What to Expect in the Health Check
When your veterinarian does the health check, he will do both a fecal smear and a crop flush. Examining the fecal smear microscopically, the vet is looking for signs of parasites, such as worms or coccidia. Parasites like these will reduce the energy of the young bird, compromising in the long-term, growth and development and, in the short-term, exercise tolerance. This low tolerance can cause the bird to pant.
The contents from the crop flush are examined for wet canker and heterophils, which will be present in inflammation. Heterophils are the white blood cells from the lining of the inflamed sinus and windpipe.
Treatment of Respiratory Infections in Young Pigeons
Should the vet discover a respiratory infection at this stage, it is often not treated. Respiratory infections are usually caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma. In order to encourage natural immunity to these organisms, the vet will choose to let the bird fight it off. If the respiratory infection has progressed to the point of compromising the growth and development of the bird, the vet will usually opt to treat. Of course, any parasitic disease is treated.
Any treatment program that you do initiate should be one that supports and encourages a strong and natural immunity in the young bird. You will want this in place by the beginning of the racing season so the bird can withstand the high-level of stress and the exposure to multiple diseases.
Most definitely, provide good care at all times and maintain a dry and clean loft. Always provide nutritional support and digestive health. An excellent resource you may want to include in your library is the “Flying Vet’s Pigeon Health and Management” by Dr. Colin Walker.
To summarize, panting in your young birds is usually the result of:
To verify this, handle your bird to determine if overweight, flabby muscles or moulting is present. And try exercising your birds during the cooler part of the day to see if the panting is indeed heat related.
In the next part of this article series on panting, we will take a look at panting and aerobic exercise in the health and fit racing pigeon.
Arrived early and in perfect condition. I have 8 favorites.
The Alexander Hansenne is indeed a remarkable Racing Pigeon Strain. Dr Willaim Anderson in his book "The Sport of Racing Pigeons" 1947 writes extensively about this outstanding Fancier. I luck to have an original copy of the book. Need i say i myself have of the Bronze chequers in my stock loft Well wishes to you
Hello Dale, Donnie & Pam
Firstly, I would like to thank Dale for his persistence yesterday. Both
Linda and I were so sorry that your crossing was so difficult.
Originally, you texted me that you would wait for us---so of course we
would wait for you!!
We had a very pleasant return home with clear roads etc. But were
extremely tired and went to bed early!! I am extremely happy with the
selection of birds you sent even the replacement for 20512.
It was a pleasure dealing with the Zehr family. I spent time with the
birds in the garage last night and today speaking "Zehr Sion" to them.
Think they understood---at least until they learn "Trini Sion". Lol!!!
Thank you all once again.
Wishing you all and your families a very Happy Holiday Season!!!
Dave and Linda
The 3 birds arrived this morning in Aurora, Colorado safe and sound. Thanks. We'll do business again!!
Hello. We received the two boxes today with the four Hansenne pigeons. Arrived in excellent condition.
She is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you guys for looking out for me. Can’t say enough about how much I love the bird and birds you have sent me.
Thank you so much, i got the bird! He's so beautiful, pin tail apple body, nice wing :)
Hello there, My name is Mike and live in Az, I had racing pigeons when I was young and now Im not young haha 61, Semi retired and determined to move to a place where I can fly birds again, want to get my grandkids involved. Anyway as a kid I flew some Sions and really enjoyed your website. When Im ready would love to get a few Sions again and see how they do. Any advice for an old newbie? lol
Hey Donnie, Saw your Birds on Ipigeon and must say, those are some Beautiful Heitzmans. They are very true to what I called the real thing. Beautiful Hansennes as well. Take Care, Chuck
Hi
I have placed the pigeon recieved from you recently in a priority express shipment back to you in same box recieved. Bird was beautiful and healthy but we realized it’s nature is such that it needs to fly and be a racing pigeon. We can’t offer that life to it and realize it was a mistake to try this based on our situation
Bird has had not been outside and has been confined indoors in isolation since recieved.
Please give it the home it deserves.
Appreciate the care you took getting it to us!!!
Need some color on my team. Had some sion couple years ago when i had a partner who sick and could not care for his own birds. He liked sions so i bought some from you on pigeonauction.com. We alot of fun his sions against my team .He has since past on. His family called me and thanked me for letting fly with me he really looked forward race day. HE WON EVERY WEEK
Path: https://www.clayhavenfarms.com/pigeons/for-sale
Thank you guys so much for allowing me the opportunity to love these birds.
