Purebred Pigeon Sept/October 2025

11 – Purebred PIGEON dosage with no observed side effects. That’s great – but it’s still smart to rotate deworming medications occasionally to cover a wider range of parasites and prevent resistance. H ere are a few other options to consider : 1. Pyrantel Pamoate Very effective against roundworms. Safer than many alternatives. Best dosed individually. Can cause vomiting, especially if given on a full crop – consider withholding food for a few hours before and after. 2. Benzimidazoles (e.g., Fenbendazole, Oxfenbendazole) Also effective, but carry more risk: Liver damage. Feather abnormalities if used during molt. Best reserved for specific cases where other dewormers aren’t working. D eworming F requency : W hat ’ s I deal ? This reader deworms twice a year – and that’s worked well until now. Some worry that more frequent treatments might harm their birds, but both ivermectin and pyrantel  are quickly metabolized and don’t accumulate in the body. They’re safe for more frequent use if needed. In fact, breeders dealing with persistent infestations some- times treat monthly without adverse effects. That said, every loft is different – base your schedule on your birds, your setup, and your parasite pressure. Y oung B irds and D eworming The breeder also asked about treating young birds. Both ivermectin and pyrantel are safe for use at weaning – when dosed properly. Personally, I treat every young bird at weaning and again at 3 months. This early intervention helps prevent heavy burdens from establishing. F inal T houghts Parasite control is one of the pillars of good loft manage- ment. You can have the best design and the cleanest setup, but regular treatment and observation are still essential. This reader’s question opened the door for a really im- portant discussion. Keep asking questions, keep watching your birds closely, and keep learning – because that’s how we all get better. Tim England DVM is a veterinarian at the Animal Med- ical Center of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and has a special interest in birds and avian medi- cine. He is a founding member and a director of the Komorner Tumbler Association. He raises Komorner tumbler pigeons at his farm in Southwest Michigan. He welcomes your questions at TimEDVM@gmail.com