulo Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 What could possibly be wrong with Beef Oxo cubes???? Mad cow disease you lot are a bit paranoid about our meat products since the scare. Doesn't help Linda to get a nice bit of gravy for the sundays roast through lol. My mam uses wrights coal tar soap quality stuff for getting the muck off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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