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If you give care and attention to your pigeons you will have hardy and healthy birds but occasionally you will have certain pests or disease occur.
I have named a few below.
Insect Pests
Pigeon Flies- These are much smaller than the average housefly and are found in lofts especially in the south. They can carry disease. If your pigeons fly with quick, lively movements be sure to check under the feathers of the
pigeons as they seem to rest there. Keep the nests clear and destroy any larvae which resembles small lead shot, then spray the loft and the birds. Check with your local feed store for the best product to spray.
Red Mites- These or quite different from lice and very hard to control if you have large numbers of pigeons. These mites will get into tiny crevices and cracks in the nest boxes and lofts and they feed at night by sucking blood. They will appear like tiny flakes of black pepper. Consult your local feed store for a good mite powder that can be used for pigeons.
Lice- These are the most common of pests on pigeons and are very small but still visible to the naked eye. Examine your birds regular as these are not bloodsucking insects but they do live off the pigeon's skin scales and feathers and never leave. In the warm months they rapidly multiply. Consult your local feed store for a product that can be used on pigeons.
Diseases
Canker- This is a protozoan infection and is very common in pigeons. Adult birds can get it but it strikes mostly the squabs in the next, symptoms of
this canker are lesions in the mouth or throat with a yellowish-white substance. Consult your local feed store for a product that can be used on
pigeons.
Colds- Pigeons get colds just like humans and dampness in the loft is a major cause of colds.
Usually if you will make sure your loft has no drafts your pigeons will have fewer colds. Keep the birds warm when sick and administer cod liver oil to keep up their strength. Consult your feed store for an ointment or suggestions to help open the nostrils and make breathing easier.
Pneumonia- Watch your pigeons, if their throat is parched, if they have difficulty in breathing, have fever or just look sick it could be pneumonia. Be sure to keep drafts away from them and keep the area warm. Consult your feed store for antibiotic drugs to help.
Roup- If pigeons are exposed to drafts or dampness in the winter roup can occur, the symptoms are similar to a cold, then a nasal discharge changes to a pus like mucus and will clog the nostrils. Be sure to isolate the sick
birds and disinfect the loft and all utensils. Consult your local feed store for remedies to help clear up roop.
Diarrhea- Usually this occurs after a pigeon has eaten sour or moldy grain or unseasoned grain. Remove any grain you suspect is not perfect and feed corn and small grains till the pigeon is improved. You might try a dose of caster oil or Epsom salts to clear out the bird's system.
Going Light- With this disease the flesh will waste away and the pigeon will look sick and have diarrhea. This is a symptom of another problem, consult someone for help in curing this and feed warm milk with bread or meal in the meantime.
Egg Binding- Sometimes a hen will have problems in passing an egg, if you will bathe the vent with a little warm water and take a medicine dropper and put a warm olive oil on it the egg will just pass on out.
As I wrote above taking care of your pigeons, making sure their area is warm and has no drafts and keeping fresh water and good quality feed on hand you should have healthy birds.
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