Young bird sickness.

[Murray]

King I understand what you are saying, but I still say stress as a lot to do with YBS. Nurture plays a big part in development, every living thing needs stepping stones in life.
Growth and development all takes time, so more nurture helps relieve stress. Again different views makes a very good topic.

Yes I would agree with you King, another factor of YBS.

Stress MAYBE is a trigger to YBS, but it's NOT the cause. And I've known fanciers get YBS before their birds are subjected to any stress ie training or racing? The majority of fanciers catch YBS when racing with their birds bringing it back while racing.

I would tend to agree with that. Adeno is a virus and e. Coli is a bacterial infection. Stress cannot cause YBS but it can reduce the resistance and allow the diseases to get a foothold. I think young birds that are in Super dooper condition contact the germs and resist them. Birds that are a little tired or a little backward in condition are prime targets. Just my view.

[Murray]

And we neatly evaded the topic, which is that excessive use of antibiotics may affect the pigeon's natural resistance and make them more prone to illness, which then requires more medication and it can become an endless cycle.
I have no proof, but when I get pigeons from a place where they have a regular treatment schedule, and instead give them an all natural diet, they immediately improve in condition.
Maybe it's just coincidence.

[Andy]

There was a lot of talk about YBS at our club last night. More than half of our club members youngsters have gone down with it over the last week, including mine. It can’t be due to stress as a lot of these youngsters have been weaned for a long time now and just flying around home. I have thought that there may have been a link between the darkness system and natural but although all other members in my club are on darkness, I’m not. I think darkness could cause an element of stress as the birds are being forced into an unnatural moult, but that just my opinion. Could be a link with the PMV vaccine but none of my youngsters have been vaccinated yet. It does seem a common problem now.
The big difference though is how bad some lofts are effected and how treatment is given. The members who have had pigeons die or had to be disposed of are mainly those that threat for all sorts. These are trying treatments. Mine get nothing and although they’ve got it, it is quite mild and the worse couple are improving. It’s not YBS that kills them it’s the other diseases that they contract while laid low with YBS. This is where those lofts that continually treat have birds with little natural immunity. Just my thoughts on it and appreciate that others will have theirs.

[Devo1956]

I find in every day life, not only people but also pets and other types of animals. If not in good health or a weak immune system, they soon become stressful and things start to break down.
It can come to a stage that it leads to other things, and the break down happens. to the point of no return.
Stress occurs when animals have to make extreme and/or prolonged physiological and behavioural adjustments in order to cope with their environment.

S Situations

T That

R Release

E Emergency

S Signals for

S Survival

Animals can experience three types of stress:

Physical – due to fatigue or injury.
Physiological – due to hunger, thirst or temperature control.
Behavioural – due to the environment, unfamiliar people or surroundings.
The factors which can cause stress are called stressors, e.g. noise, unfamiliar pen-mates or dogs. Although many animals might be able to tolerate a single stressor for a short period of time, multiple stressors over a long period of time may lead to distress and suffering.

The ability of animals to cope with stress will also depend on:

the genetic background of the species;
the animal’s past experiences.

There is a lot to consider.

[Murray]

And we all give a round big round of applause to Andy for explaining the facts.
I thought i had done that a couple of days ago.
No one read that, apparently

[Devo1956]

So my question is, if you suspect YBS in your loft. What actions do you take?

[Murray]

There is no such thing as Young Bird Sickness.
Once we get that out of our heads we can progress.
There are several viral and bacterial illnesses which can cause sickness.

[king]

There is no such thing as Young Bird Sickness.
Once we get that out of our heads we can progress.
There are several viral and bacterial illnesses which can cause sickness.

Young Bird Sickness is a blanket term. And there IS such a thing, whatever IT is, IT is real. I no longer race but in the last few years that I did, I sent 100% healthy YBs to their first race, only for them to return with IT.
If I were ever to race again, which is unlikely I would not race YBs at all.

[Devo1956]

I found this reading, which i feel it is a very good article. I hope some members get the time to read it.

https://www.elimarpigeons.com/articles/ ... y-27-08-21

[Murray]

That sums it up very well, I think. As King says, the term YBS describes the syndrome, not the illness. If the pigeons are exposed to several stress factors or even one for too long, they can be weakened to the point where diseases can overwhelm them.
The race hamper is certainly the worst place for picking up viruses and bacteria.