Purebred Pigeon SepOct 2024

20 – Purebred PIGEON Veterinary Viewpoints 3: The Importance of Having a Post-show Plan By Tim England DVM Show season is an exciting time for pigeon keepers. It is our chance to show off the effort we put in to raise, groom and present our best birds. An important part of this process is the preparation of the birds, getting them in top form for the show. However, we should put just as much work in the after-show care of our birds, to insure their health and safety. Having a plan to insure your birds remain in show condition and good health is an important part of a loft’s overall show protocol. Creating a plan to manage your birds upon their return home is especially important. Your birds have been commingled with birds from dozens of other lofts and possibly exposed to viruses, bacteria and parasites that they have not encountered at their home loft. Your birds have endured the stress of transportation to the show, housing in a new environment and placed in show cages that dozens of other birds have potentially contaminated with their droppings or body secretions. The ideal situation upon returning home with your birds should allow you to isolate the show birds from your existing loft. Additionally, it’s important to house them in a location that they can be readily observed for illness at the earliest signs of disease. And finally, feeding and cleaning the show birds after you have completed those tasks for your other birds. This will minimize exposure of your entire loft to problems brought home with your show team. Preparation prior to the show should include providing the best care possible to insure your birds are healthy and protected from disease. Vaccinating your birds well in advance of the show season will provide them with protection against diseases like PMV-1 and Salmonella. Additionally, deworming your birds reg- ularly will reduce their burden of intestinal parasites and improve their resistance to other diseases. Using a long-acting treatment for topical parasites (mites and lice) will provide protection against returning home with birds that have picked up “bugs” Author Tim England is pictured with his friend and fellow Komorner breeder, Doreen Lampe at the 2024 NYBS (photo by Doratha Connally)