The Joe Murphy Column 2/8/18

[THE FIFER]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

I start this week’s column by highlighting ‘Good SNFC Birds’ that have excelled in this year’s racing starting with J & J Hunt of Dundee Joe informed me that his blue bar cock SU 14 DF 1256 named ‘Cool Hand Luke’ that won from the Ypres national has now won his SNFC Silver Award for winning a section prize 3 times from the channel. His performances are as follows. As a yearling he won 8th section C 29th open from Eastbourne; then in 2016 he won 105th section C 428th open Littlehampton he was then sent to Ypres and won 21st section C 54th open.Last year he won 49th section C 167th open from Bedhampton and again sent to Ypres and he won 21st section 57th open. This year he has the same routine and won 68th section C 357th open from Buckingham before going to Ypres were he won 2nd section C 5th open and now wins his SNFC Silver Award. He also wins The Cher Ami Trophy for the first nominated pigeon in the race. The blue cock also requires ONE more inland section prize to gain a Meritorious Inland Bronze Award whether he goes for it or is retired; we wish Joe and ‘Cool Hand Luke’all the best for the future. Another outstanding pigeon flying into the Tayside area is ‘Angel’ bred and raced by Gerald Macpherson of Brought Ferry. This chequer hen won the Dewar Trophy last year for the best channel performance in 2017;she also won the Kardale Trophy for the 1st yearling flying over 500 miles in the Gold Cup race. She also won the SHU Friendship Cup for the outstanding yearling performances in 2017. Angel won 2nd section C 27th open Alencon flying569 miles she then won 3rd section C 17th open from Falaise flying 539 miles.This year 2018 she won 26^th section 59^th open SNFC Maidstone 390 miles she then 18th section C 85th open Liege flying 529 miles and this past week she won 10th section C 30th open Roye flying 522 miles. She is without doubt a wonderful pigeon to achieve so much at such a young age socon gratulations to Gerald and his ‘Angel’. I have attached a photograph of her to go with this article. Walter Boswell of Hamilton is another fancier who caught my eye while looking at the SNFC results, I highlighted hisg ood chequer hen ‘Louella Wee Jenna’ last week who won a SNFC Silver Award and included a photograph of her in my column he had previously won a SNFC Silver Award in 2015. Walter now wins his 2^nd SNFC Silver Award in 2018 with his chequer hen SU16L12650 who won 3rd section E 10th open from Liege Gold Cup race flying 533 miles; she then won 49th section E from Ypres flying 446 miles and then 5 days later won 2^nd section E 33^rd open from Roye flying 508 miles. I also noticed another of Walter’s pigeons a chequer hen SU15L14370 who won 11^th section E 143^rd open Ypres and 3^rd section E 37^th open Roye (well done on a wonderful season Walter Joe M). John Leggate of Ferniegair blue chequer hen GB16S06111 is another pigeon that had a very good season winning twice in the national being 1^st & 2^nd section which takes some doing as there are some excellent fanciers and birds competing into this west section area. John’s hen won 2^nd section E 9^th open from Liege flying 530 miles and then won 1^st section E 19th open from Roye flying 505 miles (outstanding well done John). Wilf Flockhart of Tranent dark chequer hen SU16A1346 known as the ‘Tame Hen’as she lands on Wilf’s hand looking for a peanut. She has previously won 114th section B 434th open Bedhampton flying 361 miles. She then won 43rd section B125th open from Ypres a distance of 426 miles in 2017. This year she won 6th section 24th open from Liege flying 506 miles and I noticed she just missed out on the Roye open result but won pools. Knowing Wilf he will just be glad to see his ‘Tame Hen’ home. This hen was bred by John Davidson of Ayrshire and contains Wilf’s family of birds crossed with Kerr Stainthorpe of Lesmahagow. Morris Brothers of Johnstone David & Robert’s blue bar cock SU15 1310 is another good pigeon to do well this year as he won 3rd section H from Liege flying 549 miles and then won 2nd section H from Roye flying 521 miles. Their chequer hen SU15 1344 won 1st section H 34th open from Reims flying 581 miles to add to her 1st region F 13th open Falaise win in 2017 flying 519 miles. Mylast but not least pigeon in this short feature is a blue white flight hen SU15DF1725 raced by Billy Bilsland of Ayton. From thel ongest national from Reims she won 72nd open but no section prize flying 526 miles, however she was up with the leaders from the Roye national winning 5th section B 17th open flying 471 miles. My congratulations to ALL the ABOVE pigeons and fanciers, on their outstanding achievements in this year SNFC races, there may well be more fanciers and birds that I have missed out. Therefore I ask these fanciers tosupply me with their bird’s details and I will willingly give them some publicity.I don’t have a great memory that can remember every bird or position that eachindividual bird has won. However their owners do as it is THEIR pigeon so can Iplease ask them to drop me an email or give me a phone and I will have great pleasurein highlighting them in my column.

Morris Brothers of Johnstone see text

Angel bred & raced by Gerald Macpherson see tex

 

 

 

Results

Angus Federation

 

From the Royerace flown in conjunction with the SNFC the convoy were liberated on Thursday 19^th July at 07-00 hours into a light west wind. Topping the federation and also 4^th & 5^th fed as well as being 1^st 5^th & 70^th open SNFC is Ian Scott from Forfar. Charlie & Glen Cameron of Arbroath club are 2^nd & 6^th fed with their winner being 3^rd & 71^st open SNFC. G Campbell of Montrose is 3^rd federation with the Macaulay Ferguson& Curran partnership in 7^th spot with Willie McKnight of Forfar in is in 8^th & 13^th places. Kenny Droog & son of Forfar are 9^th with Kevin J Murphy from Arbroath in 10^th11^th & 14^th places. Eric Galloway of Forfar is 12^th with Less McKay of Arbroath club in 15^th & 17^th open M Wallace of Montrose club is 18^th with David J Liddle of Forfar taking the last position.

 

Arbroath RPC

 

From the Royerace 4 members sent 26 birds liberated at 07-00 hours into a light west wind the only pigeon on the day was to Charlie & Glen Cameron. They timed in heir 2^nd pigeon early next morning just after 6am. 3^rd 4^th& 5^th is Kevin J Murphy with Les McKay in 6^th & 7^th positions. Charlie & Glen’s club winner is 2^nd section C 3^rd open SNFC Roye he is a 2 yeardark chequer widowhood cock called ‘Branch’. He scored at the SNFC Bedhampton race in 2017 as a yearling and flew out to Buckingham with the national this year only just missing the prizes list. Unfortunately he returned with his foot badly injured as a result ‘Branch’ was stopped for the year. Over the next 6 weeks of inactivity he recovered and in the last 2 weeks he took a shine to flying round the loft and was sent to a 100 mile comeback race. The night before basketting he flew himself into selection for the Roye race by exercising 1 hour longer then a the rest of the team. As a result he took over the other candidates and was sent as the partnership’s nominated pigeon.

Sire is a direct Leon Messiaen from Leon's pigeon the ‘Perpignan’ a great racer and potentially a better breeder. Leon is renowned for his results with a small team from Barcelona. The dam is direct from the family Malfait. The 2^ndc lub winner is a 2 year old hen from Keith Bush crossed Leon Messiaen bloodlines. We were especially glad to see her as she's is the dam of our 2^nd open SNRPC Arras winner.

 

Grampian Combine

 

The Ypres result had 33 members sending 333 birds, these were liberated at 06-45a m into a North West wind. Billy McEwan had a great race being 1st 7th 8th & 15th with J & J Hunt in 2nd place Mark Young was 3rd 5th 24th & 25th with harlie & Glen Cameron in 4th place. Brice McKenzie is 6th 13th & 22nd with Forfar’s Davie Glen in 9th & 23rd spot. Kevin J Murphy is 10th 11th& 28th with John Wiseman in 12th 16th & 30th. Ian Scott is 13th &18th with John Duthie in 17th & 20th place. Jim Lawrence is 19th & 26th with David J Liddle in 21st & 27th and Davie Nicoll is in 29th position.

 

Almond Valley Federation

 

News from Lynne Stewart of the Stobs Camp race held on 21^st July with 734 youngsters being liberated at 11:30 hours. Taking the first 2 in the race is Dougie Bald of Balerno with Wells & Scott of Forth & Clyde in 3^rd &13^th positions. Jimmy Young of East Calder is 4^th with Vic Couper of Forth & Clyde in 5^th place. His club mate GeordieHarris takes the next 7 positions plus 16^th & 17^th open. Mr & Mrs J C Angus Beaton of Armadale are 14^th open with club mate D McBeath in 15^th 18^th 19^th & 20^th positions.

 

Club Winnersas follows;

 

Armadale 478 birds; 1^stMr Mrs J C Angus Beaton 865.375, D McBeath 863.828, 853.657, 853.271

 

Balerno 47 birds; 1^stD Bald 899.756, 897.381, C Bain 849.740, 659.546

 

Carnwath 22 birds;

 

East Calder 62 birds; 1^stJ M Young 886.716, 792.029, 778.786, J Burnside 738.800

 

Forth & Clyde 134 birds; 1^stWells & Scott 891.789, V Couper 886.315, G Harris 885.880, 885.056

 

Ayrshire Federation

 

News from Archie McIntyre of the federation final old bird race in their calendar this was once again another joint convoying venture with the SNFC from Ypres; with Ayrshire having a good turnout for this race with 182 birds. Once again there was a not enough SNFC baskets at the marking station,and again, Ayrshire federation creates had to be used to get the birds basketed and across to their collection point. Taking 1^st fed this week on 1220.8 and for the 2^nd year running from Ypres is Hugh Wallace of Darvel HS. Hugh timed his yearling chequer cock to record 1^st fed, 1^st section H 1^st region. He was sent to race growing his 3rd flight and feeding a 32 day old young bird on the floor. Sire is Jan Aarden bred by Peter Virtue while the dam is one of Hughie’s original Etienne Meirlaen stock birds bought at Brian Jones of Crewe reduction sale. He had 2 races as an young bird,4 races up to 200 miles this year and then trained with Ypres in mind. Taking 2nd & 3^rd fed Ypres is Robert Reid of Beith, a man who needs nointroduction to being there or thereabouts when it comes to the distance sracing into Ayrshire. Robert had a fantastic race from Ypres timing 4 pigeons on the night and another three pigeon the next morning. 2^nd fed, 2^nd section H and 231^st open for Robert is a light chequer hen SU14A7739 bred down from Robert’s old stock pair. Her sire was bred in year 2004 and had at least first federation prizes and diplomas with the SNRPC. ‘He was one of those pigeons when stuck for something to pool the money always went on him’. This cock was bred down from Robert’s old McEwen pigeons which he introduced last century. The dam of “7739”was a pigeon bred by Ken Buchannan. SU07L20225 while mated with the 2004 cock they produced several good pigeons for Robert. Last Year “7739" lost out on a possible 1^st section from the Gold Cup race being timed just yards outside of race time in a race very few pigeons overall were timed in.This year the target race for “7739” was again the Gold Cup. She had several races then returned from Buckingham on the 2^nd day with an injury toher back. She took 12 days to lay so Robert decided it would be unfair to send her to the Gold Cup and she was prepared for Ypres. 3^rd fed is a chequer cock SU15A2596. He was lost in his first race as a youngster but returned a fewweeks late. He has been lightly raced since but had both Buckingham and Maidstone before going to Ypres this year. He was sent to Ypres with his hen having just laid her first egg on the day before basketting. His sire is a pigeon Robert purchased from Robert Anderson of Kirkintilloch whose dam won the section from the Gold cup (year and race point unknown). Dam of 2596 is a chequer stock hen bred on the lines of the 2004 sire of “7739”. When I was up catching a photo of Robert’s 2^ndfed Ypres pigeon I took the opportunity to also take a photo of Robert’s timer the day before my visit from SNFC Roye. Once again Robert’s pigeons have put upa fantastic performance to record 1^st section H, 69^th open Roye flying 520 miles timing her a 06:02 the following morning. Robert was telling me this his is related to his 2^nd fed, 2^nd section H, 231^st open Ypres pigeon “7739”. Fantastic pigeon over here into the west of Scotland well done Robert.

 

North Section115 birds; 1st & 2nd Robert Reid (Dalry H S) 1093.2 and 1041.0

 

3rd Tom Smith(Dalry HS) 1006.4

 

Central Section40 birds; 1^st Hugh Wallace (Darvel HS) 1220.8 2^nd Harvey Pollock (Irvine HS) 1036.4 3rd Welsh & Holland (Darvel HS) 874.5

 

South Section27 birds; 1st, 2nd and 3rd Cree & Cuthbert (Whitletts & Dist) 1024.4,721.9 and 678.0

 

Fife Federation

 

Members sent 133 birds with the SNFC to Roye for their last old bird of the season; these were liberated at 07-00 hours into alight west wind. Topping the west section and federation is Jim Doig of Lochgelly club with Willie Pratt of Crossgates in 2^nd & 6^th west section 2^nd & 11^th open. Davie Jack of Tayport is 1^st east section 3^rd open with S Donaldson of Perth 4^th open 3^rd west section. Turpie & McCord of Glenrothes club are 1^st2^nd & 4^th centre section 5^th 24^th& 33^rd open with Ronnie Stevenson of Leven 2^nd east section 6^th open. A Whittaker is 3^rd east section 7^thopen with Alastair McCudden of Crossgates club 4^th & 10^th west section 8^th & 16^th open Brian Chalmers of Kennoway is 4^th east section 9^th open followed by R Cookin 10^th & 13^th open 5^th & 8^thwest section 3^rd centre section 28^th open is Sean Diamondof Kennoway with Jocky King of Novar in 5^th section 35^thopen. My thanks to Geordie Todd for the federation result.

 

North of Scotland Federation

 

For the firstyoung bird race of the season we had 39 members sending 1147 birds at Brechin;With the east section having 21 members sending 725 birds; and the west sectionwith 18 members sending 422 birds these were liberated into a west to southwest wind into a blue sky. Taking the first 3 places in the east section andopen is A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District club with the 2 of them doing1446 velocity. G & M Williams of Peterhead & District are 4^th &10^th section and open. R H Whyte of the same club is 5^th& 6^th section and open with club mate George P Taylor taking thenext 2 places in section and open. J Abel of Devern Valley is 1^st 2^nd3^rd west section 11^th 18^th & 19^thopen with Fulton & Ritchie of the same club in 4^th 5^th& 8^th west section 20^th 21^st & 28^thopen. Their club mate G Wilson is 6^th west section 22^ndopen with A Wilson of the same club in 9^th & 10^thsection 29^th & 30^th open.

 

Club First Birds as follows;

 

A W Buchan ofFraserburgh & District; G & M Williams of Peterhead & District; JAbel of Devern Valley; A Robb of Inverurie; A Higgins of Fraserburgh West End;A Cruickshank of Keith; D Andrews of Elgin & District.

 

Well done toAlex Buchan on winning the federation and to J Abel on winning the westsection. That’s it for this week Joe wishing you all the best George.’

 

YOUNG BIRD DISEASE

 

As we all know the above is rife at this time of the year and after receiving this from Philip Cooper I thought I would use it to help fanciers out. Philip wrote; ‘Hope all is well, I recently read this article and found it very interesting but I bet you have seen it before; What is it and what to do about it? by Dr. ColinWalker B.Sc. B.V.Sc.M.A.C.V.S (avian health) The term ‘Young Bird Disease’ refers to a condition where young pigeons, usually in the first few weeks after weaning become quiet, fluffed, lose weight, develop a green mucoid diarrhoea and die.The cause is a virus called Circo virus. The term ‘Young Bird Disease’ is in my mind a poor one and one that I think should be abandoned. The problem is that it groups a whole lot of diseases that cause similar symptoms into a single category. As the way these diseases are caught, transmitted and indeed treated are different they need to be differentiated. Fanciers run the risk of seeing any young pigeon with these symptoms and simply putting them down to ‘Young Bird Disease’ when in fact all he is acknowledging is that the young pigeon issick with wasting and diarrhoea. Coccidiosis, Adeno-coli syndrome, Chlamydia,Salmonella, E.coli, Herpes virus, thrush, hair worm infection, internal canker,Aspergillus and many other diseases can all cause similar symptoms. A much better term which actually states the true nature of the infection would be Pigeon Circo Virus Disease, so that instead of a fancier saying his pigeon had‘Young Bird Disease’, the fancier would say, after an accurate diagnosis that his pigeons had Pigeon Circo Virus Disease. Circo virus is an infectious transmittable virus that spreads from one bird to another. The virus is shed in droppings, tears, saliva and possibly also feather debris. Once in the loft it can be assumed that every pigeon will be exposed to the virus and that the vast majority will actually become infected. Typically however only about 5%actually show symptoms, while the other 95% although infected with the virus do not develop clinical symptoms i.e. do not become sick. If tested at this time,they will return a positive result and are infected, but look completely normal sitting on the perch. Birds that do become sick develop the typical symptoms of weight loss, lethargy, diarrhoea and some will develop yellow scum in the mouth. These birds almost invariably die. The ones that do not become sick after a period of time clear the virus from their system. We do not currently know how long this takes but it is thought that the majority will clear thevirus from their system in about 4 to 6 months. There is the possibility however, that some birds will fail to clear the virus and remain as persistent carriers. The significance of Circo virus infection is that while the virus is active in the bird it interferes with the functioning of the immune system.Specifically it targets a particular type of white blood cell called the Tlymphocyte. This means that the pigeons ability to resist other infections is compromised while the virus is active. For this reason in some parts of the world Pigeon Circo Virus is called pigeon AIDS. Often what alerts us to a Circovirus infection is an increased incidence of these secondary diseases. If your birds are experiencing a higher level of canker or eye colds than normal or if the problem quickly comes back after treatment it may be that Circo virus is the underlying cause. When disease proves difficult to control or behaves in an unpredictable manner it’s always worthwhile asking your vet to check for a concurrent Circo virus infection.

 

Two Waves of Loss

 

Typically when Circo virus gets into a loft there are two waves of loss. The first of these occurs when the virus first enters and works its way through the loft. As mentioned earlier, about 5% of the birds will be lost. As the weeks role by after the last death it is easy for the fancier, who has not been to a vet, to think that the problem is now past. In fact all of the surviving birds in hisloft, which may look completely normal are now infected with the virus and until they throw the virus off in a couple of months, have an impaired immune system and increased vulnerability to secondary disease. Typically these secondary diseases are wet canker and Chlamydia (respiratory infection)although they can be any disease. Pigeons rely on exposure to a whole range of potential disease causing organisms during growth including these two to develop a good natural immunity. If Circo virus is active this immunity comes,but takes much longer. This is where the second wave of loss occurs. Fancier swho fail to identify and manage these problems tend to lose a lot of pigeons tossing and in the early races. It’s not that the pigeons are not any good,it’s just that too much is being asked of them. If they were ‘nursed’ along until a bit older and any secondary diseases monitored and treated as required many of these lost young birds would go on a make good race birds.

 

How Does the Disease Get Into the Loft?

 

Often the virus enters with a young bird deliberately entered from another loft where Circovirus is active. Remember that 95% of young birds in an infected loft do not show any symptoms, and so this introduced youngster does not have to look sick or in fact ever get sick. It will however shed the virus and infect other birds for several months until it, like the majority of birds, clears the virus from its system.

 

How is theDisease Diagnosed?

 

It is very easy. The disease can be diagnosed from a single drop of blood. In Australia test kits are mailed to fanciers. All the fancier does is *expletive removed* the birds toe,just above the claw. When a drop of blood oozes onto the skin it is wiped off with a thin strip of supplied blotting-type paper and placed into a small clip lock plastic test tube. This is then mailed to the vet for testing. Once collected the sample is good for weeks, and so there is no problem if it takes a couple of days for the sample to reach its destination. The test is called a PCR and checks for Circo virus DNA in the birds’ blood. It is very accurate and in Australia costs the equivalent of 25 pounds or US$50. Of interest, Chlamydia infection can also be checked from the same sample.

 

The disease canalso be diagnosed through microscopic examination of tissues collected duringan autopsy. Here, the tissues are stained so that the virus can actually beseen. In other birds including parrots a HI/HA blood test is also availablethat tests for viral protein and also the amount of immunity already formed bythat bird.

 

What to do ifYour Birds have ‘Young Bird Disease’ i.e. Circo virus infection?

 

The first thing to do is accurately establish the diagnosis. This means contacting the vet. If you have several young birds become sick, don’t assume a diagnosis. The problem may be Circo virus or it may be one of the other problems mentioned earlier.Don’t rely on the old guy down at the club or your neighbour who also races pigeons. They don’t have the diagnostic testing available and this simply wastes time. Similarly don’t go to the local dog and cat vet. If he doesn’t doa lot of bird work, he can’t be expected to know and it is therefore unfair tob e critical of him. Go to a qualified avian vet or a vet with a lot of bird experience. It’s worth mentioning here that avian birds can be thin on the ground, but you don’t have to be near one. Phone to have a test kit mailed out to you or organize to send a live bird to them via courier. 50% of thet housands of fanciers who use my clinic as their veterinary provider live moret hat 50 miles from the clinic.

 

Do bear in mind that antibiotics kill bacteria but not viruses. There is no medication that can be routinely prescribed that directly kills viruses. This means the infection needs to be brought under control by other means. In some areas of the world avaccine for pigeon Circo virus is available. Where it’s available routine vaccination of 6 week old youngsters is recommended.

 

What to do ifthe problem is diagnosed in your loft

 

In the face ofan outbreak, where available, all youngsters should be vaccinated. After this the following 4 point plan is adopted: separate sick birds; treat them with abroad spectrum antibiotic e.g. Baytril 2.5% four drops once daily orally and ananti-canker drug e.g. Spartix 1 tablet daily. And place an electrolyte/gluco sepreparation e.g. Electrolyte P180 in the water. If the birds fail to respond ina few days, they are often best eliminated. to minimize viral build up in the loft ensure the loft is regularly cleaned and kept clean and dry. care for the birds as well as you possibly can so that the majority can mount a good immune response to the virus i.e. ‘fight’ the disease. This means, no over-crowding, agood diet, good parasite control and treating any secondary diseases identified through testing.

 

give probiotics, giving probiotics e.g. ‘Probac’ will decrease the impact of the disease. This is not a treatment for sick birds but if a bird is exposed to Circo virus while it is on probiotics it is that much harder for the virus, orat least an overwhelming dose of the virus, to infect that bird. I usually recommend ‘Probac’ be placed in the food or water for 2 weeks initially andt hen for 2 to 3 days each week until the virus has worked its way through the birds i.e. it has been several weeks since a bird has got sick. After this do nothing except provide good care until the start of tossing. Then have the birds checked i.e. crop flush, fecal smear and Chlamydia test by a bird vet.Any disease that the bird has not developed a good immunity against i.e. still detectable should be treated and controlled so that the second wave of loss is voided. Do note that killing sick birds is not a way of eliminating the disease from the loft because the majority of infected birds show no symptoms. Although it can be frustrating to lose 5% of the youngsters, the important thing to remember is that 90% of the birds in a typical out break do not die. The teamis therefore essentially intact and with correct management can still go on and win if the birds are good enough. A good thing is that it appears that recovered birds do develop a good immunity to the disease. This has been shown to occur with Circo virus (a different but related virus) in parrots. It also appearst hat this immunity can be passed through the crop milk and indeed the egg (the yolk which is sucked into the abdomen during development, contains lots o of antibodies and hatching chicks also gulp and swallow some of the egg white(which also contains immunoglobins) which coats the lining of the bowel).Because of these and other factors the effect of the virus dramatically reduce each year.

 

Joe’s Joke

 

A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. Shes tarted her class by saying; ‘Everyone who thinks they’re stupid, stand up!’After a few seconds little Jamie stood up. The teacher said, ‘Do you think you are stupid, Jamie?’ ‘No Miss, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself’.

 

 

Please continue to keep the news flowing;to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY14BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLEor log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.ukand www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing theBasics! Whowish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland

 

© Compiled by Joe Murphy

[THE FIFER]