On a personal note This year I am not racing and will be spending much of the year travelling. As a result it will not be possible for me to write my monthly “Australian Pigeon News and Veterinary Update” articles. I have advised our editor , Jeff Howell, that he is most welcome to print any material that I have written earlier that he feels may be of interest to the readership. Time goes very quickly . It has now been 40 years since I first started writing for the Journal . I am looking forward to this year but at the same time I am looking forward to next year being back in Australia , racing my birds again and once again writing for the Journal. In the meantime I wish all fanciers an enjoyable and successful year’s racing.
An Interesting Case Recently I was contacted by a country flier. During the racing season he had regularly treated his birds with Turbosole, Doxy T and Sulpha AVS. Invariably at the end of treatment there was some medicated water left in the drinkers. He was advised by his club members that, rather than “waste” this water, he should give it to his stock birds. The stock birds were therefore receiving periodic short courses of these antibiotics at an indeterminate dose. The stock birds were paired normally and initially breeding proceeded normally. He then started noticing that some of the breeders were losing a lot of weight and becoming weak. These birds were separated, treated with antibiotics at the full dose for the recommended period of time and got better. When he put them back in the stock loft they again deteriorated. This continued for a period of time with further birds becoming unwell, being removed from the breeding loft , treated , being returned and then becoming unwell again. It was decided to take birds to an avian vet for testing. Initial testing revealed a severe bacterial infection of the throat while further blood tests showed that bacteria and bacterial toxins had entered the body and were causing damage to some organs. This is an interesting case and highlights the need to use antibiotics correctly. Some fanciers tend to confuse antibiotics with disinfectants. Antibiotics do not “flush” through and kill bacteria. Bacteria need to be exposed to antibiotics for a sufficient period of time at a sufficient strength to “work”. Anything less and only the easy to kill “weak” bacteria are killed leaving behind the harder to kill “resistant” bacteria. In the process “super “ populations of hard to kill, disease causing bacteria are created. This fancier had inadvertently created these populations in his stock birds. The additional stress created by breeding meant these birds could no longer keep these bacteria under control and became unwell.
Calcium Deficiency in Cocks Does calcium deficiency occur in breeding cocks? Although most cases are in hens, the brief answer is yes, but rarely. Pigeons, after hatching, grow incredibly quickly compared to many other birds. For example many species of parrot take 8 weeks to fledge while pigeons take only half this time, just 4 weeks. Growing so quickly means that the skeleton rapidly increases in size. As the skeleton becomes larger it must be mineralised to become strong. The main mineral that give the skeleton its strength is calcium. Until the chicks can pick at grit for themselves all of this calcium must come from the parents. No matter how much grit, pink minerals and picking stones the breeding parents eat , they cannot eat and assimilate enough to match the amount that they feed to their growing chicks. The difference is made up by mobilising calcium that has been pre stored in their own skeletons prior to the breeding season. In this way the skeleton acts as a calcium bank. When breeding is finished, the stock birds , with ongoing calcium intake replace the calcium that has been leached from their own skeleton to make up the shortfall during breeding, in preparation for the next breeding season. If the stock birds don’t get enough calcium, their bones become under-mineralised. Under-mineralised bones become weak and sore. These birds then develop a “stumbly” awkward type gait. The calcium bank in both sexes is depleted through breeding because in pigeons both sexes produce crop milk. However it is the hens that have a higher demand for calcium because on top of what the cock does they also have to lay the eggs. In addition to a “stumbly” gait, calcium deficient hens may be reluctant to fly, lose weight, become egg bound, lay soft shelled eggs become generally weak and become more prone to egg peritonitis. Calcium deficient cocks usually lose weight, become quiet , fail to thrive and typically become unsteady on their feet. So next time you see a cock like this, particularly during the breeding season, consider calcium deficiency as a possible cause. Fortunately response to treatment is rapid. Give ½ to 1 ml orally of Calcivite Plus ( Australian Pigeon Company) or similar product daily until well – usually just 1 to 3 doses, and then ongoing access to a good quality grit and pink mineral. If possible it is also good to foster the current nestlings of an affected cock and finish breeding with him for that season
New Product – Abavet Complete Wormer Abavet Complete wormer is a blend of two wormers. The product contains abamectin and praziquantel. Abamectin is in the same group of drugs, the macrocyclic lactones, as moxidectin and ivomectin. It is effective against roundworms, hairworms and all external parasites that feed off blood (namely mites and biting flies ). Praziquantel kills tapeworms. The two medications in combination therefore kill all of the common parasites of pigeons. Because abamectin has not until recently been widely used to treat pigeons , parasites have not been exposed to it. This makes resistance less likely and increases the chance of effective parasite removal. The product can be used at any time during the pigeon year, except during breeding when stock birds have unfeathered chicks in the nest. It is ideal to use during moulting and racing. In particular , it is ideal to use as a complete “clean out” anti- parasite medication in young developing race birds. Food does not interfere with its action and so the birds can be fed normally. There is no vomiting associated with use and the birds behave normally after medication. Although this medication can be given in the drinker at a dose of 10ml/L, the praziquantel it contains makes this medication unpalatable except for thirsty birds. It is best therefore given directly to the throat to ensure a full and effective cleansing dose. Doses can be given at the same time as any vaccination. The dose is 1/2ml per bird given orally.
VRPB News As fanciers will be aware in 2017 a new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry (AAWSG), including pigeons, was proposed. As the government explained:- “The development of the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry ( including pigeons ) is an initiative of Australian governments to guide new, nationally consistent policies to enhance animal welfare arrangements in all Australian states and territories. The development process was supported and funded by all governments and the major poultry industries. The hope is that the standards will provide a basis for developing and implementing consistent legislation and enforcement across Australia and provide guidance for all people responsible for poultry. The standards and guidelines are based on current scientific knowledge, recommended industry practice and mainstream community expectations. Standards are underpinned by science through a review of the relevant scientific literature, a process that helps to ensure that the standards are scientifically valid. The final draft document was released following a national review of poultry ( including pigeons ) welfare and extensive consultation across industry and community.” The Australian government wanted to liaise with a single body that could represent the interests of the pigeon fanciers of Australia. As a result the ANRPB was formed. Several ANRPB members, in particular Grant Paterson, put in a lot of time and effort on behalf of the fancy. The discussions became involved, convoluted and at times complex . Grant attended a number of meetings and there were a number of special interest groups that had input. However in summary (and I hope that this summary has not become inaccurate in its simplicity), the ANRPB was presented with a document by the government, the ANRPB made some recommendations and some modifications were made. Later further modifications were made without their involvement. The ANRPB was not entirely happy about these but as these modifications did not have any significant impact decided not to pursue further changes. The result is the draft document that we have today.
State Agriculture ministers are due to meet in 2023 to consider the proposed AAWSG. Although AAWSG is a federal document, Agriculture Victoria wanted to understand any potential impacts of the new legislation on the Victorian poultry industry ( including pigeons) if the AAWSG are implemented. Agriculture Victoria wanted to hear from the poultry industry peak bodies of all poultry species (laying hens, meat chickens, ducks, game birds, geese, pigeons, emus, ostriches, turkeys). And so, in the last week of February the VRPB was sent a draft of the AWSGP by Agriculture Victoria for comment
The email from Agriculture Victoria stated “You have been contacted as the representative of an industry peak body. If your organisation has any feedback, or industry data, that you would like to provide to help Agriculture Victoria understand the potential implications of implementing these standards in your sector, please click the link below. All information provided in the survey will remain confidential and data will not be identifiable. The survey focuses on standards that are new, different to or alter existing Victorian requirements currently in regulations or Codes of Practice. However, if you have feedback on implementation of any other proposed standard that is not listed, please included that in your response also”
The draft final AAWSG can be found on both the VRPB and ANRPB websites . The standards and guidelines describe welfare standards and guidelines for the keeping, rearing and humane killing of all farmed poultry species and introduce new provisions for poultry production systems. This document is now at the final draft stage and the opportunity for comment has closed. It has, however, not as yet passed into law. The period for public consultation started 3 years before and closed just weeks before the VRPB was formed. The VRPB did however see this as an opportunity to have some input and introduce ourselves to Agriculture Victoria. The VRPB”s position was that the AAWSG document had already been reviewed by a national body, the ANRPB, and that the VRPB is in agreement with their recommendations. However, being given the opportunity for comment the VRPB could see a few minor matters that it feel could be clarified and perhaps considered. Obviously different bodies with different members are likely to have different viewpoints. These differing comments offer a broader commentary. As a result the following letter from the VRPB was forwarded to Dr Sarah Chaplin, Senior Policy Officer, Animal Welfare Victoria with Agriculture Victoria “The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry have been forwarded to the executive of the Victorian Racing Pigeon Body (VRPB) which has in turn forwarded the document to me for comment. The VRPB is the representative body for pigeon racing in Victoria and I am the veterinarian for the organisation. The VRPB was formed in 2020 to represent the interests of all Victorian racing pigeon fanciers. We were made aware of this document about 18 months ago and were under the impression that the time for comment had passed. We are now particularly pleased to learn that it is still possible to comment and to be given the opportunity to provide input. Because racing pigeons are competitive animals, racing fanciers appreciate the need to not only provide the basics of good care but also ensure that the birds are healthy, fit and motivated to return to their lofts as quickly as possible. As such, the requirements set out in the Standards and Guidelines would be easily met by the vast majority of our members. There are, however, several points that warrant clarification. I have set these out below. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you. Part A. SA 3.7 – does this mean that all lofts should be fitted with a fire extinguisher? Part B Pigeons Standards SB 11.1 – what is meant by appropriate selection of breeding stock (genetic selection for non- aggression ?, not breeding from cocks that have earlier damaged a hen?) - need to clarify. SB 11.8 – does this mean that a fancier commits an offence if he is not in attendance when his birds are out? SB 11.9 – same comment as for SB11.8 Guidelines GB 11.10 – stock birds are racing pigeons, if the stock birds are not let out, is this a problem or does this only apply to racing pigeons that are actively being raced? – this needs to be clarified. GB 11.11-- currently GB 11.11 reads “Free flight exercise should be in accordance with a plan, and for at least 30 minutes duration per day during both pre-training and the race programme.” The VRPB believes that the necessity of taking pigeons from the loft and teaching them to return should be mentioned to ensure adequate preparation for racing. As such, the following inclusion is suggested: “Whilst free flight is a good way to promote health and well-being, it should not be used on its own to prepare pigeons for racing. It is necessary to take birds distances from their loft and teach them to return. This training is important for the physical development and mental preparation of the racing pigeon. • It serves to both educate and develop: • the physical conditioning (fitness) for the racing pigeons’ upcoming event; • the mental preparation for the upcoming event: • via transportation; • navigation and enhancing the homing ability; • It should be conducted regularly with flying times ranging from 30 minutes up to 90 minutes.”
I have rung Agriculture Victoria this morning and left a message asking that you please call me. I look forward to speaking to you at your convenience. Regards Dr Colin Walker Chief Veterinary Officer VRPB BSc BVSc MACVS ( Avian Health )”
I was contacted by Dr Chaplin and arranged a meeting with her on the 17th March. The general conclusion of the meeting was that the Standards and Guidelines would not have a significant impact on the pigeon fanciers of Victoria with the vast majority being in compliance with their daily operations . However we both agreed that some of the points may have been improved and augmented with alternate wording. As VRPB representative I was keen to do what I could to make the standards and guidelines useful to fanciers and also to the sport itself as well as giving Agriculture Victoria an understanding of the sport in Victoria and provide an introduction to the VRPB. In summary some of the issues discussed included: - 1/ SB 11.1 The management of cock aggression - not really an issue for most fanciers . Most fanciers don’t routinely select for reduced aggression in breeding cocks. This problem can be effectively managed through appropriate stocking rates and loft fittings 2/ Gb 11.11 It is important to the VRPB that fanciers present with birds adequately prepared for the race ahead and as such 30 mins daily exercise would be regarded as the minimum. A further requirement for both educational and conditioning tossing as outlined in the VRB guideline inclusion would have been good 3/ SB 11.9 Delete references to open lofting – the practice to be discouraged 4/ SB 11.8 Time restraints and other commitments may preclude fanciers always being in attendance when birds are at liberty. This comment was inserted by AgVic at the suggestion of the RSPCA to help protect birds from predation and injury from foxes, cats, raptors etc when at liberty. This would have been better being suggested rather than made obligatory 5/ GB 11.12 and SB 11.7 The VRPB would have preferred to see more information regarding liberation restrictions/protocols with not just fog and ensuring that the sun had adequately risen being considered. 6 / GB11.10 Clarification that birds retained for breeding do not need to let out. Etc etc Dr Chaplin asked for figures on the number of fanciers in Victoria, the number of birds bred and the value of pigeon racing to the Victorian economy. Fortunately the VRPB had already calculated these figures and I have forwarded them to her. My meeting with Dr Chaplin ran for one and a half hours. At the time of writing ,our meeting was today. Dr Chaplin is forwarding a summary of the meeting with comments to me for review. A document with recommendations will then be forwarded to the Victorian Agriculture minister.
This has all taken quite a bit of time and work. I encourage all Australian fanciers to take note of the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines federal regulations and also for Victorian fanciers take note of the new Animal Welfare Act being introduced into Victoria. What I have found in the past is that some fanciers don’t want to be involved or in fact don’t want to even know about such matters and yet when issues subsequently affect their pigeon racing activities they strongly complain despite being given plenty of opportunity to comment by the government. It is up to fanciers to familiarise themselves with their requirements under both of these new legislations. Details can be found on the VRPB website and have been discussed at length in the ARPJ.
On another matter, the VRPB would like to welcome Paul Gardiner as the second Greater Melbourne Federation representative to the VRPB. I have personally known Paul for many years. His clear thinking, keenness and experience with pigeon racing will be an asset to the VRPB and we look forward to working with him. Unfortunately VRPB secretary Marc Tenaglia has informed the VRPB that he will not be standing for re-election this year as the Western Pigeon Federation representative. As Marc will no longer be a member of the VRPB he will no longer be able to be Victorian rep on the ANRPB. Marc was one of the founding members of the VRPB and has made an enormous contribution. He has had a significant and much valued input. His business skills have expedited many of the necessary activities involved in establishing an organisation such as the VRPB. I have enjoyed working with Marc and appreciate his dedication to the sport in Australia. Hopefully the WPF will be able to elect a VRPB rep at its upcoming AGM. It is important also that Victoria is represented on the ANRPB. As only elected representatives of the VRPB can stand for this position it will be up to the VRPB to elect an ANRPB rep for 2023. This month has seen a noticeable increase in the collaboration between the ANRPB and VRPB particularly regarding the AAWSG document. In the resultant “flurry” of emails we are increasingly finding that many of our aims are similar if not the same. Some issues regarding pigeon racing that will be dealt with in the coming months are better dealt with at a national level by elected reps. The VRPB will be happy to support the ANRPB where it can. Hopefully the other states will have similar views.
The Dangers of Home Diagnosis. An overseas fancier contacted me. He advised that his birds had Adeno virus. Ninety of his younger birds had died. They were vaccinated against PMV. Before death the birds had very watery droppings. He had researched the internet to conclude that the birds had Adeno virus. To me this seemed unlikely. In the adult form of Adeno only a few birds are affected and most of these die while in the juvenile form of the disease many pigeons are affected and very few,if any, die. Adeno was not high on my list of differentials based on what he described. With a short term illness and high mortality rate, PMV, for me ,would be the most likely. I asked if the birds were fully vaccinated against PMV. He confirmed that they were vaccinated and that they had “no physical signs of PMV. No twisting of the neck.” Twisting of the neck occurs in a small percentage of birds that survive the acute phase of the disease. I advised that what he was describing ---- droppings that are just water, short term illness and high mortality was exactly what we see with PMV in Australia. I asked what type of PMV vaccine was he using and how did he use it. He replied “I vaccinate every young bird when I wean them. I was using a 2 in 1 which is PMV and Salmonella. And recently just bought a 3 in 1 Pmv/herpes/adeno.” It turned out that he was using a killed vaccine ( similar to the one used in Australia ). When we did the trials in Australia we found that 2 vaccinations 4 weeks apart both given after 6 weeks of age were necessary. All birds were protected from clinical disease 4 weeks after the second vaccination. To maintain immunity annual boosters are required. The fact that he had only been giving one vaccination and in some birds this was before they were 6 weeks old meant that the birds were vulnerable to PMV. Based on their symptoms this was the likely cause of his problems. An additional concern is that some of the combination vaccines available in the EU and UK have not been validated ie it is not really known if they in fact work. He had followed this vaccination protocol based on advice from his club mates and thought that the early vaccination was done so the fancier did not have to chase the birds around. So what started as a fancier who was looking for advice on how to manage an Adeno virus outbreak in his birds ended up requiring an improved PMV vaccination program to control the problem. Most fanciers just want to do the best thing for their birds but this case highlights the benefits of an accurate diagnosis and obtaining information from reliable sources.
Vitamin Supplementation The major thing that fanciers must realise is that any diet based on grain and seeds , no matter what variety , proportion or quantity are used will not provide all of the vitamins, amino acids and minerals that pigeons need. To provide all the nutrients that pigeons require and to get the absolute best out of your birds supplementation is necessary. What are vitamins? Vitamins are chemical compounds that are natural components of food. Found in minute quantities, they are essential for normal metabolism and health. They are divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and K). Within these six main groups are several different sub-types. Each group has its own set of functions and, when severely deficient in the diet, display their own set of characteristic deficiency symptoms. The effect on metabolism is proportional to the level of deficiency so that when deficiency is mild, the symptoms are vague and non-specific, such as poor performance or compromised health. Vitamins are generally not made in the body in sufficient amounts to meet requirements and so must be taken in as a dietary source. The six groups of vitamins are divided into two basic types. The water-soluble vitamins (B and C) are not stored in the body and so any deficiency in these tends quickly to have an effect. The fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are well stored in the liver and so daily intake is less critical.
What do vitamins do? Each vitamin has its own set of functions. Vitamin A is necessary for healthy skin and mucus membranes; that is, the lining of the mouth, sinus and cloaca, etc. Vitamin B is actually a large group of 12 or more different compounds; for example,thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), choline (B4), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), etc. They perform many vital functions. Being water-soluble, deficiency quickly develops if the birds are not eating. Vitamin C is a metabolic regulator. In most species of seed-eating birds, including pigeons, vitamin C is synthesised in the liver and there is no advantage in supplementation unless the bird becomes debilitated and is no longer able to make enough vitamin C, especially if the liver is damaged. Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium from the bowel into the body. Birds can make their own vitamin D if they have access to light. Vitamin E regulates many of the normal metabolic processes within the cell. Vitamin K is necessary for blood coagulation. It is found in green plants and can be produced by the normal bacteria in the birds’ bowel. It is in fact quite difficult to produce a vitamin K deficiency, unless antibiotics have been overused and have killed all of the bacteria in the bowel, or birds are prevented from eating their own droppings, or probiotics are not used.
Everything in balance In addition to maintaining adequate levels of vitamins in the diet, it is important that they are not given in overdose. For example, overdose of vitamin A interferes with the absorption of vitamin E and vitamin D3. In extreme overdose (20–100 times the recommended dose) vitamin A can cause weight loss, decreased food intake, inflammation of the mouth and eyelids and decreased bone strength. It is also important that vitamins are given in the correct proportion relative to each other. The most obvious example of a vitamin interrelationship is the effect of the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, in which an excess of one will decrease the absorption of the others due to competition for absorption sites in the lining of the bowel. For this reason, it is necessary that all fat-soluble vitamins are balanced with respect to one another to ensure proper absorption of them all. Some vitamins interact directly in the metabolism of certain compounds. This means that if there is a deficiency in one, this would lead to increased requirements for the others. Conversely, increased supplementation in one can mean that one of the others is proportionately low and therefore deficient. Vitamins cannot only interact with each other but also with other substances such as amino acids (the building blocks off proteins) and minerals. The most significant relationship between vitamins and minerals is the relationship between calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3. It is obligatory for adequate vitamin D3 to be available for the proper absorption of both of these minerals to take place. Inadequate vitamin D3 levels in the body can lead to calcium deficiency symptoms in an otherwise calcium-adequate diet. Conversely, too much vitamin D3 can cause excessive absorption, in a marginal diet. Another example is the relationship between vitamin E and selenium. These two do essentially the same job. If one is deficient, then the other can make up the difference. A similar thing happens with the vitamin niacin and the amino acid tryptophan. If there is a lot of tryptophan in the diet, then less niacin is required. Vitamins are also affected by the levels of protein and fat in the diet and other dietary components. For example, a high-protein diet leads to increased requirements for some vitamins in the B group, while a low fat/high starch diet leads to an increased demand for thiamine.
Grain and vitamins Ideally, a dry seed diet containing a wide variety of grains supplemented with vitamins, grits and minerals should provide a balanced diet. As discussed earlier, however, care needs to be taken in selecting a grain blend. Not only are the quality and freshness of each grain type important but also the type of grain chosen and its proportion relative to other grains. As discussed earlier, diets based solely on grain cannot provide a complete diet and are quite low in various nutrients, including vitamins. In addition to the inherent nutrient property of a grain the actual nutrient levels are affected by factors such as the climatic conditions during growing and harvesting and also the soil that the grain was grown in. Without full evaluation the fancier cannot know if the birds have a deficiency that might be affecting race form or health more generally. Grain can also contain a variety of potentially harmful substances including vitamin antagonists and anti-nutritional factors. 1. Anti-nutritional factors. Some substances contained in grain actually inhibit the release of nutrients to thebird. Some of these act by interfering with the action of digestive enzymes. A common one here inhibits the digestiveenzyme trypsin, which digests protein. Although found in many grains, it is particularly high in legumesand, in particular, maple peas. Ingestion of a diet high in grains containing this enzyme inhibitor results in poorprotein digestion because the trypsin is blocked. Other grain, in particular milo, contains tannin. Tannin makesmilo brown and is bitter. This is why pigeons will not eat really brown milo. Tannin also blocks the action ofdigestive enzymes and, incidentally, also reduces the availability of iron and vitamin B12. 2. Vitamin antagonists. Some foods contain substances that actually break down vitamins that the diet might contain.An enzyme found in fish, called thiaminase, destroys thiamin (vitamin B1). Thiaminase is found in high levelsin cod liver oil, which is still commonly used as a supplement by some fanciers. Although adding an oil to thebirds’ grain is a good way of increasing its energy content, pigeons never evolved to digest animal fats (particularlyfrom a crushed fish’s liver), and seed oils, such as wheat germ oil, should always be used by preference. 3. Contaminant toxins. Apart from natural plant toxins, such as alkaloids and lectins, grain can also be contaminatedby heavy metals (such as copper, used in many insecticide sprays), and fungal toxins.
When feeding a grain-based diet there are additional considerations regarding vitamin supplementation in the breeding loft, racing loft and also during disease.
Supplementation in the stock loft Confined birds, such as breeder racing pigeons or exhibition birds, are usually not given the opportunity to forage. Foraging gives pigeons the opportunity to supplement their diet. These birds are therefore dependent on their owner to provide a complete and balanced diet. This places heavy responsibility on the provided diet to supply adequate vitamins in the correct balance with each other. It is inconceivable that a dry seed diet based on a small number of seed types could supply all of the birds’ vitamin requirements. In the stock loft, micronutrients and vitamins, such as riboflavin, carry over into the egg. This is necessary for maximum hatchability and chick vitality. The age of the stock bird appears to have an influence on the efficiency of transfer of vitamins into the egg, and a marginal diet in older birds may be part of the reason why some fanciers notice that most of their successful race birds are bred from their younger stock birds.
Supplementation in the racing loft Racing birds in many lofts are given the opportunity to forage, however these birds are, in fact, more prone not only to vitamin deficiency, but also general nutritional deficiency, because of the increased nutrient requirements associated with exertion, tissue repair and disease resistance. In addition to this, race birds spend considerable time during the season away from the loft in race baskets, where feeding patterns are disrupted and often quite different from those in the home loft. Sometimes meals are missed altogether such as in all-day races and with ‘late arrival birds’.
Supplementation during disease In addition to routine maintenance, birds in a number of disease situations benefit from additional supplementation. These include: 1. Diseases such as coccidiosis, that damage the bowels, and reduce the absorption of nutrients. 2. Damage to any tissues may increase requirements because of the need for healing. 3. Activation of the immune response mechanism may also increase requirements. This is of particular importancein recently weaned young birds. 4. Some vitamins are stored in the liver, and damage to this organ can reduce its ability to store and mobilise vitamins 5. Reduced feed intake due to disease tends to reduce the availability of vitamins at a time when demand is increasing. 6. Vitamin demand increases generally through growth, breeding, stress, disease and old age.
Pigeon Pox A surprisingly high number of fanciers throughout Victoria and also in suburban Melbourne have reported outbreaks of pox in their birds. In the face of an outbreak the advice is to immediately vaccinate all birds that as yet have not caught the disease. If you make a mistake and vaccinate a bird that already has pox – no harm done, you will not do the bird any harm, all that will happen is that bird will not form a vesicle at the inoculation site because it already has vesicles associated with the disease itself. Pigeon Pox vaccine is now readily available and can be obtained direct from the APC or through a vaccine supply company , Scolexia.
Great Initiative by the PRV I was pleased to learn of an initiative by Tas Gazis and Pigeon Racing Victoria (PRV ) to encourage a combined 500 mile race into Melbourne this year. Despite the obvious benefits to many fanciers, it has proven difficult over the years, for the 4 main federations to reach a consensus on just how such a race should be conducted. A recent letter to the VHA from one of its clubs, Mornington, encapsulated the feelings of many fanciers. “Racing Pigeon Victoria Inc. wants to sponsor the transportation of a 500-mile race in 2023. The only condition that this organisation has is that at least three of the following four federations participate on the one transporter (GMPF, VHA, WPF and VRPU). The PRV would seek tenders and would be responsible for the liberation by having at least one member from each participating federation in the liberation committee. The positives associated with this offer are: 1. Reduced transport costs (Depending on the final tender for this race this could be free) 2. A greater number of birds being released from the liberation point which obviously would provide better coverage and therefore hopefully better returns for the race. 3. A more extensive race result with a combine, federation and club results possible. We have been advised that in 2023 the GMPF, Western Federation and VRPU have agreed to race together from the 400-mile stage onwards on the Nth line. It is envisaged that the race will take place from Bourke on the Nth line as this is seen as the fairest line to race at this distance and as mentioned previously three other federations are already flying on this line in 2023. The date of the release is negotiable as each federations race program commence at different times. Our President Andrew Demidowski has spoken to Tas Gazis Chairman PRV who advised that any part of this proposal is negotiable and is seen as a starting point to fly a combined 500-mile race. The Mornington Racing Pigeon Club would like the VHA delegates to vote in favour of this proposal and would prefer to fly the north line from Bourke for this one race. It also seeks a minimum of one liberation committee member to be nominated, decide where they would prefer our birds would be basketed from i.e. Notting Hill & Ivanhoe? and for the delegates to decide the preferred maximum number of birds to be flown. The last two issues obviously need to be negotiated with other participating pigeon federations. This event is seen aa a unique opportunity to race our birds with other pigeon organisations at the distance. Our main problem in the past when trying to organise a similar event has been the reluctance of other federations to fly with us for a multitude of reasons. The beauty of this offer for our organisation is that it allows a neutral organisation which has been formed purely for the betterment of the sport to do the ‘heavy lifting’ for us as well as paying for the cost of transportation.”
On Monday 7th March at their monthly VHA delegates meeting , the VHA delegates voted to support this race. The race will be one of two 500 mile races conducted each year by the VHA and will be incorporated into their race program, counting for aggregate points. The decision is significant, if not historic, in that, this will be the first time all Melbourne federations will compete in a combined 500 mile event. In my opinion, Tas and the PRV are to be congratulated on having the foresight to consider such an event and then providing the means for such an event occur. My personal hope is that further similar races can be organised
Ask the Vet 1/ My birds have a respiratory infection. Which is better Doxy T or TripleVet? Doxy T contains 2 antibiotics- doxycycline and tylosin. Doxycycline is very effective against Chlamydia while tylosin is very effective against Mycoplasma. Chlamydia and Mycoplasma are the two most common causes of respiratory infection in pigeons. TripleVet is a blend of three antibiotics, like Doxy T it contains doxycycline and tylosin but it also contains spiramycin ( also called suanovil in Europe ). Spiramycin is effective against a range of bacteria that either primarily cause respiratory infections or occur secondarily to a Chlamydia/ Mycoplasma infection. If a bacteria is involved the respiratory discharges are more likely to become thick, mucoid and coloured ie more pus like. For routine respiratory infections best to stick with the Doxy T. If there is evidence of secondary bacterial infection as indicated by heavy mucoid discharges then use the TripleVet. The birds should respond quickly. If they don’t – best to either call me or contact your closest avian vet.
2/ Can you give me your opinion about vaccinating for PMV in the thigh rather than the neck. Birds , including pigeons, cannot be effectively vaccinated in the thigh. In a quirk peculiar to birds ( and some reptiles ) there is a valve in one of the major blood vessels in the thigh which can direct blood straight to the kidneys where any medication it contains is excreted from the body without being able to exert it’s effect. Vaccines and indeed any medication injected into the thigh is therefore much less likely to work.
3/ Is it necessary to vaccinate for pox and Salmonella or can I skip these? Also a lot of older fliers say that over vaccinating and over medicating is not good for the birds. Is this correct. I am a new flier and get lost amongst all the opinions. Pox and Salmonella are not as common as Rota and PMV. It just depends what risk you are prepared to take. I do my birds against all four. You can over medicate. It is not possible, however, to over vaccinate. Best to follow the guidelines on the VRPB and APC websites.
4/ My young birds have been diagnosed with Circo virus. When should I vaccinate them? This is problematic because Circo virus directly interferes with the functioning of the immune system ( by affecting a type of white blood cell called a B lymphocyte ).This means that affected birds have a reduced ability to fight disease and also a reduced ability to develop an immunity following vaccination. Apart from the fact that they may not “take”, there is no problem with vaccinating the birds against PMV and Rota because these are killed vaccines. Pox and Salmonella however are both modified live vaccines . If these vaccines were used then potentially they could cause more symptoms than you might expect in healthy birds with normal immune systems. On the other hand you have to weigh up the risk of your immune compromised birds with Circo actually coming in contact with one of these diseases. If this happened any disease would have a much more severe effect on these birds. I would vaccinate against PMV and Rota as soon as possible. This would stimulate some immunity. It is reasonable to think, however, that this would be lower than that usually formed. Because of this, I would then vaccinate the birds twice more, four weeks apart, once all of the birds had become well. I would however delay vaccinating against pox and Salmonella until all of the birds are well unless there was significant risk of exposure to the disease ( ie disease diagnosed in nearby loft, significant number of strays etc) . In this situation it would be better to risk a vaccine reaction rather than have the birds catch the actual disease.