AboutStacie G. Expertise I can answer questions related to health, care, behavior, and breeding. If you have an emergency situation, please take it to a veterinarian with avian experience. Unfortunately I do not know much about actually racing pigeons, but I do show exhibition king pigeons.
Experience I have raised pigeons for approximately 12 years now. I got started in the hobby by rescuing an injured feral when I was 12 years old and successfully rehabilitated him. Unfortunately, he was not releasable and so I kept him until he passed about two years ago. From that feral, I actually realized that pigeons were great companions and I had dismissed any previous misconceptions I had heard about them.
Now I am focusing my attention to the show king although I do have a few racing homers, utility kings, and MFC helmets.
Organizations National Pigeon Association
American King Club
Education/Credentials Mainly self-taught with my own experiences, but I have supplemented my knowledge with books and information from NPA and AKC.
Awards and Honors Numerous Best of Breed and Reserve of Breed in 4-H shows; Two Best in Shows acquired while in 4-H. (7 years ago!)
Best of Show and Reserve of Show in county fair
Expert: Stacie G. Date: 7/21/2008 Subject: Pigeons disease
Question QUESTION: Hi
My pigeons are getting one disease after another. First it started with choking of throats and now some yellow color guilds are occurring all over their body especially around beak eyes and feet, the size of the guild is increasing every day please suggest medicine and prevention.
Regards
Vishal
ANSWER: Hi Vishal,
How long have you had these pigeons and have they been in contact with other birds or have you acquired new ones? It sounds like they might have canker and pigeon pox. If you look in the throat, can you see yellow cheesy-like growths? Sometimes pox can be found internally and cause symptoms quite like canker, although it is not uncommon for both to be present. Are there scabs around their eyes, beaks, and feet? Unfortunately, pox is caused by a virus and there is no specific treatment available, other than supportive care. I strongly suggest you take one to a vet to confirm this and maybe get some antibiotics there to prevent any secondary infections. If there is canker present, you can buy medication from this pigeon supply company:
Please note that this will not cure the pox, only the canker if it is present and only if you follow the directions carefully. I have also heard of some people using diluted Betadine or Tea Tree Oil to help dry up the external lesions on the outside of the bird, like on the legs, outside of beak and on the skin around the eyes (be careful not to get any in the eyes!). Are your birds locked in a loft or free flying? I suggest you quarantine the sick ones, although I am sure they probably all are infected by now. The only prevention is strict loft hygiene and cleanliness as this virus is contagious. There are also vaccines available to help prevent outbreaks. It may take 3-4 weeks before you see any improvements and just make sure they can still eat enough and are drinking well. Some vitamins may not be a bad idea either.
Keep me updated!
Stacie
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I had these pigeons for almost last 12-13 Years.I had accquired some new one and one pigeon had come,who was lost ant was infected.Yellow Cheesy is their in some and some have guilds/scabs arount their beak and legs.they are free flying. Mainly the young ones of female pigeons are infected.
Thanks
Vishal
Answer Well, in this case I would definitely try quarantining the infected ones and any others that show signs of being infected. The source of infection was most likely one of the recent birds you brought in. I hope they fight this! Any other questions?
