RACING PIGEON POST
Each unit of our 125gr Improver or AntiFungal costs about 20 and will treat up to 100 pigeons for 6 months against diseases and give great flying results.
Read our all our health & performance articles at Pigeon Vitality Contact our veterinarian & nutritionist team by letter or email for any query: mail@pigeonvitality.com Pigeon Vitality, Lundekroken 10, 3940 Porsgrunn Norway
Contact our resellers if you want to use these patent protected products:
H. Beattie & Son 028 3884 0486; Derek Rooney 019 25 72 13 28; Taylors Choice 01270252530; Abbeyton Lofts 07799640711; B.Leefe & Sons Ltd 01653691411; BJF Feeds 01909770065; MedicAnimal LTD 02030580500; Gem Supplements LTD 01243531259; Cosworth Studs Feeds 01215561497; Boddy & Ridewood 01723585858; Andrew Hitchcock 07595394444; Graham Tysom South Ltd 01797227999; Graham Tysom North Ltd 01933317444; R.E. & E Smith 01915843773; P&J Lofts Friskney 01754820027.
Pigeon Vitality is looking for more distributors, please contact us
The content (content being images, text, sound and video files, programmes and scripts) of this website is copyright of Racing Pigeon Post and this article is Copyright 2009 Pigeon Vitality. All rights expressly reserved.
Read our all our health & performance articles at Pigeon Vitality Contact our veterinarian & nutritionist team by letter or email for any query: mail@pigeonvitality.com Pigeon Vitality, Lundekroken 10, 3940 Porsgrunn Norway
Contact our resellers if you want to use these patent protected products:
H. Beattie & Son 028 3884 0486; Derek Rooney 019 25 72 13 28; Taylors Choice 01270252530; Abbeyton Lofts 07799640711; B.Leefe & Sons Ltd 01653691411; BJF Feeds 01909770065; MedicAnimal LTD 02030580500; Gem Supplements LTD 01243531259; Cosworth Studs Feeds 01215561497; Boddy & Ridewood 01723585858; Andrew Hitchcock 07595394444; Graham Tysom South Ltd 01797227999; Graham Tysom North Ltd 01933317444; R.E. & E Smith 01915843773; P&J Lofts Friskney 01754820027.
Pigeon Vitality is looking for more distributors, please contact us
The content (content being images, text, sound and video files, programmes and scripts) of this website is copyright of Racing Pigeon Post and this article is Copyright 2009 Pigeon Vitality. All rights expressly reserved.
All about the French molt & the racing pigeon
The French Molt is an old name for an old disease, which only in more recent times has become more fully understood. The disease in England was first noticed in birds from France, a hundred or so years ago, and so the English called the disease French Molt. Interestingly, the French noticed the disease in birds from England and so they called the disease British Molt.
When aviculturalists say that a bird has French Molt, they are usually referring to a pigeon that has what are called dystrophic feathers. These feathers have persistent feather sheathes, numerous fret marks, blood and inflammatory debris in the feather shaft, are generally stunted, and wear prematurely. Although any condition that causes general ill-health or damages the feather follicle during the molt can compromise feather quality, birds affected by French Molt are infected with one of two viruses, namely Polyoma virus or Circo virus. Both viruses have the potential to inflame feather follicles, so that the feathers that grow from them are deformed. If this was all that the viruses did it would, perhaps, not be so bad but the changes seen in the feathers represent only part of the overall disease syndrome and for this reason it is important that aviculturalists have a good understanding of these diseases so that appropriate control measures can be undertaken.
Lets look at each of these viral diseases more fully.
Polyoma virus.
Polyoma virus primarily is a budgerigar disease but can affect any pigeon. The symptoms displayed by the birds and the final effect of the virus depend very much on the birds age, immune status and general health at the time of exposure.
The disease.
If Polyoma virus infects nestling pigeons, they become dehydrated, develop swollen abdomens and may bleed easily, resulting in bruising. Such chicks have been described as little red marbles. Many pigeons less than 25 days old will die, with peak mortality occurring between 15 and 19 days of age. Some neonates die quite quickly just being found dead in the nest box. Older chicks are more likely to survive but are likely to develop feather abnormalities. Such youngsters are called French moulters or runners. If mature birds are exposed to the virus, many will become infected but only a few will develop disease. These older birds will often mount an immune response and may well clear the virus from their systems within 4 - 6 months. While infected, however, they will be shedding the virus and are therefore a source of infection. Not all adult birds, however, will clear the virus. Some will remain persistently infected and intermittently shed the virus (particularly when under stress), therefore remaining a potential source of infection.
The disease in other pigeons
Some infected pigeon nestlings will die very quickly, with few or no warning signs, while others develop non-specific signs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, breathlessness, decreased appetite, lethargy and bruising, and may be sick for days or weeks before dying. Older infected youngsters are more likely to survive, while birds affected as adults may show no signs but as with budgies some of these birds will become subclinical carriers of the disease. Some birds will develop a chronic form of disease where they generally just fail to thrive.
The disease in Pigeons.
Polyoma virus can cause deaths in nestlings, young birds and adults. Birds that survive may develop feather and beak abnormalities.
What to do if you are suspicious of Polyoma infection?
The first thing to do is to consult your avian vet to get an accurate diagnosis. Often the history of disease within the aviary and the symptoms displayed by the birds are very suggestive but it makes no sense to start on an extensive control program without making 100% sure that this is in fact the problem. In countries, the disease is usually confirmed by autopsying a recently dead bird and collecting tissue samples that are then forwarded to an avian pathologist for examination. With special stains, the pathologists are able to visualize the virus infecting the birds tissues. In some other countries, a variety of live bird tests are available. These include a PCR/DNA probe test, which can detect viral DNA in blood, tissue or cloacal samples and also blood tests to check for exposure (antibodies) to the virus.
Control
So, what should one do if the disease is confirmed? A variety of protocols has been suggested, ranging from extensive culling to having a break in breeding through to doing nothing and allowing the birds to build up their own immunity.
It is impossible to eradicate the disease through culling because it is almost impossible in Europe to detect asymptomatic carriers. While totally depopulating and restocking is also not practical, because the disease is common, it is likely that the disease would simply be reintroduced with new birds.
It does seem that in many well managed loft, the birds do develop a significant natural immunity to the virus and that although it is frustrating to lose any birds to disease, losses become low level and possibly tolerable. In addition giving the 2 products Improver and AntiFungal in addition of spraying the feather of the birds at a half dosage solution for 7 days will reduce the external disease and increase naturally the immune system of the birds rapidly.
In controlling the disease, it is important to remember two critical points: firstly, that the older a bird is at the time of exposure, the less likely it is to become unwell, and secondly, that the majority of adult birds that become infected remain asymptomatic and, after being infected and shedding the virus for 4 - 6 months, recover, clear the virus from their systems and are no longer infected. Continuous breeding provides an ongoing pool of young birds that are not only susceptible to the virus but will also be shedding the virus when infected. It also places breeders under significant stress, with the result that more are unlikely to clear the virus from their systems and become carriers and those that do become carriers are likely to shed the virus more frequently. Because of these and other factors, a significant break in breeding is therefore likely to lower the incidence of disease in an aviary and has been reported in some situations to even eradicate the disease.
The virus in the environment is quite a tough one and can survive severe environmental conditions (56C for 2 hours) and many disinfectants. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and chloramines, however, are effective. Birds that are infected shed the virus in their droppings, saliva and feather debris and so contamination of the environment and the stability of the virus can be a problem in the aviary.
Improver and AntiFungal at normal dosage should eradicate the internal infection by bringing back the micro flora to its normal state.
Aviculturalists whose aviaries are free of Polyoma virus must make every effort to prevent entry of the virus.
Aviculturalists whose aviaries are affected by Polyoma virus can reduce (or possibly eradicate) the disease by three straightforward measures:
ongoing hygiene - this will decrease viral build up in the environment, meaning that fewer birds will be expose and those that are will receive a lower viral dose; ongoing good care - the better is the birds general level of care, the more likely they are to not only clinically recover but also the less likely they are to fail to clear the virus and become carriers. Overcrowding, poor nutrition, and ineffective control of parasitic disease increase the vulnerability of the birds to disease generally.
breeding in discrete seasons - it is primarily juveniles and young adults that will be shedding the virus and so stopping breeding for 4 - 6 months will always result in a decreased incidence of the disease. Adults that are asymptomatic carriers (that intermittently shed the virus) can be expected to infect some of their own nestlings and so retaining only proven breeders of healthy youngsters can be expected to further reduce the incidence of the disease.
These and other measures such as separating breeding birds into smaller units, separating birds of different species, and appropriate testing where available may be applicable in certain aviaries. Your avian vet can further advice on factors affecting a particular aviarys unique situation.
Circo virus
The disease caused by Circo virus has many similarities with that caused by Polyoma virus and indeed the two cannot be distinguished clinically. Both cause similar symptoms in unwell birds with young birds being more severely affected. Birds that survive may develop dystrophic feathers and be described as French moulters. Some infected birds will mount an immune response and recover, while others will develop ongoing problems. The diagnosis and control of both diseases have many similarities.
There are, however, several critical differences. Most birds that develop abnormal feathers develop complications associated with the viruss ability to compromise the functioning of the immune system and develop a progressive disease and die.
Circo virus has a long incubation period (up to 20 months or longer). This coupled with the fact that, unlike Polyoma virus, many infected birds fail to mount an immune response and fail to recover, makes a break in breeding an ineffective control tool. As with Polyoma virus, however, ongoing hygiene and good care will help control the virus within the aviary. As always, your avian vet will be able to advise what is best in your situation.
The French Molt is an old name for an old disease, which only in more recent times has become more fully understood. The disease in England was first noticed in birds from France, a hundred or so years ago, and so the English called the disease French Molt. Interestingly, the French noticed the disease in birds from England and so they called the disease British Molt.
When aviculturalists say that a bird has French Molt, they are usually referring to a pigeon that has what are called dystrophic feathers. These feathers have persistent feather sheathes, numerous fret marks, blood and inflammatory debris in the feather shaft, are generally stunted, and wear prematurely. Although any condition that causes general ill-health or damages the feather follicle during the molt can compromise feather quality, birds affected by French Molt are infected with one of two viruses, namely Polyoma virus or Circo virus. Both viruses have the potential to inflame feather follicles, so that the feathers that grow from them are deformed. If this was all that the viruses did it would, perhaps, not be so bad but the changes seen in the feathers represent only part of the overall disease syndrome and for this reason it is important that aviculturalists have a good understanding of these diseases so that appropriate control measures can be undertaken.
Lets look at each of these viral diseases more fully.
Polyoma virus.
Polyoma virus primarily is a budgerigar disease but can affect any pigeon. The symptoms displayed by the birds and the final effect of the virus depend very much on the birds age, immune status and general health at the time of exposure.
The disease.
If Polyoma virus infects nestling pigeons, they become dehydrated, develop swollen abdomens and may bleed easily, resulting in bruising. Such chicks have been described as little red marbles. Many pigeons less than 25 days old will die, with peak mortality occurring between 15 and 19 days of age. Some neonates die quite quickly just being found dead in the nest box. Older chicks are more likely to survive but are likely to develop feather abnormalities. Such youngsters are called French moulters or runners. If mature birds are exposed to the virus, many will become infected but only a few will develop disease. These older birds will often mount an immune response and may well clear the virus from their systems within 4 - 6 months. While infected, however, they will be shedding the virus and are therefore a source of infection. Not all adult birds, however, will clear the virus. Some will remain persistently infected and intermittently shed the virus (particularly when under stress), therefore remaining a potential source of infection.
The disease in other pigeons
Some infected pigeon nestlings will die very quickly, with few or no warning signs, while others develop non-specific signs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, breathlessness, decreased appetite, lethargy and bruising, and may be sick for days or weeks before dying. Older infected youngsters are more likely to survive, while birds affected as adults may show no signs but as with budgies some of these birds will become subclinical carriers of the disease. Some birds will develop a chronic form of disease where they generally just fail to thrive.
The disease in Pigeons.
Polyoma virus can cause deaths in nestlings, young birds and adults. Birds that survive may develop feather and beak abnormalities.
What to do if you are suspicious of Polyoma infection?
The first thing to do is to consult your avian vet to get an accurate diagnosis. Often the history of disease within the aviary and the symptoms displayed by the birds are very suggestive but it makes no sense to start on an extensive control program without making 100% sure that this is in fact the problem. In countries, the disease is usually confirmed by autopsying a recently dead bird and collecting tissue samples that are then forwarded to an avian pathologist for examination. With special stains, the pathologists are able to visualize the virus infecting the birds tissues. In some other countries, a variety of live bird tests are available. These include a PCR/DNA probe test, which can detect viral DNA in blood, tissue or cloacal samples and also blood tests to check for exposure (antibodies) to the virus.
Control
So, what should one do if the disease is confirmed? A variety of protocols has been suggested, ranging from extensive culling to having a break in breeding through to doing nothing and allowing the birds to build up their own immunity.
It is impossible to eradicate the disease through culling because it is almost impossible in Europe to detect asymptomatic carriers. While totally depopulating and restocking is also not practical, because the disease is common, it is likely that the disease would simply be reintroduced with new birds.
It does seem that in many well managed loft, the birds do develop a significant natural immunity to the virus and that although it is frustrating to lose any birds to disease, losses become low level and possibly tolerable. In addition giving the 2 products Improver and AntiFungal in addition of spraying the feather of the birds at a half dosage solution for 7 days will reduce the external disease and increase naturally the immune system of the birds rapidly.
In controlling the disease, it is important to remember two critical points: firstly, that the older a bird is at the time of exposure, the less likely it is to become unwell, and secondly, that the majority of adult birds that become infected remain asymptomatic and, after being infected and shedding the virus for 4 - 6 months, recover, clear the virus from their systems and are no longer infected. Continuous breeding provides an ongoing pool of young birds that are not only susceptible to the virus but will also be shedding the virus when infected. It also places breeders under significant stress, with the result that more are unlikely to clear the virus from their systems and become carriers and those that do become carriers are likely to shed the virus more frequently. Because of these and other factors, a significant break in breeding is therefore likely to lower the incidence of disease in an aviary and has been reported in some situations to even eradicate the disease.
The virus in the environment is quite a tough one and can survive severe environmental conditions (56C for 2 hours) and many disinfectants. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and chloramines, however, are effective. Birds that are infected shed the virus in their droppings, saliva and feather debris and so contamination of the environment and the stability of the virus can be a problem in the aviary.
Improver and AntiFungal at normal dosage should eradicate the internal infection by bringing back the micro flora to its normal state.
Aviculturalists whose aviaries are free of Polyoma virus must make every effort to prevent entry of the virus.
Aviculturalists whose aviaries are affected by Polyoma virus can reduce (or possibly eradicate) the disease by three straightforward measures:
ongoing hygiene - this will decrease viral build up in the environment, meaning that fewer birds will be expose and those that are will receive a lower viral dose; ongoing good care - the better is the birds general level of care, the more likely they are to not only clinically recover but also the less likely they are to fail to clear the virus and become carriers. Overcrowding, poor nutrition, and ineffective control of parasitic disease increase the vulnerability of the birds to disease generally.
breeding in discrete seasons - it is primarily juveniles and young adults that will be shedding the virus and so stopping breeding for 4 - 6 months will always result in a decreased incidence of the disease. Adults that are asymptomatic carriers (that intermittently shed the virus) can be expected to infect some of their own nestlings and so retaining only proven breeders of healthy youngsters can be expected to further reduce the incidence of the disease.
These and other measures such as separating breeding birds into smaller units, separating birds of different species, and appropriate testing where available may be applicable in certain aviaries. Your avian vet can further advice on factors affecting a particular aviarys unique situation.
Circo virus
The disease caused by Circo virus has many similarities with that caused by Polyoma virus and indeed the two cannot be distinguished clinically. Both cause similar symptoms in unwell birds with young birds being more severely affected. Birds that survive may develop dystrophic feathers and be described as French moulters. Some infected birds will mount an immune response and recover, while others will develop ongoing problems. The diagnosis and control of both diseases have many similarities.
There are, however, several critical differences. Most birds that develop abnormal feathers develop complications associated with the viruss ability to compromise the functioning of the immune system and develop a progressive disease and die.
Circo virus has a long incubation period (up to 20 months or longer). This coupled with the fact that, unlike Polyoma virus, many infected birds fail to mount an immune response and fail to recover, makes a break in breeding an ineffective control tool. As with Polyoma virus, however, ongoing hygiene and good care will help control the virus within the aviary. As always, your avian vet will be able to advise what is best in your situation.