Pigeon Racing – How Your Pigeon Loft Can Kill You

The condition and cleanliness of your racing pigeon loft is even more crucial to your racers than the cleanliness and condition of your house is to you. Racing pigeons are susceptible to many illness and diseases that could be contracted as a result of a wet or dirty loft. Many of these conditions are potentially fatal and even the ones that are not will have an impact on the well being and speed of your pigeons. Worse, there’s a condition you may contract in a dirty loft that could even kill you. First, let’s look at how to safeguard your birds. Pigeons rest much better within a clean loft with clean perches plus a clean floor. The floor should be completely flat and smooth so waste can be quickly scraped and discarded. Perches should also be smooth and easily scraped. Sand on the floor is easy to thoroughly clean, but pigeons will consume it and occasionally over-gorge on it. This may cause “gut ache” and cause your best pigeons to lose time. Pigeons like straw, but straw should be completely dry and clean with no dark spots that signify mildew. Mold can get into your pigeons air sacs and inflict damage on them. A moist floor can cause coccidiosis in birds and will speedily have an impact on even the strongest pigeon. Only disinfect or clean up the loft with water on balmy days and while the birds are out flying. Permit adequate time for the floor to dry before permitting the birds to return to the loft. Second, protect yourself. There’s a disorder, a form of bronchopneumonia, referred to as “bird fanciers lung.” It really is a critical allergic reaction induced by inhaling pigeon droppings, dust, bird protein and bits of bird feed. Unless bird fanciers lung is treated within a timely manner, it can lead to shortness of breath, feverish sickness and fatal lung damage. The best defenses against the sickness are to maintain a very clean loft and to wear a mask when working within the loft. Remember, what’s good for your birds is beneficial for you.