help or advice wanted

jonny · October 8, 2009

asking for help or advice .. started the season off quite well.. later although my birds looked in good condition some handled very thin on the keel ,, tried changing the corn .... no success after speaking to other club members on marking night three of them had similar problems each had sent samples off to retford poultry for testing and all three had been prescibed aprolan .. so I sent my sample off to r p p and they tested for worms canker cocci and salmonella which all came back neg .. handling them tonight when they should be well rounded after little exercise and good corn the same pigeons that didnt perform well this season were the ones that still felt keely ( not in the breeding because there is a noticable difference in handling nestmates )

jonny · October 8, 2009

hi boxer these are old birds and young birds ..old birds topped the fed twice early in season then the problem arose and they flew crap after that.. then youngbirds flew crap

October 8, 2009

I think you should try to find out what has happened before you consider dumping them. And to do that you ought to go through the various tests carefully and methodically.

What are the droppings like, you did'nt say before? What feed are you using, where did you get it and how is it stored? How many of your birds are affected and where are they kept? Are they from the same compartment, age group or what?

Do the birds exercise freely or are they reluctant to come out? What is the breathing like? And what colour and condition are the eyes and wattles in? Have you checked the throat for colour and signs of damage? The slot at the back of the throat should be central and straight up and down, is your birds' like that?

You said that you have had the droppings tested. If I were you I would have them tested by someone close to you, so that you can see for yourself what is happening. Birds with, for example, hair worm are unlikely to be cured by just one treatment.

My suspicion is that your birds have paratyphoid which is very difficult to recognise in it's subclinical form. There are a lot of cases where this disease has not been found during lab tests. If my suspicions are right, you will need to deal with all your birds to ensure you have eliminated the disease completely. If you do not, you will have continual problems, because it will flare up over and over again. Particulary when the birds are under stress.

Where do you live? Perhaps we can find someone to help you with the microscope tests. There are a lot of very good Fanciers using microscopes these days. And, dare I say it, many of them will take more care than the Vets.

jonny · October 8, 2009

hi owen ,dont want to dump them want to cure them , I live in sunderland and have treated regularly for cocci ( coxoid ) canker ( cankerex ) worms ( moxydectin ) droppings have gave no cause for concern appearence of the birds has been fine but on handling they have appeared to have a lack of body surrounding the keel , not light but not well rounded and just off the pace on raceday ,,changed corn ,, something not right hence this post .. cheers jonny

October 8, 2009

jonny

it looks as if you are doing the right things. But I have to say that you really do need to carefully go through the list of possibilities.

One thing did strike me when I read your reply. Is it possible you have used far too much medication? I don't think medication should be used unless you know for sure that it is needed. I dislike the idea of routine treatment in case the birds have something.

Obviously, I can only guess at what may be happening but I hope my suggestions will help.

I have known the following problems. Bad corn from, both bad storeage and contamination before and after it was bought in. Overuse of medication. Hair worm and cocci that have not been cleared by medication. When ever these diseases are found the birds should be rechecked in four or five days to make sure they have gone. Paramixo and paratyphoid. If your birds have performed in the present loft, check to see what may have changed. Pay particular attention to the ventilation. Pigeons must have air movement up through their loft at all times. The majority of lofts do not have enough air movement. Watch to see if any of the birds yawn. This is important if they have not been fed recently. Yawning is a clear sign of canker. And that could mean that you will need to change the medication you have been useing.

I wish I could be more helpful. But, if there is anything you think that I can be of help with, let me know.

October 9, 2009

Mine were off form such as this last year, and the birds had a yeast infection??

October 9, 2009

paulrstokes is entirely right. Overuse of medication can lead to yeast infection. And unless it is diagnosed properly, it can give you a lot of problems. Yeast infections can be picked up with a microscope at 400 magnification. The cure is, rest, Lugols Iodine (Aqueous Iodine) in the water or Nafuramicine. I would not use Nafuramicine myself but I know that the Vets prescribe it. The best way to prevent it is to use fresh garlic and/or aloe vera regularly. And it is always a good idea to use multivits and probiotic after you have used any form of medication. The reason for this is, because medications can disturb or even kill off the gut bacteria that is need for health. One thing for certain is, that you can never get your birds into real form if you overmedicate.

My one suggestion is that you should consider buying a microscope and learn to use it. It will save you a great deal of hassle in the long run.