vaccinations for pigeons? another update

[chinbunny]

I keep reading over on eggbid that som of the show birds are vaccinated. I didn't know you could vaccinate them for stuff. What are they supposed to be for, and how do you guys do it?

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

There are three vaccinations to choose from.

PMV (paramyxovirus) type 1 (killed vaccine).
Pigeon Pox (live vaccine).
Paratyphoid (killed as well, I believe).

All three are optional and none are as horrible as some of the things chickens can get. PMV and Paratyphoid are very similar except PMV is a virus and must take its course. It can cause neuro damage though if the case is severe enough, giving the birds episodes under stress. Basically the virus makes them 'stargaze', or twist their neck in odd positions like some kind of nervous fit. Paratyphoid is caused by a bacteria (salmonella), and can effect a bird in many ways. One way is like PMV, another effects the bowls/disgestive system. It can also get isolated in the sex organs and cause infertility, but otherwise not effect the bird. The disease can then be easily passed to the eggs, which brings us to the 4th 'form'...death in the shell or shortly after hatching.
Pox is like pox in chickens. Gives the bird these yellow lesions on the skin, usually around the face, in the beak, or 'belly button'

These dry up and fall off eventually, usually within 4-6 weeks. Highly contagious but usually not severe enough to cause death. It can however, cause some major deformities. Those lesions eat up skin and can mold the beak. I had a dove with it on the tip of the lower beak, inside. Once the scab fell off, he had a dent in both the top and lower beak, and when he closed his mouth you could see sort of an outline where it'd been sitting.

All three of these can be prevented. The most important of the vaccines, in my opinion, is the PMV. Paratyphoid isn't even a virus, so it can be taken care of with antibiotics if it comes up. It can also be prevented (or aid in prevention) with apple cider vinegar, which discourages the growth of salmonella bacteria.
PMV can be really hard to deal with because sometimes the birds cannot eat or drink on their own due to the twisted neck. Pox comes, goes, and all is well. Although if a show bird were to get it, it could surely cause some damage, leaving it useless in the show pen.





Now as for how to vaccinate them, I do all of my vaccinations in the back of the neck at the base. The Pox vaccine is a brush-on. You pluck some feathers from the breast and brush the vaccine on, the pox sprouts (minor infection, don't worry), dries and falls off, and that bird is then immune for life. This vaccine only needs to be done once. The others will need to be repeated annually (although I think the paratyphoid one has some extra instructions...can't remember).
They can also be taken in the underside of the leg. Never done it but I know you can. All these vaccines should come with little instructions and pictures of where to administer them.

 

[chinbunny]

I have not seen the first and later, but I am still having problems with death in the egg prior to hatching. Oxytetracyline doesn't seem to work on it.

Where do yu get the vaccines from? How much vinegar should be mixed intheir water. Iknow its two teaspoons when given to rabbits.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Your birds could have paratyphoid then. They don't have to have all those symptoms to have it. Probably the best medication for Paratyphoid is Baytril (Enrofloxacin). Sulmet is a good working alternative (plus, it's probably more commonly found locally than baytril is).
I get my meds at these places:
http://www.siegelpigeons.com/catalog.html
http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/589-587.html

Oh and I forgot to mention another sign of Paratyphoid. The birds can get 'boils' on the wings or other joints.




For the ACV, it's a tablespoon per gallon.

 

[chinbunny]

Ive tried sulmet before. Not on pigeons but rabbits. I found it to be kind of a useless drug. I can get baytril from my vet. He'll sell it to me over the counter for my birds and rabbits. Would it be best to invest in the vaccine for it too? Those websites are great. Thanks.

They are on oxytetracyline and corid right now, along with my rabbits.

 

[Blue Capuchine]

Hi Chinbunny
Are the babies making it clear to the hatching time and then not getting out of the shell? Or are they dying half way? If it is Paratyphoid the best is to vaccinate with sal-bac. You never know if your birds drink enough if it is mixed in the water. Also if you are showing you should be vaccinating for PMV it will wipe out your flock if you once get it in them.

 

[ghulst]

I would never vac. a pigeon. I have raised pigeons for 50+ years and have had the 3 deceies but they arn't very bad. Keep your loft dry with good air movement and don't croud then and you will never lose a bird. Hope to see you at the big show in Louisville this weekend.

 

[chinbunny]

Most of them die two weeks before they hatch. Those that did make it past hatching this year died shortly after. I had one baby that had to be helped out of the shell and it still died. I only show once a year, though the vaccinations would be good idea to try. Thanks for the advice.

ghulst, if I can get a sucessful hatch, I won't have to worry about vaccinating. My birds are all in cages by the trio or pair. So they are kept pretty clean, and dry. I don't go to the big pigeon shows yet. can't afford them. I only show at one open class poultry fair show each year. The big shows are way too far away for me.

 

[ghulst]

Try letting your pigeons fly in a bigger pen or coop. I never had very good production in small pens.Pigeons are social birds that mate only in pairs. Xtra cocks or hens will upset the apple cart.
If you need more info just PM me.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Yep, sounds like you have paratyphoid in the loft! Death in the shell, death shortly after hatching...rapid death in young birds in general. I'd give everyone a round of Baytril. Then wait two weeks after the meds to let them start raising again.