Not really my thing (18-10-25)
Not really my thing
Writing columns does not happen automatically and sometimes I ask myself the question 'how long can I keep up writing something meaningful that has not already been written countless times?'.
It's the great reactions from readers that keep you going. I hardly had any problems writing all those years.
Not even with vets (rather on the contrary) although I sometimes sit in their chairs.
Especially when it comes to excess use, or better abuse, of medicines.
After all, the veterinarians themselves are not heard from much, at least in Belgium'. Now I heard that Belgian legislation has to do with it.
It's a shame about that legislation. Some vets have a message, certainly those who perform themselves. Because they are not allowed to write, I sometimes venture into things that are not my field.
SUCKERS
Take the disinfection of lofts, for example. Some turn it inside out after the moult, as it were when it is 'big clean'. The bottom is scrubbed, but also the walls, the ceiling and even there are those who take the tiles from the roof and wash them. They don't want to see a speck of dust after such a turn.
'What suckers' it goes through me. And think of champions like Christiaens in the past.
There is nothing wrong with hygiene, but good racing is possible in lofts that are not be cleaned much. Provided they are bone dry and well ventilated. And disinfecting? That makes no sense because you CANNOT disinfect a pigeon loft.
MEANINGLESS
‘Lofts’ for cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and so on is a different story. After disinfection, those animals disappear from the pens for good, they remain empty for a while and then populate with other cattle or plumage.
It's different with pigeons. They return to the previously disinfected loft with all their viruses and/or bacteria and parasites. It is also good to know that there are no means to eliminate viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and so on at the same time, despite some sales talk.
Watch out for miracle cures against various diseases at the same time. Because they don't exist. Of course, you can't let things go to waste either. You have to keep your eyes open all the time.
WORMS
Pigeons never spontaneously get rid of worms (on their own). So, in case of, you have no choice and you will have to act. The eggs can survive for a long time and be present everywhere. Those of hairworms were even found on a false ceiling. Chlorine, Dettol or the nowadays popular Virkon S can be useful for bacteriological infections, but especially not against worms or coccidiosis.
So hairworms in particular can be a pest that is difficult to get rid of.
Avicas tablets (Oropharma) are said to be particularly effective and least dangerous. After lighting up, add the burner to eliminate secreted eggs, after 10 days light up another tablet, then burn again and then (back) to the vet with droppings. That's how seriously you have to take hairworms. It is better to spend some money for a study than to cure blindly.
COCCIDIOSE
Coccidiosis should not be a problem in pigeon sport. Healthy pigeons in good lofts are not bothered by it and because top fanciers have healthy pigeons and good lofts. Schematic cures (every month or so) are pointless and wrong. Pigeons can also be relieved of it spontaneously just by placing them in a bone-dry loft. (Dr. Lemahieu). It is sometimes called a factor ailment, which means that external factors cause problems.
Some vets don't want to see even one egg, others believe that a little cocc can't hurt. Are those 'others' right?
There are also those who consider it a parameter for form. Cocc can become a serious problem if pigeons are weakened after a difficult race or due to illness. For example, it often goes hand in hand with paratyphoid and streptococci. Sulfamides used to be popular, nowadays Baycox. So with chlorine you do NOT exterminate cocc, although many think so.
CANKER AND ORNITHOSIS
Disinfecting against canker and ornithosis (a wrong term like 'head diseases' is) is not possible. Canker cannot be prevented. Not with medicines and not with, for example, apple cider vinegar or garlic.
Doctor Stam used to advise to first free the pigeons and then always put a pinch of Halamid in the drinking water.
It is striking with canker that one pigeon or species is much more vulnerable to it than the other. Fortunately it is no longer the problem it once was.
Anti-mucus agents, which can even be ordinary table salt, are controversial. You take away the symptoms, not the ailment. 'Head diseases' do not exist. They are, like wet eyes, symptoms again.
OTHER CALAMITIES
Parasites is another story. A few 'stripes' (shaft lice) do little harm, those small round mobile light-shy things (red mites) all the more because they 'live off the pigeon'.
Especially with warm humid weather you have to be careful. Then they multiply at lightning speed. If pigeons leave the eggs or you hear them at night, you have a (lice) problem and you can't act fast enough.
Hearing trampling can also mean moths and strangely enough they seem to be mainly in lofts where there is form.
Because a good loft climate that is good for pigeons AND moths? Who knows? One night a Vapona strip and they are gone.
BEWARE
Poo or pee from mice or rats does not belong in the coop or, worse, over the food. They would not be the cause of paratyphoid but they would spread it.
Curing without culling rats is carrying water to the sea.
That's how a layman thinks, after a lot of experience and questions from readers about inconveniences that fellow sportsmen are sometimes confronted with. Also because of lack of information for beginners.