In our 4th year of racing pigeons, we are running the most unclean breeding loft and the best batch of young birds. Very few lost young birds where it used to be at least 50%..
As long if the loft is dry and the birds are not crowded there is no need to clean continuously. A deep litter increases the health of the colony if the birds are healthy.
Agree 100% regarding the use antibiotics and developing a population of birds with strong immune systems. With this in mind, how do you approach the sourcing of new birds intended for breeding… to not take a step backward.
I bring in new birds and realize the first year they may not raise healthy babies. If I could I would buy from fanciers that do not medicate but you just never know who they are. I let the new birds build up their natural immunity and do not worry about the first year breeding results with new pigeons. After the first year their immune system is not caught up to my pigeons and they must raise super babies.
Two solid colored racing pigeons with no white flights or specks. Select this one every time and your chances for a champion breeder goes up drastically. When I was a kid I noticed everything about each pigeon. My top breeders, one a mealy and one a check had all white toe nails and none of the others had white toe nails. In the 1980's I was reading the book 'The Elite' and Gommaire Verbruggen the famous Belgian stated the more often than not a champion racer or breeder had one of more white toe nails. The pigeon must be solid colored. with not white at all. I asked Verbruggen about this when I visited in the early 90's and he showed me his champions with white toe nails. I have had many super breeders with black toe nails also but some of the best ever had white. Why? Not really sure.
Two solid colored racing pigeons with no white flights or specks. Select this one every time and your chances for a champion breeder goes up drastically. When I was a kid I noticed everything about each pigeon. My top breeders, one a mealy and one a check had all white toe nails and none of the others had white toe nails. In the 1980's I was reading the book 'The Elite' and Gommaire Verbruggen the famous Belgian stated the more often than not a champion racer or breeder had one of more white toe nails. The pigeon must be solid colored. with not white at all. I asked Verbruggen about this when I visited in the early 90's and he showed me his champions with white toe nails. I have had many super breeders with black toe nails also but some of the best ever had white. Why? Not really sure.
thank you Frank. it took years for me to develop natural immunity strong. I am agree that exposing to pathogen is the only way we can make them strong while keeping an eye/treatment of individual. if we fail to make it, I don't think they can survive on truck where they have to drink/eat from community serving :)
Great points. I have no worries about mixing during racing and exposure to other pigeons. The immune systems do get stronger and stronger the longer we decide to only breed from the pigeons that can excel antibiotic free.
Frank, have you done much research into Lysine and Methionine (both amino acids) supplements? There is quite a lot of research on both for use in poultry, but not so much research in pigeons. One study done on pigeons in China for egg production (they consider them a delicacy) showed dramatic improvements in egg development and quality from Lysine supplements. Both have also shown marked improvements in the muscle development and growth rate of squabs for utility use.
Very interesting stuff. I must do some research. I may worry about promoting the growth of young pigeons. If anything we want them to grow but not grow too fast or too big. We are always trying to keep the size down. If pigeons are never raced they grow larger than pigeons that are flown and raced.
@McLaughlin Lofts On a side note, some relatively recent research has proven that a lack of adequate amino acids leads to substantial shrinkage of brain matter after birth in both lab mice and humans. Of course, this results in considerable mental and physiological impairments of those afflicted. In the human subjects, quite a number of the afflicted later proved to be autistic. My guess is that a pigeon suffering from the same sort of deficiencies would also be adversely impacted, possibly leading to less tgan superior performance.
I have had some over the years recover from PMV. They can be used for breeding but they can no longer be raced. If they recover from PMV they are immune for live and will be okay and pass this immunity to the babies. Usually they have some neurological issues but still can live a productive life.
If your pigeons are vaccinated and you follow a good natural health program you can quarantine the new bird for a couple weeks. I do not worry so much about quarantining if the new bird is healthy, vaccinated, sprayed and wormed. My birds have had much exposure to everything. Two week quarantine might be best to be safe.
You mentioned deep litter system in your other videos. Do you use this system? if yes is there a chance can you show some videos how to use it never have heard or seen this in other fanciers
A good oregano product will help and some friendly gut bacteria. More will be achieved by natural health because the good bacteria takes over and is not upset but antibiotics.
You can vaccinate for PMV anytime during breeding and it does not affect them. You should not vaccinate for Salmonella during breeding. The pigeons after a salmonella vaccination feel sick and may not care for the babies.
I do not pay any attention to this. I have seen it occasionally. If the pigeons are acting completely healthy it could be a genetic trait in some of the birds.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons I don’t think it’s genetics cause the breeders don’t have it. And most of my young birds had it during race season. Almost looks like burnt tip . They seem normal other wise. Anyways. Thank you for the reply. I’ll keep digging as searching
Mr mclaughlin i have two questions in trinidad we have two young birds race 31st August 23, and 24th September 23.i have breeders now starting to lay you think ill have enough time to train and make the race dates.
Hi Frank, I just had a bird come down with canker. About 8 weeks old and I separated it from the rest of my YB’s. Should I put him with the other young ones so the become more immune? How should I treat?
I would treat with Flagyl Tablets or metrodonizol for a few days in a row and it should be cleared up. I am not sure if your birds have been on natural health for a long time. It is better to separate the bird from the others now. In the future when your pigeons have better immune systems leave the canker bird in with the others. I have been on natural health for so long I actual welcome a bird with canker to help boost the others.
Hey Frank, you've mentioned that you treat for PMV/Salmonella almost as a top priority. What if someone has around 5 to 6 weeks before old bird racing season and haven't vaccinated his flock yet. Would you consider vaccinating an entire race team for PMV/Salmonella anyway and wait at least a week for the vaccine to kick in before continuing loft trainings/road trainings?
Hello Marcin, You can vaccinate now and only give the pigeons two days of rest after the vaccine. They are sometimes mildly effected the day after the vaccine but are good after that. I just vaccinated my race team this past weekend but I have not started to train them. My races start April 14th and I will not let them out and slowly train to maybe 40 miles. I will start this weekend.
Hi frank I enjoy your video. Got 2 question what do you use to treat pigeon for respiratory? 2nd question eye cold has to do with respiratory or is different?
I use the injectable antibiotic for any respiratory problem. I can inject one pigeon for one eye cold or rattles etc. I buy LA 200 and Oxytetracycline at Tractor Supply. Buy LA 200 not the generic. Buy the tiny bottle. One shot behind the neck at 0.4 ml cures any respiratory problem fast and you should never need more than one injection one time.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons I have been using LA200 for for 5 years now. But hear that they going to pull them off the shelf and you have got to vet to get it. This why I thought I would ask to see what you use. Thank you
@@pphc8809 yes LA 200 is antibiotic. But Frank said he doesn’t flock treat. But if he has one that might get sick with respiratory problem. He has used it in the past. But if you or anyone had very very good racing pigeon they would probably treat them. Just that one pigeon. I know I would
I do treat birds individually and LA 200 Injectable is great. If the bird gets sick a second time I do not keep it. If I like the bird I will give it a chance but never flock treat only individually treat them.
Hi Frank Great video I just need to know that you mentioned that you give medicines like wormer and also vaccinate but do not give antibiotics Do you give regular kanker and cocci meds?
I have not treated for cocci in over 20 years and have not treated for canker in 10 years. My birds race to the top week after week and I have had much success in One Loft Races. No flock treatment with any meds ever. It is not needed if you commit to natural health.
You are correct. I use both natural products and they are said to help. I have done just as much winning not using either product some years. I do not know if they make a difference for my pigeons because my birds have been building the natural immune system for so long.
I use Van Beek Avian Solution sold only by Jedds.com. It is much more concentrated than Ropa B and much less expensive. Ropa B is excellent but I feel Avian Solution is the best.
Do you think that vaccinating the pigeons over many generations has weakened the immunity system in the pigeons . I can remember the first year that compulsory vaccination came into the sport and there were fanciers that packed up racing they were strongly against vaccination . There was a school of thought that if the disease was allowed to run its cause we would have had pigeons that had strong immunity against the disease I wonder how that would have worked out .
I do not feel that vaccinating for something like PMV has hurt at all. Too many pigeons would die without the vaccine. I am sure if no one vaccinated for 30 years the 10% that survived would have a better immunity to PMV but I do not think this would help performance.
💯 agree the more you pamper yhem the more they get weake
In our 4th year of racing pigeons, we are running the most unclean breeding loft and the best batch of young birds. Very few lost young birds where it used to be at least 50%..
As long if the loft is dry and the birds are not crowded there is no need to clean continuously. A deep litter increases the health of the colony if the birds are healthy.
3rd year antibiotic free,Correct Frank they get stronger and stronger. Mike 😊
Great to hear, Mike. They will get stronger and stronger if you can believe it.
Also the weak pretty much eliminate themselves
Thank you Frank
Happy you liked it.
Thanks for all your advices. Also crossing the pigeons make them stronger. With all the inbreding the pigeons get weaker.
Good point. Inbreeding does not help in anyway and certainly can make the immune system weaker.
Agree 100% regarding the use antibiotics and developing a population of birds with strong immune systems. With this in mind, how do you approach the sourcing of new birds intended for breeding… to not take a step backward.
I bring in new birds and realize the first year they may not raise healthy babies. If I could I would buy from fanciers that do not medicate but you just never know who they are. I let the new birds build up their natural immunity and do not worry about the first year breeding results with new pigeons. After the first year their immune system is not caught up to my pigeons and they must raise super babies.
TRUE
another exelent vidio frank
I appreciate this!
Another gem thank you 👍
Mr mclaughlin also I saw you made a short video on the colour off the bird toe nails can you elaborate more on this topic please.
I'd be interested in that too :)
Two solid colored racing pigeons with no white flights or specks. Select this one every time and your chances for a champion breeder goes up drastically.
When I was a kid I noticed everything about each pigeon. My top breeders, one a mealy and one a check had all white toe nails and none of the others had white toe nails. In the 1980's I was reading the book 'The Elite' and Gommaire Verbruggen the famous Belgian stated the more often than not a champion racer or breeder had one of more white toe nails. The pigeon must be solid colored. with not white at all.
I asked Verbruggen about this when I visited in the early 90's and he showed me his champions with white toe nails. I have had many super breeders with black toe nails also but some of the best ever had white. Why? Not really sure.
Two solid colored racing pigeons with no white flights or specks. Select this one every time and your chances for a champion breeder goes up drastically.
When I was a kid I noticed everything about each pigeon. My top breeders, one a mealy and one a check had all white toe nails and none of the others had white toe nails. In the 1980's I was reading the book 'The Elite' and Gommaire Verbruggen the famous Belgian stated the more often than not a champion racer or breeder had one of more white toe nails. The pigeon must be solid colored. with not white at all.
I asked Verbruggen about this when I visited in the early 90's and he showed me his champions with white toe nails. I have had many super breeders with black toe nails also but some of the best ever had white. Why? Not really sure.
Muy instructivos sus vídeos. Felicidades. Saludos desde cuba
Gracias Amigo!
Great video. Thanks for the wisdom.
Thank you. I am having fun.
Great video Frank 👍
Thanks for the Tips.
You bet. Glad you enjoyed.
This Episode is not brought to you by Phizer!
Growing up my mum always let us play in the mud and in the bushes and river because she said it would help build ower emunaty
You Mom did the right thing. Kids have poor immune systems because they are not exposed to dirt and animals etc.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons lol I was eating worms, bugs n grubs before I could even walk 😂 😂
thank you Frank. it took years for me to develop natural immunity strong. I am agree that exposing to pathogen is the only way we can make them strong while keeping an eye/treatment of individual. if we fail to make it, I don't think they can survive on truck where they have to drink/eat from community serving :)
Great points. I have no worries about mixing during racing and exposure to other pigeons. The immune systems do get stronger and stronger the longer we decide to only breed from the pigeons that can excel antibiotic free.
Thanks, again Frank great info … 😊
Hey yall where can i find the pmv/salmonella vaccine at a good price?
Try Global Pigeon Supply
Frank, have you done much research into Lysine and Methionine (both amino acids) supplements? There is quite a lot of research on both for use in poultry, but not so much research in pigeons. One study done on pigeons in China for egg production (they consider them a delicacy) showed dramatic improvements in egg development and quality from Lysine supplements. Both have also shown marked improvements in the muscle development and growth rate of squabs for utility use.
Very interesting stuff. I must do some research. I may worry about promoting the growth of young pigeons. If anything we want them to grow but not grow too fast or too big. We are always trying to keep the size down. If pigeons are never raced they grow larger than pigeons that are flown and raced.
@McLaughlin Lofts On a side note, some relatively recent research has proven that a lack of adequate amino acids leads to substantial shrinkage of brain matter after birth in both lab mice and humans. Of course, this results in considerable mental and physiological impairments of those afflicted. In the human subjects, quite a number of the afflicted later proved to be autistic. My guess is that a pigeon suffering from the same sort of deficiencies would also be adversely impacted, possibly leading to less tgan superior performance.
Certainly could make a difference and proper nutrition with variation is important.
Hey frank if u had a bird u really liked came down with pmv would you save it?
I have had some over the years recover from PMV. They can be used for breeding but they can no longer be raced. If they recover from PMV they are immune for live and will be okay and pass this immunity to the babies. Usually they have some neurological issues but still can live a productive life.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons that's good to hear what is a good quarantine period ?
If your pigeons are vaccinated and you follow a good natural health program you can quarantine the new bird for a couple weeks. I do not worry so much about quarantining if the new bird is healthy, vaccinated, sprayed and wormed. My birds have had much exposure to everything. Two week quarantine might be best to be safe.
You mentioned deep litter system in your other videos. Do you use this system? if yes is there a chance can you show some videos how to use it never have heard or seen this in other fanciers
I will try to show my deep litter system. It is a great system for increasing the immune system and passing good bacteria to the youngsters.
Any suggestions to maintain good gut health for pigeons?
A good oregano product will help and some friendly gut bacteria. More will be achieved by natural health because the good bacteria takes over and is not upset but antibiotics.
😮thanks ❤
Can you vaccinate breeders, that are raising babies atm / or incubating eggs will it be safe for the babies or future babies
You can vaccinate for PMV anytime during breeding and it does not affect them. You should not vaccinate for Salmonella during breeding. The pigeons after a salmonella vaccination feel sick and may not care for the babies.
What’s the diagnosis on a black / dark grey tongue tip? I noticed it on my young birds last season.
I do not pay any attention to this. I have seen it occasionally. If the pigeons are acting completely healthy it could be a genetic trait in some of the birds.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons I don’t think it’s genetics cause the breeders don’t have it. And most of my young birds had it during race season. Almost looks like burnt tip . They seem normal other wise. Anyways. Thank you for the reply. I’ll keep digging as searching
Keep me posted. Maybe nutrition or something is not quite right.
Whats a deep litter system
A deep litter system is some type of substrate like wood shavings, wood chips, wood pellets on the floor mixed with pigeon droppings.
Would pine needles work ?
I have not tried pine needles but they should work.
Mr mclaughlin i have two questions in trinidad we have two young birds race 31st August 23, and 24th September 23.i have breeders now starting to lay you think ill have enough time to train and make the race dates.
Hi Kevin, You have enough time. You will wean them in May and can start training late July. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Frank, I just had a bird come down with canker. About 8 weeks old and I separated it from the rest of my YB’s. Should I put him with the other young ones so the become more immune? How should I treat?
I would treat with Flagyl Tablets or metrodonizol for a few days in a row and it should be cleared up. I am not sure if your birds have been on natural health for a long time. It is better to separate the bird from the others now. In the future when your pigeons have better immune systems leave the canker bird in with the others. I have been on natural health for so long I actual welcome a bird with canker to help boost the others.
Hey Frank, you've mentioned that you treat for PMV/Salmonella almost as a top priority. What if someone has around 5 to 6 weeks before old bird racing season and haven't vaccinated his flock yet. Would you consider vaccinating an entire race team for PMV/Salmonella anyway and wait at least a week for the vaccine to kick in before continuing loft trainings/road trainings?
Hello Marcin, You can vaccinate now and only give the pigeons two days of rest after the vaccine. They are sometimes mildly effected the day after the vaccine but are good after that. I just vaccinated my race team this past weekend but I have not started to train them. My races start April 14th and I will not let them out and slowly train to maybe 40 miles. I will start this weekend.
Thank you so much!
Hi frank I enjoy your video. Got 2 question what do you use to treat pigeon for respiratory? 2nd question eye cold has to do with respiratory or is different?
I use the injectable antibiotic for any respiratory problem. I can inject one pigeon for one eye cold or rattles etc. I buy LA 200 and Oxytetracycline at Tractor Supply. Buy LA 200 not the generic. Buy the tiny bottle. One shot behind the neck at 0.4 ml cures any respiratory problem fast and you should never need more than one injection one time.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons I have been using LA200 for for 5 years now. But hear that they going to pull them off the shelf and you have got to vet to get it. This why I thought I would ask to see what you use. Thank you
Hi
Is LA200 an antibiotic? I am asking because you mentioned that you keep your pigeons free medication?
@@pphc8809 yes LA 200 is antibiotic. But Frank said he doesn’t flock treat. But if he has one that might get sick with respiratory problem. He has used it in the past. But if you or anyone had very very good racing pigeon they would probably treat them. Just that one pigeon. I know I would
I do treat birds individually and LA 200 Injectable is great. If the bird gets sick a second time I do not keep it. If I like the bird I will give it a chance but never flock treat only individually treat them.
Hi Frank
Great video
I just need to know that you mentioned that you give medicines like wormer and also vaccinate but do not give antibiotics
Do you give regular kanker and cocci meds?
I have not treated for cocci in over 20 years and have not treated for canker in 10 years. My birds race to the top week after week and I have had much success in One Loft Races. No flock treatment with any meds ever. It is not needed if you commit to natural health.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons thanks it's my ambition also to fly on a natural system
Yellow drops is for canker and apple cider vinegar helps to
Make a commitment to natural health. It will be beneficial over time.
You are correct. I use both natural products and they are said to help. I have done just as much winning not using either product some years. I do not know if they make a difference for my pigeons because my birds have been building the natural immune system for so long.
Hi sir, can you make a video on pigeon bloom . How to deal with it to avoid it and still keeping pigeons
That is a great idea and I will try to do a video on this.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons that will be wonderful
❤
Ropa-B oregano?
I've been using Ropa-B for about 5 years and I have not lost any babies or birds since i started using it.
I use Van Beek Avian Solution sold only by Jedds.com. It is much more concentrated than Ropa B and much less expensive. Ropa B is excellent but I feel Avian Solution is the best.
Do you think that vaccinating the pigeons over many generations has weakened the immunity system in the pigeons . I can remember the first year that compulsory vaccination came into the sport and there were fanciers that packed up racing they were strongly against vaccination . There was a school of thought that if the disease was allowed to run its cause we would have had pigeons that had strong immunity against the disease I wonder how that would have worked out .
I do not feel that vaccinating for something like PMV has hurt at all. Too many pigeons would die without the vaccine. I am sure if no one vaccinated for 30 years the 10% that survived would have a better immunity to PMV but I do not think this would help performance.
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He Jean well but your are totally wrong
What is the question or what you feel is wrong?