{"id":2637,"date":"2022-11-30T11:35:33","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T11:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racingpigeonsport.com\/?p=2637"},"modified":"2022-12-24T08:56:49","modified_gmt":"2022-12-24T08:56:49","slug":"preventative-measures-for-better-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racingpigeonsport.com\/preventative-measures-for-better-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventative measures for better health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In and around the loft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A loft that is not well-maintained, infested with rodents, has lack of airflow, is too humid or that allows stray birds in and amongst your pigeons is a recipe for numerous health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, it is important that you take every precaution to ensure that the pigeons are living in an environment properly suited to promoting good health and well-being from a physical standpoint as well as a mental one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Things to keep in mind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Keep wild birds and rodents away from the loft and pigeons<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Quarantine newly acquired birds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Keep the loft dry and damp-free<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Sanitize feeders and drinkers regularly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Do not allow feed to come into contact with droppings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Baskets should be disinfected weekly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Overcrowding<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Overcrowding can be severely detrimental to a pigeon\u2019s health yet it is often overlooked as fanciers prioritise building larger and larger teams year on year without first considering the capacity of their available facilities, i.e. section, boxes and perches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only does overcrowding increase feather dust and can create excess moisture, but as they reach about 8 weeks old pigeons start to become territorial and compete with one another. Therefore, each pigeon needs space to call its own, be it a perch or box, otherwise there will be non-stop fighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another thing to keep in mind is that males are comparatively more competitive than hens, so it\u2019s advisable to keep fewer cocks than hens per cubic meter of loft space.Aside from negative affects on health, an overcrowded loft may suffer more \u2018flyaways\u2019 as well as a drop in fertility rates, almost as if the pigeons can sense a lack of available resources, be it space or air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oxygen levels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
To be in perfect health a pigeon requires \u201c660 litres of pure oxygen\u201d on a daily basis. [2]Having more pigeons than the loft has enough fresh air to support means that some birds will be deprived of the pure oxygen they require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n