The Diseases of Racing Pigeons

By "Squills"

This vintage book contains a comprehensive guide to pigeon diseases, and includes information on diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. This accessible and informative guide contains a wealth of information that would be of utility to the modern pigeon fancier, and will make for a great addition to collections antiquarian literature. The chapters of this book include: 'Pigeons', 'Pigeon Diseases', 'Canker', 'Diarrhea', 'Egg Binding', 'Exhaustion', 'Feather Rot', 'Going Light', 'Hard-Shelled Eggs', 'Megrims', 'One-Eyed Cold', 'Rheumatism', 'Soft-Shelled Eggs', 'Wing Disease', and 'Worms'. This vintage volume is being republished now in an affordable, modern edition - complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on pigeons.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Mar 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781444659580

Book preview

Pigeon Diseases.

By SQUILLS.

During the long period that I have been associated with pigeons and pigeon breeding as a fancier, I have received many and varied applications for advice. For this reason, and in order that beginners may have before them a few brief suggestions relative to the most common forms of disease in pigeons, I have endeavoured to put on record, briefly and in terse language, the symptoms of various pigeon diseases, their causes, and simple remedies that I have found the most effective.

Upon the aptitude of a fancier to know when his birds are healthy, or when they are diseased, depends his success as a pigeon breeder.

First let me describe the appearance of a healthy pigeon.

The most important consideration is the plumage.

The feathers should be close-fitting and the ground colour clear and clean.

In self-coloured birds the bars should stand out clear and well, and to find any dulness of one colour against the other is an indication that all is not right.

The feet are a good indication as to the health.

Hot feet are unnatural. Pigeon’s feet should be moderately cool, and the colour of the legs and feet clear and bright.

When the colour of the feet is pale and dull, with dull plumage as well, it is a sure sign all is not well.

The eye is another important factor from which health or condition can be judged.

The experienced fancier can learn much from the eyes of his pigeons. They appear to speak to him and tell him just how the subject feels.

Immediately a bird becomes sick, the eye indicates the trouble sooner than anything.

A clear, bright eye is the surest indication of health I know, and as soon as a fancier can understand reading the health of his pigeons through the optic organs, he has learned much.

Clear white wattles, and hard, clean cere are also good indications of health.

Birds that keep clean in the wattle when feeding their young are generally all right inside, but birds that go greasy on the beak and dirty in front when feeding must be watched, particularly if, in addition, the plumage loses colour and sheen.

So much for outward appearance of health; now let us examine the mouth and throat.

In young and old the most common disease amongst pigeons is throat trouble.

Open the beak, examine the throat well, and look for small yellow spots. If these or yellow growths are to be found anywhere in the mouth, it is a certain indication that the blood is diseased.

In young birds, of from four to five weeks old, canker is very common either in the pharynx or mouth. When the surface can be got at it can be treated and cured, but if the growth is in the pharynx, treatment is very difficult, and it is best to kill the subject.

Examine the beak. It should be dry and free from any stain.

Should there be any indications of stain on the beak under the wattle, carefully press the wattles and see if there is any mucous discharge. Catarrh and one-eyed cold show themselves first in this form.

Birds in good health are lively, vivacious, their feathers tight and close-fitting, appetites good, droppings firm and clean, nicely tipped with urine, which is the white against the coloured ground of the droppings.

Too much importance cannot be attached to the examination of the excretions in order to judge as to the health or disease of subjects.

Green, watery, fœtid droppings are a sure sign that the health of the bird is below par.

Small, clear pebbly excretions from youngsters in the nest, and old birds, is a sign that the food is right, and that they are thriving. Pigeons with the least semblance of diarrhœa are not fit to race, and must be guardedly watched.

I have penned this brief introduction in order that the beginner can examine a pigeon he may be about to purchase, and generally form an opinion as to its health and soundness.

Once learn exactly how the subject should be in its normal state, and you will readily appreciate when disease is present. A pigeon