The condition and cleanliness of your racing pigeon loft is much more vital to your pigeons than the condition and cleanliness of your house is to you. Racing pigeons are susceptible to several illness and diseases that could be contracted as a consequence of a dirty or wet loft. A lot of these illnesses are potentially deadly and even the ones that are not will have an effect on the well being and speed of your birds. Worse, there's a condition you may contract in a dirty loft that could in fact kill you.
First, let's take a look at the way to protect your birds. Pigeons rest far better in a clean loft with thoroughly clean perches as well as a clean floor. The floor needs to be perfectly flat and smooth so waste can be easily scraped and removed. Perches ought to also be smooth and easily scraped. Sand on the floor is simple to thoroughly clean, but birds will eat it and often over-gorge on it. This will bring about "gut ache" and cause your birds to lose races. Pigeons like straw, but straw must be perfectly dry and clean with no dark spots that signify mold. Mold can get into the pigeons air sacs and inflict damage on them.
A wet floor can trigger coccidiosis in pigeons and will easily have an effect on even the healthiest pigeon. Only disinfect or clean up the loft with water on nice days and during times when the birds are out flying. Allow enough time for the floor to dry before permitting the birds to re-enter the loft.
Second, protect yourself. There exists a disease, a type of bronchopneumonia, called "bird fanciers lung." It's a serious allergic reaction caused by inhaling pigeon droppings, dust, bird protein and bits of bird feed. Unless bird fanciers lung is treated in a very timely manner, it can result in shortness of breath, feverish illness and fatal lung injury. The very best defenses against the illness are to maintain a scrupulously clean loft and to put on a mask when you work inside the loft. Keep in mind, what's good for your pigeons is good for you.
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