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Health Tips
(excerpts from Health Care Regimen, written by the Association
of Pigeon Veterinarians)
HANDLING OF FEED
There are only a couple of cautions necessary in the handling
of feed. It should be as clean and dust-free as possible. Feed
that is wet, or has been wet, should never be fed to your birds.
Damp food is every bit as disastrous as a damp loft. Store feed
in a manner that prohibits rodents from having a chance to be in
contact with feed. Basic steps such as removal of all feed from
the loft at night and storage in mouse-proof containers will
serve you well.
The addition of supplemental vitamins and minerals, most often
via the water, has become a common practice among pigeon
fanciers. During times of stress and heavy demands on your
birds, there may well be a benefit to the practice. As with most
things, however, moderation is recommended here. The pigeon has
evolved and adapted over time to the point that it receives most
all of what it requires from its diet. Remember, balance.
LOFT MANAGEMENT
Loft design should vary with the climatic conditions of a
given locale, but lofts should be built with foresight,
especially concerning ease of cleaning.
Raised floors (slatted or wire) or open bottom wire floors
have significant merit. Concrete floors are easy to clean and
disinfect, but may hold moisture at times.
Regular (preferably daily) scraping and a dry loft are of
utmost importance to prevent disease. Clean lofts mean healthier
birds.
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BIRDS IN TRAINING/RACING
In the first few days after weaning, you will want to have
the breeding mix readily available to youngsters. In what is a
brand new world to them, this is not yet the time to limit feed.
In addition, a four-week old youngster, though almost at his
mature size, still has some developing and growing to do. As the
young birds have settled to the landing board and are beginning
to fly around the loft, remember never to feed before they are
let out for exercise. As they complete their exercise and you
call them in for feed (using a whistle, feed can, or other
sound), put down some feed for them to find upon entering the
trap. A good rule of thumb is to feed only the amount that will
be cleaned up in 15 minutes. Dump any leftover feed. Exercise
and feed morning and evenings, you will find this approach will
give you the makings of a healthy yet disciplined young bird
team.
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INTRODUCING NEW BIRDS TO YOUR LOFT
It is a good habit to quarantine new birds. New birds should
be quarantined for 30 to 60 days, ideally. If birds don't appear
healthy, they should be removed from the general flock and
quarantined in cages that can be disinfected between cages.
It is a good habit to quarantine new birds. New birds should
be quarantined for 30 to 60 days, ideally. If birds don't appear
healthy, they should be removed from the general flock and
quarantined in cages that can be disinfected between cages.
Don't guess - get positive answers before random treatments are
used.
Most veterinarians can help even if they have no specific
interest or knowledge of pigeon diseases. They can at least
direct you to labs which can examine birds for diagnostic
purposes. The cost is usually very reasonable.
There are many veterinarians with an interest in avian
medicine and some specifically interested in pigeon medicine.
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