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15 – Purebred PIGEON
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
by Jerry Gagne
Raul in Bermuda asks - What do you recommend for E. Coli?
E.coli is one of the most wildly known organisms on earth, and
the most common cause is stress. Antibiotics might help but the E/
coli will return. Reduce any stress in the loft, such as racing, showing
or breeding. If possible, darken the loft for a week or so in order for
the birds to rest. E.coli may cause secondary infections, so I would
try Mycoban combined with Bromhexine. Follow with probiotics for 3
days. I would then treat for 10 days with Amoxicillin 10% and follow
that with 3 days of probiotics. Keep the birds on Probiotics every other
day as long as you chose.
Scott G. from California asks - My birds have been having problems
and are coughing and grunting. I tried Tyaln and Aureomycin com-
bined and it seem to work. Two weeks later I have it coming back.
I would suggest your trying Spiradox in the drinking water, as
directed, for seven days. The first 4 days combine it with Bromhexine.
Follow with a probiotic. For temporary relief, using a Q-Tip, find the
small hole right behind the tongue, Twirl the Q-Tip down this hole I a
clockwise direction, down to the end of the cotton. Remove the Q-Tip
by twirling it in the opposite direction. This should be done quickly,
it will remove the mucus that is causing the coughing and grunting,
which is an effort to get the mucus out.
Justin S. asks - Tonight I noticed on of my approximately 2 year old
Homer males has what appears to be larger than normal bumps
around the eyes and on his cheeks leading down to his mouth. I
checked the inside of his throat for yellow growths and did not see
anything out of the ordinary (color was pink and consistent looking).
Also, the anal vent does not appear to be hard or have any bumps
around it, so I do not think it is Canker, but I am pretty new to keep-
ing Homers so I’m not sure. The bird is currently on its second pair
of eggs and is doing a good job with the daytime sitting duties.
Your birds have contacted Pigeon Pox, a virus. There is no treat-
ment for Pigeon Pox, it must run its course. You may want to try Pox
Dry, which is not a treatment, but will help it go away quicker. The
bumps will eventually scab over and dry up and go away. It rarely kills,
but there is occasion when it does kill a young bird who is not strong
enough to fight it.
I feed chicken laying pellets to my pigeons, and they are doing fine.
Do you see any draw backs to feeding the layer pellets?
I contacted Dr. Paul Miller and asked him this question. Dr. Miller
is of the opinion that this is not a good idea. He suggest turkey pellets,
would be better. The layer pellets have more calcium then a pigeon
needs and may cause problems with long term use.
Did you know?
• Hemp Seed stimulates the mating instinct, but too much will
cause constipation.
• Young pigeons may mate at four to six months old, but the first
eggs are often infertile.
• If you are using a medication that ends in “cycline”, remove the
grit while using it.
• Overcrowding will cause stress – stress may cause disease
• Do not add bleach to the water when medicating or giving pro-
biotics. The bleach counter acts the benefits of probiotics.
Send Your Questions to: Jerry Gagne, e-mail: jerrygagne@foys-
petsupplies.netor 724-359-5355 - No calls after 5:00 P.M. EST•