USE
OF ACIDS IN PIGEONS
By Dr Colin Walker BSc, BVSc, MRCVS, MACVSc
(Avian health)
One of the ways that the bowel protects
itself from disease is through the maintenance of a weakly acidic
environment. They are able to do this because many of the normal
bacteria present, such as Lactobacillus, produce lactic acid. With
stress the Lactobacilli are one of the first bacteria to be lost
and so acid production falls and pH rises resulting in a less acidic
bowel. Potentially disease causing organisms such as E.coli, Salmonella
and yeast don’t
survive well in an acidic environment and so the loss of this acidic
environment creates a window of opportunity for these to establish
and multiply. Anything that re-establishes the normal acidic environment
quickly, minimises the chances of disease. One way of doing this
is by adding acids to the birds drinking water. Initially this may
seem a little bit strange, however, if done correctly it can be advantageous.
There are dose rates available for acids such as hydrochloric
acid, however, as these acids can be quite dangerous to handle
their use is not encouraged. There are two acids commonly used.
One is acetic acid. This is available as apple cider vinegar at
your local supermarket and the dose rate is 5ml per litre. Alternatively,
citric acid can be used. This can be purchased as a white powder
from the chemist ( we also stock it at the Knox Bird Clinic). Here
the usual dose used is 1 teaspoon (3grams) to 6 litres of water.
It is interesting that many of the older bird books recommend the
use of acids and suggest squeezing lemon juice or adding other
sources of citric acid to the birds drinker. Some old secrets still
work well today.
Used correctly, acids can do the birds no harm. Fanciers can use
them in a number of ways. Either to treat the birds when they are
diagnosed with E.coli or “thrush” (yeast) where they
are a handy way of controlling mild infection without resorting
to antibiotics. Alternatively, if the loft has on going problems,
a fancier can put them in the water for one or two days per week
as part of an ongoing health management programme, say on a Wednesday
and Sunday. Also, if fanciers experience predictable yeast or other
bowel problems following stress, say for example, following periods
of cold damp weather in an open loft, then when these conditions
occur he can put the acids in the water for one or more days to
head problems off.
With mild yeast or bacterial bowel upsets the use of acids often
results in the production of tight brown nut-like droppings with
reduced odour and a healthier looking bird. A failure to respond
indicates a more serious problem and veterinary assistance may
be required. |