Young bird sickness.

[Devo1956]

No mate, I don’t think anyone has even considered training any youngsters yet. Yes all individual lofts. The ones I had were hunched up, no wings dropping and droppings were watery and green. As said none of mine were actually sick but others had birds being sick. I think this is airborne. I say YBS as the late breds in the same section have shown no sign of sickness. However it was reported last week that there had been an outbreak of a suspected mutation of YBS in yearlings down Plymouth way. From what I gather these were in late breds that had been raced in their winter program of 4 or 5 races. These birds wouldn’t actually be yearlings but have now been racing as old birds on the same transporter as ours. So whether our old birds have brought something back or not who knows. As far as I know nobody had any vet tests done.
I have checked the loft again tonight and all looks well. Really strange that it seemed to hit them over a 48 hours period in which the 3 died within just 6 hours but then gone. Hopefully those left have now a good immunity to it and having had it so early in the year I would hope to have no trouble when the young bird training and racing starts. It will be interesting to see how others that use treatments regularly faired.

I hope all clears up for you Andy, and you can get them ready for racing mate. Not a nice thing to happen, it could well be it was brought back to the loft from transporter. It is what happens after that, some handle it but some don't.

[Murray]

Hunched up, green watery droppings. Dead within hours. Sounds like Rota Virus.
When it hit here about 10 years ago, blokes were losing hundreds of pigeons. Same sort of thing. Flying one day, dead on the floor the next.

[Andy]

Hunched up, green watery droppings. Dead within hours. Sounds like Rota Virus.
When it hit here about 10 years ago, blokes were losing hundreds of pigeons. Same sort of thing. Flying one day, dead on the floor the next.

Does that generally just effect young birds over there Murray. I know when farming Rota Virus only affected calves and generally around 10 days old. With the hundreds of cattle I reared over the years I can’t remember any contracting it after being weaned at 35 days old.
I have been up the loft again this morning and all are fine. Just seems so strange that it hit hard but was over so quick without any sort of treatment.

[Murray]

The Rota will kill old stock pigeons that are not fit and healthy. Adult racing pigeons generally survive, but if they were very ill they usually are no good for racing afterwards. Organ damage.
Young birds that are a little bit weaker or not 100 well, it gets them. Fit, healthy youngsters often fight it off, like it appears yours have. When mine got it they were sick but not a single one died, when others were losing them by the dozen.
A clean loft, clean water and natural immunity are all I could put it down to.

[Devo1956]

Looking at the problems with what Andy informed us about, I feel the club could have clubbed together, with each members putting a few pounds together. Then sending some samples of droppings to a vet, to get results of what they are dealing with, its all about working together to find the answers—just my thoughts.

[Murray]

Looking at the problems with what Andy informed us about, I feel the club could have clubbed together, with each members putting a few pounds together. Then sending some samples of droppings to a vet, to get results of what they are dealing with, its all about working together to find the answers—just my thoughts.

I agree, Devo.
At present no one even really knows what they are up against.
My 2 bob says it's Rota, but sending a couple of samples for testing would soon say.

[Devo1956]

Looking at the problems with what Andy informed us about, I feel the club could have clubbed together, with each members putting a few pounds together. Then sending some samples of droppings to a vet, to get results of what they are dealing with, its all about working together to find the answers—just my thoughts.

I agree, Devo.
At present no one even really knows what they are up against.
My 2 bob says it's Rota, but sending a couple of samples for testing would soon say.

I think it needs to be looked at by all club members. If all members put in £1.00 per week to the club for health issues. There would be a fund built up for sending samples of droppings to a vet. then the results could show what the members are dealing with. If there is enough money in the fund, buying products to spray the racing creates keeping on top of hygiene. To minimise risks.

[Andy]

Just 2 days after I lost the 3 in one day you wouldn’t know there had been a problem. There is no sign of any illness and all look well. I know my way is different but I wouldn’t have treated even if I had known what it was. I’m not interested in keeping birds that fall ill. They either recover by themselves or die. If they survive they will be much stronger and have a better immune system for it.

[Murray]

Just 2 days after I lost the 3 in one day you wouldn’t know there had been a problem. There is no sign of any illness and all look well. I know my way is different but I wouldn’t have treated even if I had known what it was. I’m not interested in keeping birds that fall ill. They either recover by themselves or die. If they survive they will be much stronger and have a better immune system for it.

I fully agree, Andy.
A strong immune system built up from exposure to germs and viruses is, in my opinion, superior to as many vaccinations and medications as you can stick into them.
A clean dry loft, clean but not sterile drinkers, and a balanced diet, on that mine don't get sick. It's simple management, really, isn't it.

[Andy]

Just 2 days after I lost the 3 in one day you wouldn’t know there had been a problem. There is no sign of any illness and all look well. I know my way is different but I wouldn’t have treated even if I had known what it was. I’m not interested in keeping birds that fall ill. They either recover by themselves or die. If they survive they will be much stronger and have a better immune system for it.

I fully agree, Andy.
A strong immune system built up from exposure to germs and viruses is, in my opinion, superior to as many vaccinations and medications as you can stick into them.
A clean dry loft, clean but not sterile drinkers, and a balanced diet, on that mine don't get sick. It's simple management, really, isn't it.

I think with this one I had very little time to act against the infection even if I wanted too. Certainly any vet dropping tests wouldn’t have given any results in time. It will be interesting to find out from fellow club members how their birds recovered compared to mine.