Soaring Through Summer: The Season for Homing Pigeon Competitions

The breeding and preparation of homing pigeons for the racing season requires a lot of thought on the part of breeders! What feed mix to give, what supplements to use, what tactics to use during preparation? There are some areas of training and feeding that should not be neglected, as they are the basis for successful pigeon rearing and training! These important questions include: how can I ensure that my homing pigeons maintain good immunity, condition and stress tolerance throughout the racing season? In the following we will look for the answers!

Mycotoxins In Feed: The Invisible Enemy

We read and hear a lot about the various complaints caused by mycotoxins, the excretion products of microscopic moulds that colonise inadequately treated and stored feed grains, which can sometimes cause the fatal weakening and poisoning of the pigeon's organism.

The effects of mycotoxins on the pigeon's organism are extremely complex: in particular, they place an enormous strain on the liver, the detoxifying organ. The accumulation of unneutralised toxins in pigeon blood can cause low immunity, reduced feed intake or rejection of feed, stunted development, reduced fertility, empty eggs, reduced flight performance, and increased susceptibility to infections and disease.

The contamination of feed is often not visible to the naked eye, and pigeons may also pick up mycotoxin-contaminated grains from the fields, so the control of mycotoxins and the administration of mycotoxin neutralising products to pigeons from a young age should be a priority in the rearing of homing pigeons. In today's polluted environment, it is often too late to treat a problem that has already developed: the emphasis should be on prevention, as it is much more difficult - if not impossible - to treat an already established disease, than to prevent it.

Let's learn about the most common moulds that contaminate the food of homing pigeons, the mycotoxins they produce and their effects!

• Aspergillus species: The mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species are the aflatoxins, which can cause liver damage, reduced immunity, stunted development in youngsters, and increased mortality.

• Fusarium species: mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species are trichothecenes (e.g. deoxynivalenol), zearalenone, and fumonisins. These mycotoxins cause reduced feed intake, reproductive problems, reduced immunity, liver and kidney damage.

• Penicillium species: the mycotoxin produced by Penicillium species is Ochratoxin-A, which causes kidney damage, immune suppression, reduced growth rate and it also has potential carcinogenic effects.

These moulds and their mycotoxins pose a significant health risk to homing pigeons, affecting their overall health, productivity and longevity. Control and proper storage of feed grains is essential to minimise the risk of mould contamination and exposure to mycotoxins, but contamination is still often present.

Herbs Against Mycotoxins

Some herbs (such as Andrographis paniculata and Phyllanthus niruri) have been shown to be effective in helping the liver and other excretory organs to neutralise and eliminate mycotoxins. SUPERLIV oral liquid contains 17 other herbal active ingredients in addition to the above herbs, and is effective in supporting liver function and detoxification. Continuous detoxification of the body is the basis for strengthening the immune system, building up a fit and healthy physique and, in the event of illness, for triggering self-healing processes. If regularly cleansed of toxins in the bloodstream, homing pigeons can perform at their maximum competitive potential.

Good Digestion = Excellent Race Condition

Another cornerstone of excellent immune system and physical fitness is the proper functioning of the digestive system, which ensures optimal absorption of water and nutrients, the elimination of pathogens from the intestinal tract and the prevention of their colonisation. The stress and fatigue caused by racing can temporarily weaken the immune system of homing pigeons, allowing pathogens that may have been ingested in drinking water or feed to colonise the pigeons' digestive tract, causing diarrhoea.

As with digestive complaints, prevention is better than cure! Diarrhoea that have already developed can significantly weaken the pigeon's body by causing a large proportion of the nutrients and water it consumes to be lost and not utilised, leaving the pigeon physically weaker and more vulnerable to pathogens. In addition, the sick pigeon often refuses feed, which also leads to further weight loss.

Diarrhoea often develops after a strenuous race, when a bird that has expended considerable energy on the journey home needs to replenish vital nutrients as soon as possible. It is therefore very important to support its digestive tract with natural (herbal) substances that protect the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract, promote nutrient absorption, and bind and eliminate pathogens that have entered the intestinal tract, before and during the days following the competition.

Certain herbs and minerals (such as kaolin, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Aegle marmelos, Punica granatum, or Berberis aristata) have been shown to be very effective in preventing diarrhoeal symptoms and restoring normal digestive function. DIAROAK herbal preparation (containing kaolin and herbal extracts) has been found to be effective in stopping diarrhoea, restoring normal digestive function, minimising water and nutrient loss in homing pigeons.

Stress Reduction: One of the Secrets of Effective Racing

The immune system can be weakened not only by the harmful substances and pathogens that enter the body through food or water, but also by the intense physical and nervous stress of the race itself, the increased stress of the homing pigeon. The separation from the nest, the transport and then the long flight, and other stress factors (high temperatures, storms, attacks by birds of prey) during the journey deplete the birds' energy reserves and make them more susceptible to various infectious diseases.

Overcoming the negative effects of stress is essential if we want our pigeons to return in good condition and succeed. Herbal extracts can also play an important role in stress relief. STRESROAK herbal and mineral oral liquid should be given to pigeons for 2-3 days before the race. STRESROAK replenishes the pigeon's body with minerals, amino acids and herbal ingredients that make the birds more resistant to stress and help the pigeon to perform at its best.

Careful preparation, maximum attention, and the pigeon breeder’s individual methods and practices can ensure the success of old and new generations. We wish you a successful racing season!