Stock Birds Pecking At Droppings

[Guest RJefferies]

Hi all Did someone perhaps have the same problem as I have now? My stock birds (hens & cocks) seem to be in good health, but after feeding them, they start pecking at the droppings I do give grit regularly and have now placed salt in the loft, which they do eat, but the problem is still there I last bred from them 6 months ago. I also notice one cock pecking away at the paint. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[andy Burgess]

well they are telling you they "want" something ?? what are you feeding at present ? do you give other minerals or supplements at all ??

[lanarkshire lad]

Heard a long time ago that its a lack of B12 in the diet.

[Guest RJefferies]

Found the following information on PIPA's - Ask the Vet page:

 

Why are my stock pigeons pecking their droppings? What is wrong?

Question by: g@t paisley

 

Answer by: Dr Ruben Lanckriet

 

Sometimes pigeons just do this out of stress or because they are bored (some pigeons tend to drink too much).

In any case it is not a bad idea to let the birds being checked for parasites, especially intestinal worm infestations. It could also be due to lack of calcium.

 

 

Could it be that a lack of calcium could cause such behaviour? I do give garlic, ACV and multi-vitamins regularly.

[lanarkshire lad]

Looks as if there bored out there skull and need a bit of sex.

[andy Burgess]

Found the following information on PIPA's - Ask the Vet page:

 

Why are my stock pigeons pecking their droppings? What is wrong?

Question by: g@t paisley

 

Answer by: Dr Ruben Lanckriet

 

Sometimes pigeons just do this out of stress or because they are bored (some pigeons tend to drink too much).

In any case it is not a bad idea to let the birds being checked for parasites, especially intestinal worm infestations. It could also be due to lack of calcium.

 

 

Could it be that a lack of calcium could cause such behaviour? I do give garlic, ACV and multi-vitamins regularly.

yes it could (although could be one or 2 others also) but it wouldnt be a bad route to go down first , Boots (the chemist) do a calcium tab for bone strength contain vitamins A,D & K ,one of these in the drinker once a week would do more good than harm ,give it a try and let us know .

[Rooster J. Cogburn]

Are they prisoners or do they fly out?

 

If prisoners do they have an aviary?

[Guest RJefferies]

Thusfar it seems that the problem could be a lack of B12 or Calcium, or Worms. Could this be it, or could there be any other deficiency?

[lanarkshire lad]

Thusfar it seems that the problem could be a lack of B12 or Calcium, or Worms. Could this be it, or could there be any other deficiency?

Yes lackanookie.

[Guest RJefferies]

Are they prisoners or do they fly out?

 

If prisoners do they have an aviary?

 

They are prisoner stock with a small aviary.

[Guest RJefferies]

Had to google Lackanookie first, and had a good laugh after discovering its meaning. Will add it to the list. Within a month from now i can remove Lackanookie from the list

[geordie1234]

Yes lackanookie.

Aye I can see how that's hard on the doos lol

[Guest RJefferies]

Thanks for the advice Gents, will keep you posted

[Guest geordiejen]

so when they need there nookie they start eating excrament,is that some sort of doo fetish.next they will be wanting glass tables in the loft.all the cock birds lying under it.i think i will leave it there.

[peter pandy]

Pigeons are easily bored and those kept on deep litter peck at the bedding and ingest some of the dry powdered droppings. In this way they are continually dosing themselves with faecal bacteria, similar to being dosed with probiotics.

[alex young]

Heard a long time ago that its a lack of B12 in the diet.

I think OLD HAND says this in one of his books.

[lanarkshire lad]

I think OLD HAND says this in one of his books.

You could be right i canny remember where i heard it or if theres any truth in it???as ive said before theres plenty old wifes tales in the pigeon game.

[peter pandy]

Pigeons are easily bored and those kept on deep litter peck at the bedding and ingest some of the dry powdered droppings. In this way they are continually dosing themselves with faecal bacteria, similar to being dosed with probiotics.

 

Vets Tips for Fanciers, Edited By Dr Zsolt Talaber, Page 147.

[Guest RJefferies]

Update: Stock birds were given Vitamin B12, Calcium and treated for Canker, Coccidiosis amongst other before pairing-up. They are quite fine and their off-spring are in good health. I have subsequently discovered the following in an article by Dr Colin Walker and I am now of the opinion that coccidiosis was the culprit, this explains the Vitamin B deficiency as the Coccidiosis parasite thrives on Vitamin B:

 

What is the significance of coccidiosis?

When the parasites are reproducing in the wall of the bowel they damage it. This means that the bowel cannot digest food and absorb nutrients properly. Affected youngsters usually lose a bit of weight and start to become a bit quiet. Often in race birds all that is seen is a loss of form. Powder down feather drop stops and some birds will develop a ‘pica’- pecking at perches or eating droppings apparently to source the nutrients they are missing.

 

http://pigeon24.com/view/15-the-maintenance-of-race-form-part-2-by-dr-colin-walker

 

Thanks for your advice and comments, it was highly appreciated.

[andy Burgess]

glad you got to the bottom of it all , well done.

[Guest Owen]

As far as the birds pecking at their droppings is concerned. It will do no harm providing the droppings are totally dry. However if there are damp patches you run the risk of them picking up cocci or worms. The droppings are some of the best probiotics your birds can have so as long as they are dry the droppings will do nothing but good. You need to be sure that you feed a good grit mixture, crumbled clay blocks and vitamineral fresh every day. Raw salt is not the best idea and I would not use it beecause it can dehydrate your birds and too much salt is a poison. The clay blocks contain kaoline which is an antidote to tannin which is contained in the brown coloured grain such as beans and peas. Tannin in high doses is a poison to most animals and birds. One symptom of of tannin intolerance is B12 deficiency which can cause pigeons to have a depraved appetite.

I think you should check your birds for worms and cocci because these things can cause a depraved appetite which will ruin there health in the long run. A heavy burden of worms or cocci will leave the birds weakened even if you do manage to eliminate them so it is worth a check to be on the safe side of things.

[Guest Owen]

As far as the birds pecking at their droppings is concerned. It will do no harm providing the droppings are totally dry. However if there are damp patches you run the risk of them picking up cocci or worms. The droppings are some of the best probiotics your birds can have so as long as they are dry the droppings will do nothing but good. You need to be sure that you feed a good grit mixture, crumbled clay blocks and vitamineral fresh every day. Raw salt is not the best idea and I would not use it beecause it can dehydrate your birds and too much salt is a poison. The clay blocks contain kaoline which is an antidote to tannin which is contained in the brown coloured grain such as beans and peas. Tannin in high doses is a poison to most animals and birds. One symptom of of tannin intolerance is B12 deficiency which can cause pigeons to have a depraved appetite.

I think you should check your birds for worms and cocci because these things can cause a depraved appetite which will ruin there health in the long run. A heavy burden of worms or cocci will leave the birds weakened even if you do manage to eliminate them so it is worth a check to be on the safe side of things.