Post by Sea Wings Loft on Dec 15, 2006 22:24:12 GMT 7
Water & Grain Diet: Not Enough, Supplements & Medications are Necessary!
by BOB PRISCO
I know of no "CHAMPION LOFT" that uses just a water / grain diet. It has long been known that the standard grain mixtures do not contain all the nutritious substances in sufficient quantities for young birds to develop, breeders to breed successfully and for birds to complete a good moult.
For years my philosophy has been that supplements and medications are effective and necessary as preventative measures to promote physical growth and to improve resistance against illness and stress during the racing, breeding and moulting seasons.
As we look at each season, (moulting, breeding and racing) we must first understand that if a bird does not complete an even, natural, healthy moult, then its potential for racing or breeding for the year is lost.
A fancier must understand that there are no guarantees in this sport except one: no healthy, natural moult means no positive results in the breeding or racing loft. Each fancier must spend the time and money to provide the feed, supplements and medications necessary for his birds to complete a healthy moult and to avoid hours of frustration, disappointment and expense.
Since our birds are kept in an unnatural environment, these supplements are necessary to maintain proper health. We use the medications strictly as a preventative. Prevention means we administer medications whenever the birds are exposed to other birds, during stressed situations and when there is the potential of exposure to highly infectious and very common diseases.
Many fanciers believe that these products are not necessary. However, I must advise them that all of the top lofts and large prize winners use various forms of supplements and medications. Their results speak for themselves.
Also, without the use of supplements and medications a fancier is unable to ensure perfect health, development, conditioning, performance and success for an entire race series.
NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS: FRESH GARLIC, FRESH ONIONS, HONEY, FRESH SQUEEZED LEMON OR LIME, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, SUGAR. All are used in fresh water or teas all year. Also, they can be placed in water with medications, vitamins or minerals.
FRESH LETTUCE, CABBAGE, SPINACH AND CHOPPED CARROTS should be washed and placed in the loft.
VITAMINS / MINERALS: We prefer water soluble products because they assure us that all the birds will receive the same benefits and all the birds will take several drinks during the day. I like to use 2-3 different brands of vitamin and mineral mixtures, blended together, to ensure the best results.
VITAMINS / ELECTROLYTES: We prefer a water soluble nutritional balanced formula, premix containing vitamins, electrolytes, organic acidifiers and natural micro-organisms for pigeons and poultry: BREWER'S YEAST, WHEAT GERM OIL, NATURAL OLIVE OIL, MINERAL MIXTURES, OYSTER SHELLS, PICKSTONES, HERBAL TEAS.
BASIC GRAIN DIET: FEED MIX (15-17% PROTEIN), PELLETS (21-28% PROTEIN), RAW SPANISH PEANUTS #1 GRADE, EXTRA RICE, SAFFLOWER, PIGEON GRIT.
VACCINES: I USE ONLY PMV-1 (MAINE LAB), POX (MAINE LAB). The other vaccine you may want to use is SAL-BAC PARATYPHOID VACCINE (BIOMUNE). I do not use it because I use several other sulfa drugs during the year that are also good for Paratyphoid.
DISINFECTANTS: BLEACH, NOLVASAN, BELGIAN WHITE, PLENTY OF NATURAL SUN.
EXTERNAL PARASITES: INSECTRIN X (LIQUID FORM), PEST STRIP, BATHSALTS.
MEDICATIONS: It has always been my practice to use at least 2-3 different medications for each of the most common diseases that occur in pigeons. CANKER (RIDZOL, EMTRYL), COCCIDIOSIS (AMPROL / CORID, SULMET), E-COIL (AMOXICILLIN, VETISULID), PARATYPHOID (SULMET, AMOXICILLIN, BAYTRIL), RESPIRATORY (AUREOMYCIN CONCENTRATE, GALLIMYCIN, TERRAMYCIN, TYLAN), WORMS (IVOMECTIN CATTLE WORMER / IVOMEC, TELEMINEC-40), PIGEON MALARIA (ARALEN / CHLOROQUINE, PRIMAQUIN).
I use several medications together as a MULTI-MIX. However, I prefer to mix my own instead of buying the already premix formulas because I can control the mixture, and I am sure of the proper amount of each medication used in the mix.
Because of Taiwan's unique style of racing and its climate, fanciers must medicate before and during the breeding seasons and racing series. Taiwan fanciers must pay close attention to the health of their birds every day, more than any other country. WHY?, because of large number of imported birds arriving every year from various countries (many using illegal drugs that effect the birds immune systems and bring their health problems into Taiwan). Taiwan's warm climate presents various health problems. Taiwan fanciers tend to have overcrowded loft conditions (the main reason for most health problems, along with introducing new birds into the loft). Various breeding and racing seasons during the year present problems unique to Taiwan fanciers. The strenuous racing series and the young ages of the birds that compete.
Clean water is the life line of good health and a successful loft. Drinking water containers, regardless of type, should be cleaned and disinfected several times a week. Drinking water should be clean and germ free at all times. The two best disinfectants available in the USA are Clorox (regular bleach) and Nolvasan. Both are all purpose disinfectants that can be used in the loft as well as in the drinking water. One tablesthingy per gallon of water of CLOROX or NOLVASAN in the drinking water is very helpful and will not harm the birds. Use them all year, but ONLY in plain water. IMPORTANT: Do not use Clorox or Nolvasan in water when using medications, vitamins or other supplements.
MULTI-MIXES PER GALLON OF WATER OR TEA:
1. Fresh crushed garlic, onions, apple cider vinegar, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
2. Herbal tea with fresh squeezed lemon, lime, honey, sugar with vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
Multi-mixtures of medications can be used as a preventative treatment and are necessary due to the style of racing in Taiwan. These mixtures can be used twice a week for 10-15 weeks with no long term internal wear on the birds' body organs. They should benefit the birds because all of the medications are broad spectrum antibiotics that will allow you to control any health problems that the birds may acquire from your fellow fanciers birds, or from the stress during the race series. If necessary the birds can be sent to the races on these mixtures if serious health problems occur between races, but I prefer to use them early in the week, if possible, as a preventative.
MULTI-MIX MEDICATIONS: Full strength in a gallon water for 48 hours.
1. 1 tablesthingy Ridzol or Emtryl
1 tablesthingy Sulmet-Aureomycin
1 teasthingy Tylan
1 teasthingy Vetisulid
1 tablesthingy best vitamins, minerals, electrolytes
2. 1 tablesthingy Ridzol or Emtryl
1 teasthingy Amprol or Sulmet
1 teasthingy Aureomycin concentrate
1 teasthingy Vetisulid
1 teasthingy Teleminec (wormer)
1 tablesthingy best vitamins, minerals, electrolytes
When you use the above mixtures, give the birds all they want to eat. The birds should never be hungry or thirsty.
I prefer liquid supplements and medication because I know that all of the birds will consume a sufficient amount of water each day, and all will receive the same dosage.
I would advise all serious fanciers to attend seminars regularly on the latest medications, supplements and dosages. Talk with an experienced pigeon veterinarian about legitimate proven products that have been tested and are effective for pigeons.
Always use the best products available to you for the specific problem. Remember, the highest priced product is not always the best.
by BOB PRISCO
I know of no "CHAMPION LOFT" that uses just a water / grain diet. It has long been known that the standard grain mixtures do not contain all the nutritious substances in sufficient quantities for young birds to develop, breeders to breed successfully and for birds to complete a good moult.
For years my philosophy has been that supplements and medications are effective and necessary as preventative measures to promote physical growth and to improve resistance against illness and stress during the racing, breeding and moulting seasons.
As we look at each season, (moulting, breeding and racing) we must first understand that if a bird does not complete an even, natural, healthy moult, then its potential for racing or breeding for the year is lost.
A fancier must understand that there are no guarantees in this sport except one: no healthy, natural moult means no positive results in the breeding or racing loft. Each fancier must spend the time and money to provide the feed, supplements and medications necessary for his birds to complete a healthy moult and to avoid hours of frustration, disappointment and expense.
Since our birds are kept in an unnatural environment, these supplements are necessary to maintain proper health. We use the medications strictly as a preventative. Prevention means we administer medications whenever the birds are exposed to other birds, during stressed situations and when there is the potential of exposure to highly infectious and very common diseases.
Many fanciers believe that these products are not necessary. However, I must advise them that all of the top lofts and large prize winners use various forms of supplements and medications. Their results speak for themselves.
Also, without the use of supplements and medications a fancier is unable to ensure perfect health, development, conditioning, performance and success for an entire race series.
NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS: FRESH GARLIC, FRESH ONIONS, HONEY, FRESH SQUEEZED LEMON OR LIME, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, SUGAR. All are used in fresh water or teas all year. Also, they can be placed in water with medications, vitamins or minerals.
FRESH LETTUCE, CABBAGE, SPINACH AND CHOPPED CARROTS should be washed and placed in the loft.
VITAMINS / MINERALS: We prefer water soluble products because they assure us that all the birds will receive the same benefits and all the birds will take several drinks during the day. I like to use 2-3 different brands of vitamin and mineral mixtures, blended together, to ensure the best results.
VITAMINS / ELECTROLYTES: We prefer a water soluble nutritional balanced formula, premix containing vitamins, electrolytes, organic acidifiers and natural micro-organisms for pigeons and poultry: BREWER'S YEAST, WHEAT GERM OIL, NATURAL OLIVE OIL, MINERAL MIXTURES, OYSTER SHELLS, PICKSTONES, HERBAL TEAS.
BASIC GRAIN DIET: FEED MIX (15-17% PROTEIN), PELLETS (21-28% PROTEIN), RAW SPANISH PEANUTS #1 GRADE, EXTRA RICE, SAFFLOWER, PIGEON GRIT.
VACCINES: I USE ONLY PMV-1 (MAINE LAB), POX (MAINE LAB). The other vaccine you may want to use is SAL-BAC PARATYPHOID VACCINE (BIOMUNE). I do not use it because I use several other sulfa drugs during the year that are also good for Paratyphoid.
DISINFECTANTS: BLEACH, NOLVASAN, BELGIAN WHITE, PLENTY OF NATURAL SUN.
EXTERNAL PARASITES: INSECTRIN X (LIQUID FORM), PEST STRIP, BATHSALTS.
MEDICATIONS: It has always been my practice to use at least 2-3 different medications for each of the most common diseases that occur in pigeons. CANKER (RIDZOL, EMTRYL), COCCIDIOSIS (AMPROL / CORID, SULMET), E-COIL (AMOXICILLIN, VETISULID), PARATYPHOID (SULMET, AMOXICILLIN, BAYTRIL), RESPIRATORY (AUREOMYCIN CONCENTRATE, GALLIMYCIN, TERRAMYCIN, TYLAN), WORMS (IVOMECTIN CATTLE WORMER / IVOMEC, TELEMINEC-40), PIGEON MALARIA (ARALEN / CHLOROQUINE, PRIMAQUIN).
I use several medications together as a MULTI-MIX. However, I prefer to mix my own instead of buying the already premix formulas because I can control the mixture, and I am sure of the proper amount of each medication used in the mix.
Because of Taiwan's unique style of racing and its climate, fanciers must medicate before and during the breeding seasons and racing series. Taiwan fanciers must pay close attention to the health of their birds every day, more than any other country. WHY?, because of large number of imported birds arriving every year from various countries (many using illegal drugs that effect the birds immune systems and bring their health problems into Taiwan). Taiwan's warm climate presents various health problems. Taiwan fanciers tend to have overcrowded loft conditions (the main reason for most health problems, along with introducing new birds into the loft). Various breeding and racing seasons during the year present problems unique to Taiwan fanciers. The strenuous racing series and the young ages of the birds that compete.
Clean water is the life line of good health and a successful loft. Drinking water containers, regardless of type, should be cleaned and disinfected several times a week. Drinking water should be clean and germ free at all times. The two best disinfectants available in the USA are Clorox (regular bleach) and Nolvasan. Both are all purpose disinfectants that can be used in the loft as well as in the drinking water. One tablesthingy per gallon of water of CLOROX or NOLVASAN in the drinking water is very helpful and will not harm the birds. Use them all year, but ONLY in plain water. IMPORTANT: Do not use Clorox or Nolvasan in water when using medications, vitamins or other supplements.
MULTI-MIXES PER GALLON OF WATER OR TEA:
1. Fresh crushed garlic, onions, apple cider vinegar, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
2. Herbal tea with fresh squeezed lemon, lime, honey, sugar with vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
Multi-mixtures of medications can be used as a preventative treatment and are necessary due to the style of racing in Taiwan. These mixtures can be used twice a week for 10-15 weeks with no long term internal wear on the birds' body organs. They should benefit the birds because all of the medications are broad spectrum antibiotics that will allow you to control any health problems that the birds may acquire from your fellow fanciers birds, or from the stress during the race series. If necessary the birds can be sent to the races on these mixtures if serious health problems occur between races, but I prefer to use them early in the week, if possible, as a preventative.
MULTI-MIX MEDICATIONS: Full strength in a gallon water for 48 hours.
1. 1 tablesthingy Ridzol or Emtryl
1 tablesthingy Sulmet-Aureomycin
1 teasthingy Tylan
1 teasthingy Vetisulid
1 tablesthingy best vitamins, minerals, electrolytes
2. 1 tablesthingy Ridzol or Emtryl
1 teasthingy Amprol or Sulmet
1 teasthingy Aureomycin concentrate
1 teasthingy Vetisulid
1 teasthingy Teleminec (wormer)
1 tablesthingy best vitamins, minerals, electrolytes
When you use the above mixtures, give the birds all they want to eat. The birds should never be hungry or thirsty.
I prefer liquid supplements and medication because I know that all of the birds will consume a sufficient amount of water each day, and all will receive the same dosage.
I would advise all serious fanciers to attend seminars regularly on the latest medications, supplements and dosages. Talk with an experienced pigeon veterinarian about legitimate proven products that have been tested and are effective for pigeons.
Always use the best products available to you for the specific problem. Remember, the highest priced product is not always the best.