At the start for the breeding period, the pigeon has to be free of all common diseases. I mean the diseases you can avoid as a pigeon lover. Namely, trichomoniasis, hexamitiasis, coccidiosis and worm infections.

When there is a severe contamination of trichomoniasis, it is wise to fight of this infection before the breed. This has to be done well in advance because of the influence on the fertility. Preferably, you can give the pigeons, with severe infections, a capsule for the pigeon cancer for two consecutive days. This will cure the infection and the pigeons received the right amount of medication. This means that here is no need to put the pigeons trough unnecessary antibiotics, while the chance of a residual infection is very slim. With antibiotics through the drinking water of the food, this guaranty doesn't exist. As soon as the severe infection is manageable or there's a small and limited infection, one of these capsules on the eggs is required.

Coccidiosis has to be fought off when there is a severe infection. It is the same for worm infections. In case of a worm infection in the fall of winter period, it is advisable to fight off this infection completely. On one hand, to give the youngsters a chance of growing up in a clean nest, and on the other hand, to make sure the birds a free of any infection in the flying season.

Worms as well as coccidian can't be fought off with most disinfectants. This illusion has to be cancelled. These parasites have a mortal respect for the flame and hot air of a paint stripper. This is the only thing that always works. After the antibiotics for coccidiosis or worms, a fire is wanted. Don't forget to pay attention to the tiled path to the dovecot. Even you can be a large source of re-infection.

Worm larvae are also desensitized for the used anthelmintic. Therefor the advice to tackle the worm infection completely is to repeat the antibiotics after ten days.

In the month after the antibiotics, there can't be any worm eggs found in the manure. If there are worm eggs in the manure, the antibiotics weren't effective and they can be insensitive for the used anthelmintic.

If there is a severe worm infection, the pigeon have to be strategically de-wormed. We can assume that the environment is contaminated, which re-infect the pigeons. In exceptional cases, it can be wise to de-worm the pigeons on a monthly base for several months.

The infections have no significant role. So? Omega 3 oil is here to stay during breeding. There are many studies which point to the important role of this oil in the construction of the brains. So in the period from pairing through the lay, it is wise to provide the oil daily. During the moulting period, this is unnecessary. Once or twice a week is sufficient. I prefer the alternation between omega 3 and omega-Nucleovit when the eggs are hatching. The omega-nucleovit contains as well as omega 3 also nucleotides which contribute to the construction of the cells. The body of the pigeon does create these nucleovits, but this is a great effort. When these nucleovits are provided to the pigeons, the bodies can redirect their energy on other important tasks. The result is usually the prosperous raising of the youngsters.

If there seems to be a (hidden) upper respiratory infection, found during a check-up at the vet, the solution can be a combination antibiotic instead of just a cancer cure.

During the breeding period, I advise to use Bony S.G.R. twice a week. But the Bony Base System is also a option.

I wish you a healthy breed.

Good luck,

Peter Boskamp.