Dr Colin Walker
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Investigation of High Mortality Rates in some Brisbane Lofts.
Update 6 5th March
QBS have now tested 6 birds from one affected loft for PPMV by PCR. All tests returned a negative result. This means that either the current problem is not PPMV or QBS’ PCR primers are not broad enough to pick up a variant. QBS is continuing with virus isolation from fresh tissues collected from the latest birds that were submitted. Some viruses can be hard , and slow, to grow so these results may take some time. Dr Anthony Chamings from Deakin University has contacted me. He has been following the investigation and has offered non targeted pathogen detection using a genome sequencer . His offer and help are much appreciated. This is not a fast turn around test, but it can detect a wide range of viruses even if they are genetically different and don't come up in current PCR tests - and so it is useful in the situations where you suspect a novel pathogen. It can also pick up bacteria, although it has been optimized to focus on detecting viruses. He has used this technique in several bird species (chickens, ducks and wild birds - including a native pigeon), pigs, dogs and humans to detect a wide range of viruses.
So , with the negative PMV PCR tests the diagnosis is once again open and the diagnostic process continues.
Update 5 , Monday 2nd March.
Correspondence has been received from Queensland Biosecurity yesterday
“Dear All,
For your information, please find the following dot points on the recent reported racing pigeon mortality in Queensland:
Dennis has provided the following information.
“PiCV-1 ( pigeon Circo virus) is known to be very widespread also in healthy pigeon populations worldwide. Thus, its detection is not unexpected and it does not necessarily indicate an association with the disease. So far, evidence for a causative role of PiCV-1 is still missing, but if it played a role as a pigeon pathogen, it would more likely support other diseases by causing immunosuppression rather than being a candidate itself for directly causing an acute disease such as this one. I totally agree with you, that it may contribute, but is unlikely to be the major (let alone sole) causative agent.”
Dennis also raised the possibility that the Rota PCR tests have returned a negative result because they are insufficiently broad and may not be designed to detect a broader spectrum of variants. The same may apply to any PMV PCRs that are subsequently done.
Apparently the illegal importation of live vaccines occurs in Brisbane. A number of fanciers have told me that this occurs. Also some fanciers, against veterinary advice, use the live NDV4 vaccine to immunize their birds against PMV. The big concern is that viral recombination can occur to create a new variant. This happens when fanciers use a live vaccination in a situation where a viral disease is common. If birds become infected with the “wild” virus after vaccination with a live vaccine there can be genetic sharing ( recombination ) to create a new variant.
A document downloaded from the NSW DPI website was sent to me by the secretary of the QPF last week. The document recommends the use of NDV4 in pigeons. Some of my response to the NSW DPI is below.
“In 2012 when Peter Scott, Tim Wilson and myself ran the 18 month PPMV vaccination trial proposed by the CCEAD we found that NDV4 , 2 doses 4 weeks generated transient, low levels of immunity and failed to provide protective levels of antibodies in all birds. By comparison one vaccination of killed La Sota generated protective levels in 70% of birds after 4 weeks and 4 weeks after a second shot all birds had protective levels with some birds having titres 3 xs what was regarded as protective. As a result we did not recommend the use of NDV4 to protect pigeons against PPMV. The results of the trial were published in the Australian Veterinary Journal ,from memory, in 2013. The results of the trial were used by Zoetis and as a result their Poulvac Newcastle iK vaccine has a claim, on the label, for use in pigeons.”
Yet , the advice to use NDV4 is still on the NSW DPI website. No wonder fanciers are confused
NDV4 generates immunity in chickens that lasts only 10 weeks. A similar trend was noticed when tested in pigeons. When given in the water, a full dose must be ingested within 2 hours otherwise the vaccine is inactivated by UV light and heat. Regularly giving this to large numbers of pigeons that are regularly at liberty in a situation where the “wild” PMV virus occurs and then putting into this mix the use of illegally imported live vaccines is, in my mind, a recipe for disaster.
Based on the clinical symptoms, clinical presentation and the test results already available the current thought is that the cause of the disease problem in Brisbane is a vaccination failure and that the affected birds do, in fact, have PMV. This is being exacerbated in some lofts by a concurrent Circo virus infection. If this is the case it means that fanciers can easily protect their lofts by following the recommended vaccination protocols. The problem has however not been definitively diagnosed and fanciers should be wary , at least for the time being ,of moving birds within Queensland and most certainly out of Queensland.
Update 4, Friday, 26th February
And so what has been happening this week as far as diagnosing the cause of the high mortality rate disease affecting lofts in Brisbane? Results were received yesterday (25th Feb) from Queensland Biosecurity (QBS). Fanciers will recall from an earlier Update that Queensland Biosecurity had requested 3 sick birds and 3 freshly dead birds for further diagnostic work . These were taken to QBS last Friday (19th Feb). During the week diagnostic work has been proceeding. The 6 birds were all autopsied and histopathology (microscopic examination of tissues) performed. Microscopic examination of blood smears from 2 of the birds and microscopic examination of the crop contents of all 6 birds have been done. Bacterial cultures of the cloaca of 4 of the birds have also been done. Cloacal swabs from 4 of the birds were also cultured for Salmonella. Droppings from 2 of the birds were examined for coccidia , worms and Cryptosporidia. All of the above tests failed to identify any disease problem.
Tests planned for the future by QBS are fungal cultures, Circo and Herpes PCRs, also PCRs for Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE)and Kunjin virus as well as virus isolation by cell culture.
All of these tests, except the virus isolation by cell culture and the tests for Kunjin and MVE, are repeat tests that have already been done on a number of birds from multiple lofts with negative results.
I rang the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory last Monday (22th Feb) and spoke to the pathologist. She was unable to advise on how long testing would take and also what would be the diagnostic process if all of the current tests were non-diagnostic. I was advised that there was no point in ringing and that results would be reported when they were available. I rang the office of the Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer on both Monday (22nd Feb) and also Thursday (25th Feb) this week. I was advised that there are no phone numbers or emails available for this contact but that an email could be sent on my behalf. I asked for this to be done but as yet have had no response.
I must say that, after dealing with the receptive, collaborative approach of DAFWA (in WA), PIRSA (in SA) and DEPI (in Vic) I am not accustomed to dealing with disease investigations in this manner. At the moment, the pigeon racing sport in Australia is totally in the dark. Standard tests have ruled out the common diseases. We know that a disease causing high mortality has been affecting multiple lofts in Brisbane, most likely since the end of last year. Several fanciers either directly or through their veterinarians have submitted birds for testing. The same tests have been repeated on birds from each loft but have failed to identify the cause. In the meantime, not only do deaths continue but fanciers from around Australia are becoming increasingly anxious given the fact that birds are moved around the country. Having had the experience of two nationwide avian epidemics in the last 8 years, which each killed thousands of pigeons and not only disrupted racing but the sport generally, this is totally understandable. There has been no release from QBS to fanciers suggesting a restriction on bird movement. There has been no information release, guidance or indeed any notification to the sport while the investigation continues. Obviously veterinary results cannot be released without the fancier’s permission but this has been given to QBS and QBS has also been advised that I am making enquiries on behalf of the Queensland Pigeon Federation (QPF) .
We don’t have a time frame. We don’t have a plan. It is not apparent how to obtain these. The fanciers who have submitted birds for testing want to have answers for themselves but also for the sport of which they are members. The sport is looking to QBS for advice at the moment but unfortunately is not getting it.
Update 3, 22/2/21
Today has been a frustrating day with little to report. The further samples requested by Qland Biosecurity ( 3 sick live birds and 3 fresh dead birds ) were taken to their facility on Friday morning. I have spoken to the attending pathologist at Qland Biosecurity, Dr Shirley Turner, today. Apparently the histopathology results that might have been available today will now not be ready until tomorrow at the earliest and may in fact take several days. An article about the outbreak of disease in racing pigeons in Brisbane is planned to appear in this week’s Weekly Times. The Weekly Times has interviewed me about the deaths and plans to talk to a fancier with affected birds. The Weekly Times has also contacted Queensland Biosecurity for comment and has received a brief statement. What official advice Qld Biosecurity has for owners with affected lofts remains unclear. I have rung Allison Crook, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Queensland and left a message asking her to contact me. It is now a matter of waiting for the histopathology results and then speaking to Qland Biosecurity to see what will be the next diagnostic step.
Second Update -- 18/2/21
PCRs testing for Herpes virus were done on 5 birds. These results are now back. All returned a negative result. The further samples required for diagnosis are being taken to Queensland Biosecurity tomorrow morning. It is anticipated that further results will be back by Monday afternoon. In the meantime there have been a number of enquiries from outside the pigeon sport. The Media Statement below has been released. I wrote the release and it was circulated to all members of the Victorian Racing Pigeon Board for authorization prior to release. Test results and information about the disease will be posted on this site as they become available.
Media Release
Dr Colin Walker 0412 481 239
Veterinarian, Victorian Racing Pigeon Board.
A disease has been killing thousands of racing pigeons in Brisbane and SE Queensland over the last few weeks.
Queensland Biosecurity has yet to diagnose the cause. No formal restrictions are in place limiting pigeon movement to other areas or states of Australia.
Thousands of racing and show pigeon enthusiasts keep hundreds of thousands of pigeons up the eastern seaboard of Australia. The birds, together with associated feed, veterinary and transport businesses, underpin a multi-million dollar industry.
Pigeons are unique among domestic and pet birds in that they are released from their lofts each day for exercise. They are also taken distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometres, from their lofts to find their way home. This exposes them to many other birds including domestic poultry and native birds.
The impact , if any, of this current disease on domestic poultry is not known.
Pigeons travel long distances and can act as health radiators. Pigeons can carry West Nile virus and infect crows and ravens, causing significant mortality in these birds. Similarly pigeons can carry Avian Influenza virus transmitting this to native water birds particularly ducks, also causing high mortality in these birds. Australian birds of prey, notably Brown Goshawks, which predate on lost pigeons, can catch Paramyxo virus from these birds and die.
Australia has 23 species of native doves and pigeons. The most closely related to the domestic pigeon is the White Headed pigeon, Columbia leucomelia. It’s range significantly overlaps that of the current disease outbreak. Other common diseases that affect domestic pigeons are known to infect this and other native pigeons.
It is hoped that rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease will allow effective management of this problem
Update -- 17 February 2021
Throughout January and February a number of lofts throughout the Brisbane metropolitan area and surrounds have been experiencing high mortality in their birds. In some lofts mortality rates as high as 50% have occurred. Birds of all ages are affected including stock birds , one and two year old race birds as well as older and more recently weaned youngsters. Affected birds become quiet and fluffed, lose their appetite and often make repeated attempts to vomit. Death often occurs within 48 hours of first symptoms.Samples have been forwarded by two attending veterinarians from different clinics and also directly by fanciers to the Queensland DPI. Gross autopsy and histopathology (microscopic examination of tissues) failed to identify the cause of the mortalities. Bacterial cultures testing for Salmonella were negative. PCR testing for Avian Influenza, Newcastle disease, Rota virus and pigeon PMV all returned negative results. Testing of multiple birds for Circo virus returned a positive result in one bird. This test result is thought to be an incidental finding. Bacterial culture of the cloaca of multiple birds grew heavy pure cultures of E.coli. However with no E.coli isolated outside the bowel , no evidence of bacterial infection on histopathology and no inflammation in the bowel wall itself being present it is likely that the E.coli is part of the normal bowel bacterial population and not part of the disease process. The Queensland DPI is currently running a Herpes virus PCR and has requested further samples. It has been arranged for fanciers to deliver these to the DPI. The Queensland DPI is now considering escalating the diagnosis of these deaths to a significant disease investigation. At this stage the Herpes PCR result should be available by the end of this week and further histopathology results ready by early next week A full updated summary of the condition and its diagnosis will appear in next month’s Journal. In the mean time because of the significant and dynamic nature of the problem diagnostic updates will appear on this website. Until this situation is sorted out it is important that pigeons from Queensland and in particular the Brisbane and surrounding areas are not moved into other areas or states.
Update 6 5th March
QBS have now tested 6 birds from one affected loft for PPMV by PCR. All tests returned a negative result. This means that either the current problem is not PPMV or QBS’ PCR primers are not broad enough to pick up a variant. QBS is continuing with virus isolation from fresh tissues collected from the latest birds that were submitted. Some viruses can be hard , and slow, to grow so these results may take some time. Dr Anthony Chamings from Deakin University has contacted me. He has been following the investigation and has offered non targeted pathogen detection using a genome sequencer . His offer and help are much appreciated. This is not a fast turn around test, but it can detect a wide range of viruses even if they are genetically different and don't come up in current PCR tests - and so it is useful in the situations where you suspect a novel pathogen. It can also pick up bacteria, although it has been optimized to focus on detecting viruses. He has used this technique in several bird species (chickens, ducks and wild birds - including a native pigeon), pigs, dogs and humans to detect a wide range of viruses.
So , with the negative PMV PCR tests the diagnosis is once again open and the diagnostic process continues.
Update 5 , Monday 2nd March.
Correspondence has been received from Queensland Biosecurity yesterday
“Dear All,
For your information, please find the following dot points on the recent reported racing pigeon mortality in Queensland:
- During Jan – Feb 2021, BSL has received pigeons samples from 3 racing pigeons lofts in QLD (Brisbane and Logan areas)
- Mortality in these lofts ranged from 4 – 20% with less than 80 dead pigeons reported.
- Clinical signs include acute death, off food, lethargy, neurological signs (twisted neck, ataxia, head tilt), respiratory noise when stressed
- Negative test results for AIV, NDV, pigeon rotavirus, pigeon herpes virus for all cases.
- Further testing is underway to determine whether a cause of death can be identified.
- We encourage loft owners to report mass mortalities or unusual deaths as soon as possible to Biosecurity Queensland on 132523 or the EAD Hotline 1300 675 888”
Dennis has provided the following information.
“PiCV-1 ( pigeon Circo virus) is known to be very widespread also in healthy pigeon populations worldwide. Thus, its detection is not unexpected and it does not necessarily indicate an association with the disease. So far, evidence for a causative role of PiCV-1 is still missing, but if it played a role as a pigeon pathogen, it would more likely support other diseases by causing immunosuppression rather than being a candidate itself for directly causing an acute disease such as this one. I totally agree with you, that it may contribute, but is unlikely to be the major (let alone sole) causative agent.”
Dennis also raised the possibility that the Rota PCR tests have returned a negative result because they are insufficiently broad and may not be designed to detect a broader spectrum of variants. The same may apply to any PMV PCRs that are subsequently done.
Apparently the illegal importation of live vaccines occurs in Brisbane. A number of fanciers have told me that this occurs. Also some fanciers, against veterinary advice, use the live NDV4 vaccine to immunize their birds against PMV. The big concern is that viral recombination can occur to create a new variant. This happens when fanciers use a live vaccination in a situation where a viral disease is common. If birds become infected with the “wild” virus after vaccination with a live vaccine there can be genetic sharing ( recombination ) to create a new variant.
A document downloaded from the NSW DPI website was sent to me by the secretary of the QPF last week. The document recommends the use of NDV4 in pigeons. Some of my response to the NSW DPI is below.
“In 2012 when Peter Scott, Tim Wilson and myself ran the 18 month PPMV vaccination trial proposed by the CCEAD we found that NDV4 , 2 doses 4 weeks generated transient, low levels of immunity and failed to provide protective levels of antibodies in all birds. By comparison one vaccination of killed La Sota generated protective levels in 70% of birds after 4 weeks and 4 weeks after a second shot all birds had protective levels with some birds having titres 3 xs what was regarded as protective. As a result we did not recommend the use of NDV4 to protect pigeons against PPMV. The results of the trial were published in the Australian Veterinary Journal ,from memory, in 2013. The results of the trial were used by Zoetis and as a result their Poulvac Newcastle iK vaccine has a claim, on the label, for use in pigeons.”
Yet , the advice to use NDV4 is still on the NSW DPI website. No wonder fanciers are confused
NDV4 generates immunity in chickens that lasts only 10 weeks. A similar trend was noticed when tested in pigeons. When given in the water, a full dose must be ingested within 2 hours otherwise the vaccine is inactivated by UV light and heat. Regularly giving this to large numbers of pigeons that are regularly at liberty in a situation where the “wild” PMV virus occurs and then putting into this mix the use of illegally imported live vaccines is, in my mind, a recipe for disaster.
Based on the clinical symptoms, clinical presentation and the test results already available the current thought is that the cause of the disease problem in Brisbane is a vaccination failure and that the affected birds do, in fact, have PMV. This is being exacerbated in some lofts by a concurrent Circo virus infection. If this is the case it means that fanciers can easily protect their lofts by following the recommended vaccination protocols. The problem has however not been definitively diagnosed and fanciers should be wary , at least for the time being ,of moving birds within Queensland and most certainly out of Queensland.
Update 4, Friday, 26th February
And so what has been happening this week as far as diagnosing the cause of the high mortality rate disease affecting lofts in Brisbane? Results were received yesterday (25th Feb) from Queensland Biosecurity (QBS). Fanciers will recall from an earlier Update that Queensland Biosecurity had requested 3 sick birds and 3 freshly dead birds for further diagnostic work . These were taken to QBS last Friday (19th Feb). During the week diagnostic work has been proceeding. The 6 birds were all autopsied and histopathology (microscopic examination of tissues) performed. Microscopic examination of blood smears from 2 of the birds and microscopic examination of the crop contents of all 6 birds have been done. Bacterial cultures of the cloaca of 4 of the birds have also been done. Cloacal swabs from 4 of the birds were also cultured for Salmonella. Droppings from 2 of the birds were examined for coccidia , worms and Cryptosporidia. All of the above tests failed to identify any disease problem.
Tests planned for the future by QBS are fungal cultures, Circo and Herpes PCRs, also PCRs for Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE)and Kunjin virus as well as virus isolation by cell culture.
All of these tests, except the virus isolation by cell culture and the tests for Kunjin and MVE, are repeat tests that have already been done on a number of birds from multiple lofts with negative results.
I rang the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory last Monday (22th Feb) and spoke to the pathologist. She was unable to advise on how long testing would take and also what would be the diagnostic process if all of the current tests were non-diagnostic. I was advised that there was no point in ringing and that results would be reported when they were available. I rang the office of the Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer on both Monday (22nd Feb) and also Thursday (25th Feb) this week. I was advised that there are no phone numbers or emails available for this contact but that an email could be sent on my behalf. I asked for this to be done but as yet have had no response.
I must say that, after dealing with the receptive, collaborative approach of DAFWA (in WA), PIRSA (in SA) and DEPI (in Vic) I am not accustomed to dealing with disease investigations in this manner. At the moment, the pigeon racing sport in Australia is totally in the dark. Standard tests have ruled out the common diseases. We know that a disease causing high mortality has been affecting multiple lofts in Brisbane, most likely since the end of last year. Several fanciers either directly or through their veterinarians have submitted birds for testing. The same tests have been repeated on birds from each loft but have failed to identify the cause. In the meantime, not only do deaths continue but fanciers from around Australia are becoming increasingly anxious given the fact that birds are moved around the country. Having had the experience of two nationwide avian epidemics in the last 8 years, which each killed thousands of pigeons and not only disrupted racing but the sport generally, this is totally understandable. There has been no release from QBS to fanciers suggesting a restriction on bird movement. There has been no information release, guidance or indeed any notification to the sport while the investigation continues. Obviously veterinary results cannot be released without the fancier’s permission but this has been given to QBS and QBS has also been advised that I am making enquiries on behalf of the Queensland Pigeon Federation (QPF) .
We don’t have a time frame. We don’t have a plan. It is not apparent how to obtain these. The fanciers who have submitted birds for testing want to have answers for themselves but also for the sport of which they are members. The sport is looking to QBS for advice at the moment but unfortunately is not getting it.
Update 3, 22/2/21
Today has been a frustrating day with little to report. The further samples requested by Qland Biosecurity ( 3 sick live birds and 3 fresh dead birds ) were taken to their facility on Friday morning. I have spoken to the attending pathologist at Qland Biosecurity, Dr Shirley Turner, today. Apparently the histopathology results that might have been available today will now not be ready until tomorrow at the earliest and may in fact take several days. An article about the outbreak of disease in racing pigeons in Brisbane is planned to appear in this week’s Weekly Times. The Weekly Times has interviewed me about the deaths and plans to talk to a fancier with affected birds. The Weekly Times has also contacted Queensland Biosecurity for comment and has received a brief statement. What official advice Qld Biosecurity has for owners with affected lofts remains unclear. I have rung Allison Crook, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Queensland and left a message asking her to contact me. It is now a matter of waiting for the histopathology results and then speaking to Qland Biosecurity to see what will be the next diagnostic step.
Second Update -- 18/2/21
PCRs testing for Herpes virus were done on 5 birds. These results are now back. All returned a negative result. The further samples required for diagnosis are being taken to Queensland Biosecurity tomorrow morning. It is anticipated that further results will be back by Monday afternoon. In the meantime there have been a number of enquiries from outside the pigeon sport. The Media Statement below has been released. I wrote the release and it was circulated to all members of the Victorian Racing Pigeon Board for authorization prior to release. Test results and information about the disease will be posted on this site as they become available.
Media Release
Dr Colin Walker 0412 481 239
Veterinarian, Victorian Racing Pigeon Board.
A disease has been killing thousands of racing pigeons in Brisbane and SE Queensland over the last few weeks.
Queensland Biosecurity has yet to diagnose the cause. No formal restrictions are in place limiting pigeon movement to other areas or states of Australia.
Thousands of racing and show pigeon enthusiasts keep hundreds of thousands of pigeons up the eastern seaboard of Australia. The birds, together with associated feed, veterinary and transport businesses, underpin a multi-million dollar industry.
Pigeons are unique among domestic and pet birds in that they are released from their lofts each day for exercise. They are also taken distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometres, from their lofts to find their way home. This exposes them to many other birds including domestic poultry and native birds.
The impact , if any, of this current disease on domestic poultry is not known.
Pigeons travel long distances and can act as health radiators. Pigeons can carry West Nile virus and infect crows and ravens, causing significant mortality in these birds. Similarly pigeons can carry Avian Influenza virus transmitting this to native water birds particularly ducks, also causing high mortality in these birds. Australian birds of prey, notably Brown Goshawks, which predate on lost pigeons, can catch Paramyxo virus from these birds and die.
Australia has 23 species of native doves and pigeons. The most closely related to the domestic pigeon is the White Headed pigeon, Columbia leucomelia. It’s range significantly overlaps that of the current disease outbreak. Other common diseases that affect domestic pigeons are known to infect this and other native pigeons.
It is hoped that rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease will allow effective management of this problem
Update -- 17 February 2021
Throughout January and February a number of lofts throughout the Brisbane metropolitan area and surrounds have been experiencing high mortality in their birds. In some lofts mortality rates as high as 50% have occurred. Birds of all ages are affected including stock birds , one and two year old race birds as well as older and more recently weaned youngsters. Affected birds become quiet and fluffed, lose their appetite and often make repeated attempts to vomit. Death often occurs within 48 hours of first symptoms.Samples have been forwarded by two attending veterinarians from different clinics and also directly by fanciers to the Queensland DPI. Gross autopsy and histopathology (microscopic examination of tissues) failed to identify the cause of the mortalities. Bacterial cultures testing for Salmonella were negative. PCR testing for Avian Influenza, Newcastle disease, Rota virus and pigeon PMV all returned negative results. Testing of multiple birds for Circo virus returned a positive result in one bird. This test result is thought to be an incidental finding. Bacterial culture of the cloaca of multiple birds grew heavy pure cultures of E.coli. However with no E.coli isolated outside the bowel , no evidence of bacterial infection on histopathology and no inflammation in the bowel wall itself being present it is likely that the E.coli is part of the normal bowel bacterial population and not part of the disease process. The Queensland DPI is currently running a Herpes virus PCR and has requested further samples. It has been arranged for fanciers to deliver these to the DPI. The Queensland DPI is now considering escalating the diagnosis of these deaths to a significant disease investigation. At this stage the Herpes PCR result should be available by the end of this week and further histopathology results ready by early next week A full updated summary of the condition and its diagnosis will appear in next month’s Journal. In the mean time because of the significant and dynamic nature of the problem diagnostic updates will appear on this website. Until this situation is sorted out it is important that pigeons from Queensland and in particular the Brisbane and surrounding areas are not moved into other areas or states.
Sections containing veterinary information on the management and treatment of avian diseases and the use of medication require a password. To obtain a password please email or phone
Email vet@auspigeonco.com.au
Phone 0450 400 034
Thank you.
Email vet@auspigeonco.com.au
Phone 0450 400 034
Thank you.
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A recent Victorian Champion VHA 18 5711 BCH One of the best pigeons raced in the VHA in 2018 Bred and raced by John Van Beers, VHA, Melbourne. A “could have been” double Fed winner. Landed with 1st Fed Mildura , 26th October, 512km, 1500 birds, 1396 mpm and then 2 weeks later landed with 1st Federation, Carrieton, 874 km, 900 birds, 1306 mpm, clocked 6.06 pm after 11 hours and 9 minutes on the wing. The father is bred from two VHA birds of the year. The mother is a half- sister to another VHA bird of the year. What a pigeon! |
Race results for the open 700 mile race available here
The APC - Your partner in pigeon health
Dinner in Kortrijk , Belgium, from left to right, Dr Colin Walker, Dr Geert De Schepper, Joost de Smeyter, Dr Pascal Lanneau, Gaby Vandenabeele and Luc Sioen ( 1st National Limoges 2019)
PiPA Headquarters 2019, PiPA is the largest international auction site for pigeons and the premier site for international pigeon results in the world setting the gold standard in both of these areas. From leftto right Dr Carlo Gyselbrecht, Nikolaas Gyselbrecht, Dr Colin Walker and Dr Pascal Lanneau.
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Dr Colin Walker with Belgian long distance champion Joost De Smeyter pictured in May 2019 with 2 of Joost’s champions. Colin is holding 1st International Narbonne ( only pigeon into Belgium on the day ) while Joost is holding 1st International Barcelona.
Internationally famous fancier Gino Clique, with his copy of Dr Walker’s book. In Limoges 2019 Gino was 2nd National with 9 in the top 100 with 10,770 birds competing. One of many outstanding modern results.
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Prominent fancier, internationally recognized veterinarian and owner of Belgica de Weerd ( supplier of pigeon medications to the world) in his clinic in Breda, The Netherlands. Technician, Laura examines samples in the foreground
Internationally recognized pigeon veterinarian, Dr Pascal Lanneau, checks the birds of successful fancier Dirk Deroose during a loft visit
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Contact:
Phone: 0450 400 034 Email: vet@auspigeonco.com.au Warehouse: 6/6 Holloway Drive, Bayswater, VIC, 3153 |
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