Young Bird Sickness

[peter pandy]

how long have you been using flightpath for peter?

I was working in Wales at the time and kept a couple of chickens and their was an article in a Chicken Magazine regarding Microbiodevelopement for chicks and investigated via the internet coming across trials by pigeon fanciers in 2004, So it must have been 2005 when I first started using it and have done ever since.

[ayelate]

I was working in Wales at the time and kept a couple of chickens and their was an article in a Chicken Magazine regarding Microbiodevelopement for chicks and investigated via the internet coming across trials by pigeon fanciers in 2004, So it must have been 2005 when I first started using it and have done ever since.

How were your young bird returns per race and did you complete the programme ?

[peter pandy]

How were your young bird returns per race and did you complete the programme ?

Got murdered by the moult as I dont send them when the fourth flight is out. From 56 trained and raced I finished with 48. Hardly dropped a young bird racing.

[joshua]

Same here I have heard of some right horror stories about the Nick o some youngsters getting sent on to the transporter don't know why some allow it they certainly would,not if they were in the club I fly in.

i dont believe any fancier would send a noticebly sick bird,why would you?and why would a member not speak out on seeing such a bird?

[Tony C]

i dont believe any fancier would send a noticebly sick bird,why would you?and why would a member not speak out on seeing such a bird?

Its a sad fact that there's folk out there that will knowingly send 'the better looking ones' whilst their teams infected with y/b/s just to remain in the averages. I feel doing away with young bird averages would be beneficial to all.

[geordie1234]

Peter can I ask a few question? How was your returns? How far behind the winners were you? How many ye send? out of the 48 how many races did they have?

 

Just trying to paint an acurate picture for myself? As I started with 50 and finished with 27 but they had 7 races week after week.... Just want to know if I can improve my returns... I know if I sent a handful every week that would help but that's no what I expect from my ybs

[aye ready]

bought flightpath when they first appeared on the scene and attended the blackpool show,used it for 2 years NO DIFFERENCE,save yourselves a lot of money and don't look for the preventative cos it's not there believe me I've tried everything, treat the secondary infection if it rears it's head,i've always used amoxicillin which I wouldn't go past but that's just me and the birds start to turn the corner after 3/4 days,by the way bert braspenning gets YBS every year and uses one of the top vets on the continent in dr van der sluis and if he can't prevent it what chance have we got and in my own opinion it's nothing to do with stress

[Roland]

I actually meant are they stressed racing every week or more content with a fancier who ain't bothered if he sends or wins every week.

 

 

But now that you have brought it up . .....can I take it from your post that you imagine winning lofts to be using high levels of meds which is affecting their health and then passing it on to your team that have not been ?

 

No! you may not Dal12.

But you may take it that you are suggesting that the 'Part Timers / fanciers as to 'Racers DON'T get Y/B's. Further then who must be saying that actually it is the stress, the sending week in and week out that is causing Y/B's!

Which in it's self you admit NOT all fanciers get young bird sickness! Fine. Further that it is due to racing too much. Now whatever the cause there must then stem from that aspect. be it stress, conditioned, weaken constitution etc. etc. Whatever!

So then one splitting their' race teams into 2 -3 - 4 teams augers well in regards maintaining a stress free loft and hence no Y/B's.

Thanks for clearing that up DAL12.

[Rooster J. Cogburn]

Think Martin is right re aw the wonder tonics etc.

 

To add my point of view to it I think it can be better avoided and controlled if we pay more attention to the bird's loft before worrying about supplements. Although I would say some of them are quite good.

 

I say this after hearing a top fancier talking about how the majority of fanciers usually put the biggest team they have, their youngsters, in the smallest of all their lofts or sections. Do you fall into this category?

 

Done a bit of looking into who I consider the be top YB fliers-the ones with the best results and best returns from every race.

 

Many of them have spacious lofts with perches and boxes far outnumbering the number of pigeons, as well as large aviaries attached where the birds can be out all day. Think this is a big thing as their won't be as great a chance of trapping as many viruses/bacteria in the loft.

 

I don't think this is the complete answer but I've tried to give the youngsters more space for the last couple years after being totally fed up with YBS and it definitely goes a long way to preventing serious problems and illness on an epidemic scale.

[lanarkshire lad]

bought flightpath when they first appeared on the scene and attended the blackpool show,used it for 2 years NO DIFFERENCE,save yourselves a lot of money and don't look for the preventative cos it's not there believe me I've tried everything, treat the secondary infection if it rears it's head,i've always used amoxicillin which I wouldn't go past but that's just me and the birds start to turn the corner after 3/4 days,by the way bert braspenning gets YBS every year and uses one of the top vets on the continent in dr van der sluis and if he can't prevent it what chance have we got and in my own opinion it's nothing to do with stress

Good post IMO you cant prevent it.

[aye ready]

John firstly on this subject, WE all know when some one get Y/B. Yet never mention or notice of course those that don't. I'd wager many can point to such fanciers. Indeed say 'HE never seems to get ailments, let alone y/b'. I often wonder how races are completed in when listening to the balaffa of y/b.

Why is it then some often have, and others never! Oh I know, they are fibbing...

To say ALL have had it is an insult of the highest order. Uncouth and bounds in ignorance.

As you ask on this domain John I will answer on here. Stress free! I know many that are often in the loft. They walk very slow and deliberate. Nigh all play up to him. He talks in a low voice and strokes, makes a fuss of them, even youngsters in the nest. Always has a tib - bit in their' pocket.

Any and every care is taken not to startle them. He never snatches at them when catching them etc.

Pigeons that will sun bathe in the garden and you have to step over them. They come TO HIM when called - especially to a woman's voice.

Incest breeding has so very many detrimental faults too to answer for... It weakens their constitution galore. In nature it never happens. It weakens much and has dire effects... Oh I know he and so and so do it ... Yes maybe, but never to race. Only for breeding purposes and then ALWAYS an out cross.... Vitality!

 

I do much of above except constantly handling them... Certainly not without a cause. Mine totally do as and when they like. From going in and out of the loft to enticed to pick around the garden. Flapping about roof hopping. Great shows in an instant any dire effects... and also state of mind and fitness, condition. No never have a problem trapping. They have a warm, dry safety in the loft which they quickly learn to fly to is so feeling a need. I leave a couple of handfuls every other day of garden lime overnight in the drinkers... Again a gap around the lid to allow the choline to dispense.

I. with the wife will sit out sunbathing and throw the odd tib - bit to them. Young and old alike will peck around the feet and on the seat etc.

Makes one think when all the thoughts say that they just don't know what causes it. The say it is Air borne etc. and one can't do oat....

I usually mate up in April... have late bred most years.

Admitted I may only have a couple or so of y/b races now... Lost interest and poor health.

So I believe out crossing for vitality and forget incest breeding - unless one understands it. (But then that is another topic). Treat them like mates, loved ones.

Had a mate, a very knowledgeable and great flyer that always has chipping, small (Gold) around the nest box. Said 'They love picking through that ... Keeps them calm and content... He never had y/b either.

Indeed thinking on my clubs... far more haven't I guess than do.

therefore roland before YBS cursed us all these years ago every fancier on the continent and and the british isles wen't about the loft as you have stated above otherwise YBS would have been with us from day dot or maybe it has and now it has manifested itself into what our birds get nowadays

[Delboy]

Peter can I ask a few question? How was your returns? How far behind the winners were you? How many ye send? out of the 48 how many races did they have?

 

Just trying to paint an acurate picture for myself? As I started with 50 and finished with 27 but they had 7 races week after week.... Just want to know if I can improve my returns... I know if I sent a handful every week that would help but that's no what I expect from my ybs

 

I like to test my ybs also, that's why I sent almost my full team ( 23 of 28 )to the yb National 300 miles.I ended up with 16/23 so can look forward to testing them even more this year

[blue pied]

I like to test my ybs also, that's why I sent almost my full team ( 23 of 28 )to the yb National 300 miles.I ended up with 16/23 so can look forward to testing them even more this year

That's good going how many ybs did u start with? Did u start with 28 or have 28 left at the ybn to choose from

[Delboy]

That's good going how many ybs did u start with? Did u start with 28 or have 28 left at the ybn to choose from

 

I started with 50 for racing, had a few stinkers before that., lost 22 racing sending all every week. I actually sent 10 to an extra race which turned out a stinker but I was lucky to get 10/10.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Delboy

[We man]

Just like to ask if young birds who have had ybs do they carry it in them as yearlings in some form or other or is completely out of their system,if not would breeding from them as yearlings be the reason some fanciers get it every year,only trying to learn from people more knowledgeable than myself Thanks.

[dal2]

Just like to ask if young birds who have had ybs do they carry it in them as yearlings in some form or other or is completely out of their system,if not would breeding from them as yearlings be the reason some fanciers get it every year,only trying to learn from people more knowledgeable than myself Thanks.

It can't be agreed what ybs actually is so don't know what test we could do one older birds to determine that...Wee need some clever folk to tell is exactly what it is......until then

[We man]

It can't be agreed what ybs actually is so don't know what test we could do one older birds to determine that...Wee need some clever folk to tell is exactly what it is......until then

Cheers,just hoping we might get them on here lol.

[C WRIGHT]

when were the 1st cases of ybs reported

does anyone know

[Ian McKay]

First time I saw it was Bournmouth 2002 :emoticon-0179-headbang:

[Tony C]

when were the 1st cases of ybs reported

does anyone know

In my loft, 20 odd years ago.

[Roland]

therefore roland before YBS cursed us all these years ago every fancier on the continent and and the british isles wen't about the loft as you have stated above otherwise YBS would have been with us from day dot or maybe it has and now it has manifested itself into what our birds get nowadays

???

 

Bit off that.

Again the pigeon 20 - 40 years ago were of a far better constitution than today's. Fact. Medicine etc. were hardly used - Para came as a shock. Birds flew week in week out, often full of canker etc.

Before the incest breeding took hold. Before any and everything was supposedly treated - so very often causing more hassle than not. When fanciers read an article and became so knowledgeable and - like today treat willy - nilly and even every 2 - 4weeks. Then Before and after EVERY races.

No a different time, and far better and stronger birds, that competed with same or better velocities.

And yes most fanciers did move around and treat their birds with care - love and far more considerate than today. They had to. When 24 birds WAS A MOB flyer. YET most season they had to cull to make room for the youngster. When they had to first earn a perch, and then a nest box.

The y/b sickness is a CURSE but man made.

[Wiley]

???

 

Bit off that.

Again the pigeon 20 - 40 years ago were of a far better constitution than today's. Fact. Medicine etc. were hardly used - Para came as a shock. Birds flew week in week out, often full of canker etc.

Before the incest breeding took hold. Before any and everything was supposedly treated - so very often causing more hassle than not. When fanciers read an article and became so knowledgeable and - like today treat willy - nilly and even every 2 - 4weeks. Then Before and after EVERY races.

No a different time, and far better and stronger birds, that competed with same or better velocities.

And yes most fanciers did move around and treat their birds with care - love and far more considerate than today. They had to. When 24 birds WAS A MOB flyer. YET most season they had to cull to make room for the youngster. When they had to first earn a perch, and then a nest box.

The y/b sickness is a CURSE but man made.

 

Interesting closing line Roland....But is young bird sickness really a curse? Some say it is such a bad thing, when i have to be honest, after i get it and my birds are over it, they perform much better race result wise then they did before the young bird sickness struck....and 9 times out of 10 cases ive never had to treat with medicine to get the birds over a case of it. Maybe ive been lucky as unlike some i have never lost a young bird to the virus either.

[Tony C]

???

 

Bit off that.

Again the pigeon 20 - 40 years ago were of a far better constitution than today's. Fact. Medicine etc. were hardly used - Para came as a shock. Birds flew week in week out, often full of canker etc.

Before the incest breeding took hold. Before any and everything was supposedly treated - so very often causing more hassle than not. When fanciers read an article and became so knowledgeable and - like today treat willy - nilly and even every 2 - 4weeks. Then Before and after EVERY races.

No a different time, and far better and stronger birds, that competed with same or better velocities.

And yes most fanciers did move around and treat their birds with care - love and far more considerate than today. They had to. When 24 birds WAS A MOB flyer. YET most season they had to cull to make room for the youngster. When they had to first earn a perch, and then a nest box.

The y/b sickness is a CURSE but man made.

I agree in part Roland but not wholly. It was the continentals that treated their pigeons in that way. Us daft Brits couldn't import these super pigeons quick enough and for that we (not all ) are now paying the price.

[Roland]

Wiley, point taken regards 'Curse'. I must agree too. But I was remarking on 'Aye ready's' comment /thought.

 

Agreed Tony.

It got so bad that a few years back (not so long ago) the 'GOVERMENT' had to step in regards their' drug uses, Such as Cortisone etc. Why? because it had got so bad it was affecting the sales so much. They took and prosecuted a few renowned 'Names'! That did the trick / job then. Unfortunately I see they are applying the same tactics again. Obviously due to similar concerns.

Another reason the RPRA are waving a flag about banned drugs being used on the racers. Injected aside of the breast bone etc.

I think to Tony too little too late again. Boils down to Money and Favours etc. Pigeons boosted and held together by drug use to sale on by unscrupulous 'feather merchants' and 'Names'..

Is it any wonder that our pigeons are so poor in the constitutions?

Have a few mates - Names- that go to Belgium often. Tell me that certain( Supposedly) 'Top Flyers' that are advertised, house hold names in this so called sport are not even known back in their' home countries.

I have never - certainly knowingly- ever mate close related birds. Not even cousins.

 

Happen yesterday. I went in and took the bowl for a quick scrape of perches and nest boxes. 5 or so have mushy droppings!

Did I hound back and raid the medicine chest? No1 Would have been a waste of time .A. I wouldn't have an inkling what to treat with. B. there isn't anything in there!

No, I thought 'What's up? O of course I changed their feed yesterday and fed only wheat.

Fed Beens and for got about it. Today great again. Another reason for feeding etc. same time each day. Ok later I will be feeding a trapping mixture in mornings and the a mixture I believe I think the birds could benefit from. Today I fed their normal Tic Beans, Wheat and Barley. Sunday just Barley.

[peter pandy]

Peter can I ask a few question? How was your returns? How far behind the winners were you? How many ye send? out of the 48 how many races did they have?

 

Just trying to paint an acurate picture for myself? As I started with 50 and finished with 27 but they had 7 races week after week.... Just want to know if I can improve my returns... I know if I sent a handful every week that would help but that's no what I expect from my ybs

Before I reply to your question I will have to mention that I have a brand new team and 2015 was the first young from them. They are Aardens from House of Aarden, Dennis Ford, Padfield Bros, T Gilbertson. Paired full moon 5th March. They were all vaccinated on leaving the nest and treated for Canker at the same time. Samples were taken from crop and droppings sent to DeWeerdt on 8th July and results came back slight canker so all birds treated for 7 days then given FlightPath. Their first toss was 12 miles and I sent 24 with 21 returning. next toss 21 miles with 21 sent 20 returned. Next 35 sent 35 home, Next day 35 sent 35 home. Race 1 sent 17 = 14 home 65 mls. race 2 sent 22 = 22 home. race 3 sent 14 = 14 home. race 4 sent none. race 5 sent 5 = 5 home. race 6 sent 8 = 8 home. race 7 sent 1 = 1 home. Now some had a couple of races and some only had one with some having nothing other than a 50 mile toss. I am only a member of Almond Valley Fed and compete for Fed positions only. I am not one who fills baskets and sends everything that has a pair of wings and select and send only those which I am confident of returning in their learning process. As you will have noticed they are bred for the distance and endurance and quite surprised me by taking 4 Fed and 1 Open position.