Part 7

(3) _Prevention._ Keep all stray pigeons out of loft and maintain sanitary conditions at all times.

_e._ ONE-EYE COLD (CONJUNCTIVITUS). (1) _Symptoms._ There is a watery discharge from the eye, and the surrounding membranes are frequently swollen.

(2) _Treatment._ Place bird in a warm room and treat eye daily with one drop of metaphin, or one drop of 15 percent argyrol.

(3) _Prevention._ Provide proper ventilation in the loft. Avoid dampness and drafts.

_f._ GOING LIGHT. This is not a disease in itself but a symptom or result of a disease. Any pigeon showing loss of flesh should be isolated and observed until the affecting disease is determined.

_g._ DIARRHEA. This is not usually a distinct disease, but the result of some other disease.

(1) _Symptoms._ Droppings are green and watery.

(2) _Treatment._ Sick birds should be isolated and observed to determine if they have some other disease. Feeding of rice will usually check the condition if it is caused by feed or drinking water.

(3) _Prevention._ Sanitary loft conditions, proper diet, and fresh drinking water will help prevent it.

_h._ SOUR CROP. Sour crop is caused by damp or mouldy grain, impure water or lack of grit.

(1) _Symptoms._ The pigeon will sit with feathers ruffled. A greenish diarrhea usually accompanies sour crop. On examination the crop is found to be hard and distended.

(2) _Treatment._ Hold the bird with head down and gently press on the crop until all feed has been removed. Flush out the crop with a solution of 4 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda to a quart of warm water. Feed a light mixture, consisting mostly of rice, millet, kaffir corn, and other small seeds. Repeat the cleaning and flushing of the crop daily, if necessary, until this condition clears.

(3) _Prevention._ Sanitary loft conditions, proper diet, and fresh drinking water will help prevent it.

53. External Parasites

Many insects and related species live off other animals. Some of these parasites, like lice, live on the host but feed only upon bits of its feathers and tiny scales and excretions of the skin. Others are more vicious and suck blood from the animal. Diseases are often spread from bird to bird through the life habits of these parasites.

_a._ LICE. Lice are undoubtedly the most common of these external parasites.

(1) _Different species._ There are at least six different species of lice that attack pigeons in this country. The three most common are—

(_a_) _Feather louse._ This is the long, slender species that lives on the barbs and shaft of the feather over nearly any part of the bird’s body.

(_b_) _Golden feather louse._ This louse is a little shorter and much broader and lives on the feathers, particularly on the bird’s body.

(_c_) _Body louse._ This is the largest of the pigeon lice. It lives on the skin rather than on the feathers. It is thought that these lice, by biting the very young pin feathers when they are filled with blood, cause the small pinhole perforations often seen in pigeon feathers.

(2) _Habits_ (fig. 41). In order to combat lice properly and intelligently, it is necessary to know something about where and how they feed, live, and breed.

(_a_) Adult lice live on the skin and feathers of the bird and only rarely leave the pigeon. When accidentally dislodged, they crawl very short distances to other birds. Lice cannot live longer than a few days away from the birds.

(_b_) Lice eat bits of feathers, scales, and other debris off the skin. They do not suck blood.

(_c_) Female lice lay eggs (nits) along the shafts of the feathers, particularly on the primary coverts.

(_d_) Louse eggs hatch in 10 to 14 days.

(_e_) Young lice eat, molt (3 to 5 times), and grow to maturity in about 14 days.

(3) _Diagnosis._ Infested pigeons are restless and constantly pick and scratch in an effort to dislodge the lice. Heavily infested birds may become weak and thin because the constant annoying movement of lice interferes with their proper relaxation and rest. Careful examination of the birds will reveal the lice.

(4) _Treatment._ The use of sodium fluoride is a good standard method for ridding pigeons of lice. It can be applied in two ways:

(_a_) _Dip method_ is very efficient, but can be used only in warm weather. Birds should be dipped on a warm, sunny day early enough so they will dry before night. Each bird is immersed into the solution up to the head, and the feathers ruffled to allow penetration of the solution. Then the mouth and nostrils are held shut and the head immersed. The dip is made of 1 gallon warm water, and 1 ounce sodium fluoride.

(_b_) _Dust method_ may be used at any time. The birds are held while a few pinches of powdered sodium fluoride are dusted into the feathers over various parts of the body. Sodium fluoride poisons lice when they eat it. Efficiency in delousing birds depends on thoroughness of wetting or dusting.

(5) _Repeat treatment._ Neither method above will kill nits nor prevent them from hatching; therefore, the delousing must be repeated in 10 to 14 days in order to kill newly hatched lice.

(6) _Prevention._ Normally, only pigeons carry pigeon lice. For this reason, the spread of lice to or from other kinds of birds is of no concern. However, common pigeons and stragglers are prolific sources of spread. Contact in crates is also a common source of infestation. Lice are often brushed from infested birds onto the hands and clothing of pigeoneers who later carry them to clean birds handled later.

_b._ RED MITES. Red mites are a common parasite of the pigeon.

(1) _Habits_ (fig. 42). It is important to note the difference between the habits of lice and mites.

(_a_) Mites live in, on, and under the nest bowls, nest boxes, and any available crack or crevice.

(_b_) Mites go onto the birds only long enough to feed—usually about 1/2 hour.

(_c_) Red mites suck blood from the pigeons. It is the engorged blood that makes the mite red.

(_d_) Mite eggs are deposited in the cracks and crevices or debris around the nest box where they live.

(_e_) Eggs hatch in 2 or more days, according to weather conditions.

(_f_) Newly-hatched mites mature in about 5 days.

(2) _Diagnosis._ Pigeon’s loss of condition is the most evident indication of mite infestation. Actual loss of blood is probably less harmful to the bird than annoyance caused by crawling and biting of mites.

(3) _Treatment._ Most good disinfectants supplied to lofts will kill mites satisfactorily if worked well into all cracks and crevices. Oily disinfectants are inexpensive and very effective, but leave the loft rather unsightly. Whitewash kills only by covering up and is ineffective if any areas are missed. For this reason, some of the more refined cresols are used. Four percent saponified cresol in warm water is quite effective.

(4) _Repeat._ Since the cresol does not kill the eggs, it is necessary to repeat treatment in 5 to 7 days.

(5) _Prevention._ Mites that attack pigeons are apparently the same as found on other birds, including domestic poultry. Therefore, wild birds, straggling pigeons, and neighborhood poultry are possible sources of infection. Light, dry, airy lofts do not favor breeding of mites.

_c._ Pigeon flies which are particularly troublesome in warm climates are true flies with short, flat, wide bodies and long wings.

(1) _Life cycle_ (fig. 46). (_a_) Pigeon flies live among body feathers.

(_b_) They leave the birds only to deposit larvae, or when disturbed.

(_c_) Adult flies suck blood from the birds.

(_d_) Female flies deposit living larvae in or around the nest bowl, nest box, or around the loft.

(_e_) Newly deposited larvae are white and about the size of a small buck shot. Within a few hours, a hard shell forms around them and they turn from white to brown and then to jet black.

(_f_) Young flies emerge from these shells in about 30 days and are ready for their first meal of blood.

(2) _Diagnosis._ Pigeon flies can easily be observed crawling among the bird’s feathers. Their movement as well as biting greatly annoys the birds. However, the greatest damage they do is transmitting pigeon malaria.

(3) _Treatment._ A very effective and easily applied method of treatment is to dust the birds lightly with pyrethrum powder. Sweep nest boxes and loft carefully to collect pupae so that they can be destroyed. Pigeon flies will not travel far from the birds; therefore, keep stragglers out of loft and carefully inspect newly-introduced birds to avoid admitting flies.

_d._ MOSQUITOES. Mosquitoes are a very common but usually underestimated pest. Besides molesting the birds by biting and sucking blood, they may transmit pox. These troublesome insects breed in standing water, such as swampy areas, old tin cans, and rain barrels. Control consists of draining or oiling breeding places and using screens on loft openings.

_e._ Other parasites attacking pigeons are fleas, chiggers, ticks, bed bugs, depluming mites, feather mites, air sac mites, subcutaneous mites, sand flies, and beetle larvae. Fortunately, these are rare.

54. Internal Parasites

These are the worms that live inside pigeons. Round worms are by far the most numerous. Tape worms are occasionally found in pigeons, but seldom present a serious problem.

_a._ Ascarids, or common large round worms are the largest and most prevalent of the round worms. Adult worms are from 1 to 2 inches long.

(1) _Habits._ Knowledge of the life cycle of a round worm is of great importance for successful control of this troublesome parasite. This worm has a “direct” life cycle (fig. 47) (completing it in one species).

(_a_) Mature worms live in the upper part of the small intestines and feed by absorbing food from the intestinal contents through their own body walls.

(_b_) Eggs (ova) are deposited by female worms in the intestinal contents of the pigeon, and later pass out in the pigeon droppings. It has been estimated that female worms lay as many as 12,000 eggs a day. Feces from parasitized birds often contain countless numbers of ova.

(_c_) Freshly deposited worm eggs are much like freshly laid pigeon eggs, in that they must be incubated before they are ready to hatch. They need to remain in warm, moist litter or soil for 10 to 16 days before the worm larvae can develop. Severe freezing, excessively hot soil, and direct sunlight will destroy the eggs.

(_d_) When birds eat the incubated eggs, the worms hatch out in their intestines.

(_e_) The tiny larvae then “sew” themselves into the lining of the intestines and begin to grow.

(_f_) After a few days, the larvae crawl back into the intestinal canal where they mature in 30 to 40 days.

(2) _Diagnosis._ Ascarids injure birds in several ways.

(_a_) When the newly hatched worm “sews” itself into the intestinal lining the area around the puncture becomes inflamed because of mechanical injury, loss of blood, and introduced infection. This localized inflammation renders that part of the intestinal lining useless for digesting and absorbing food.

(_b_) The worm absorbs food from the intestinal contents which should go to the birds.

(_c_) In order to protect themselves and avoid being digested, the worms give off a substance that neutralizes digestive juices. This substance becomes mixed with intestinal contents and prevents proper digestion.

(_d_) Worms sometimes become so numerous that they actually clog the intestines. As many as 500 worms have been found in a single bird.

(_e_) Worm-infested birds show loss of condition and general unhealthiness. Diagnosis is made by finding worms or worm eggs in droppings or by autopsy on typical specimens.

(3) _Treatment._ The following drugs are only effective against mature worms and, at best, are only 80 percent efficient:

1-CC Oil of turpentine per bird. 1/2-CC Tetrachlorethylene per bird. 1/2-CC Carbon tetrachloride per bird.

(4) _Prevention._ This is relatively simple and practically 100 percent effective.

(_a_) Clean loft daily and provide fresh water.

(_b_) If aviary does not have a wire bottom spread clean sand about 1 or 2 inches deep over its floor once every two weeks.

(_c_) Replace moisture and shade by sunshine and dry conditions.

_b._ Strongyles are the most dangerous of the common round worms and one of the most common causes of death among poorly kept pigeons. The “strongyle” is a very small parasite which multiplies rapidly and is a vicious blood sucker. Adult worms are from 1/2 to 3/4 inches long and about the same size as thin thread.

(1) _Habits._ This worm has a “direct” cycle; that gives the key to successful control (fig. 45).

(_a_) Adult strongyles live in the upper intestinal contents, but may be found as far up as the crop.

(_b_) Strongyles are ravenous blood suckers.

(_c_) Female worms deposit eggs in the intestinal contents which later pass out in the feces.

(_d_) Eggs incubate in about 1 day, if conditions are favorable.

(_e_) Young larvae hatch out and molt about 8 hours later. These larvae again molt in about 3 days and are then infective. Thus, about 5 days elapse from the time the eggs are voided by the bird and the time the young larval worms hatch, molt, and become infective.

(_f_) The infective larvae are eaten by the pigeons. Then they pass to the intestines where they mature.

(2) _Diagnosis._ (_a_) Strongyles injure the birds by lacerating the intestine and sucking blood. After the parasite moves on, the laceration still bleeds considerably before a blood clot forms. Each laceration results in an area of infection and inflammation.

(_b_) Constant movement of the worms over the inflamed intestine adds to the irritation.

(_c_) Severe, and sometimes rapid, loss of condition and accompanying anemia are usual symptoms. Diagnosis is confirmed by finding strongyles in the intestine upon autopsy of typical specimens.

(3) _Treatment._ Treatment is not satisfactory. One-half CC doses of tetrachlorethylene may be tried.

(4) _Prevention._ The same methods prescribed for ascarids apply to strongyles.

_c._ Other round worms attacking pigeons are numerous, but only capillary worms will be discussed here. These are very thin, hair-like worms sometimes found in the digestive tract of pigeons from the crop down through the intestine. Their life cycle is direct. No satisfactory drug has been found to rid pigeons of this worm. Fortunately, their life cycle is similar to that of ascarids, and the same preventive measures are effective.

_d._ Tape worms, which are occasionally seen in pigeons, acquire a length of 6 to 8 inches.

(1) _Life cycle._ Tape worms have what is called an indirect life cycle, that is they must pass through at least two different species to complete it (fig. 46).

(_a_) Adult tape worms are found in the small intestine. Their bodies are made up of a head and segments. The head is essentially an anchor that fastens the worm to the intestine of the bird. The body segments form at the head and mature as they grow further from the head.

(_b_) Each segment contains both male and female sex organs and, as it matures, becomes virtually a packet of tape worm eggs.

(_c_) Segments break off and pass out in the feces.

(_d_) The tape worm’s eggs are then eaten by a snail, slug, beetle, or other insect which becomes the “intermediate host.” Here the tape worm undergoes a certain amount of development.

(_e_) If the intermediate host is eaten by a pigeon, the young tape worm attaches itself to the bird’s intestine and soon grows to maturity.

(2) _Diagnosis._ Tape worms harm the host by injuring the intestine at the point where they bury their heads, by absorbing food, and by giving off antenzymes.

(3) _Treatment._ Unsatisfactory.

(4) _Prevention._ (_a_) Pigeons must be well-cared-for and fed so that they will not care to eat the intermediate hosts.

(_b_) The method of prevention prescribed for ascarids is also applicable for tape worms.

55. Treatment of Injuries

_a._ CUTS AND WOUNDS. Pigeons have marvelous powers of healing their own tissues, perhaps because of their high body temperature and rapid rate of body processes. The following are aids to healing.

(1) Clean solid or contaminated wounds with boric acid solution or some very mild antiseptic. Strong disinfectants burn the exposed tissues and delay wound healing.

(2) Stitch or suture large tears in the skin to make them relatively smaller. Avoid placing suture in such a way that a pocket is formed for this often results in an abscess formation. Use white silk or cotton thread.

(3) Remove excessively rough edges or hanging flaps of skin with sharp scissors.

_b._ FRACTURES. (1) Broken bones in the extremities of the legs usually respond readily to treatment; those involving the large bones present a more complicated problem.

(2) The type of fracture governs the seriousness of the injury.

(_a_) _Simple_ fractures are those in which there is no break in the skin in the region of the fracture.

(_b_) _Compound_ fractures are those in which there is a break in the skin over the bone injury.

(_c_) _Partial_ fractures are those in which the bone is cracked but not completely separated.

(_d_) _Complete_ fractures are those in which there is actual separation of the parts of bone.

(_e_) _Comminuted_ fractures are those in which the bone is splintered or fragmented.

(3) Treatment of fractures is quite simple: bring broken parts into contact and immobilize them to avoid movement which might injure delicate healing tissues.

(_a_) Since bones heal in whatever position they are placed, it is necessary to splint the limb in as nearly normal a position as possible.

(_b_) Take care that the splint does not interfere with healing.

_1._ Do not bandage splint too tightly. The bandage must be snug to avoid movement of the parts, however, if it is too tight, the blood supply will be cut off and the limb will die. Splints applied before the injured limb has swollen must be closely observed for several hours, or until the swelling has reached its maximum so that circulation is not impeded.

_2._ Pad limb with cotton or gauze to protect it from the hard surfaces of the splint.

_3._ Dust powdered boric acid on the region of the fracture, particularly if the fracture is compound.

(_c_) Splints may be easily and satisfactorily fashioned from pieces of pliable tin. Cut and bend to fit contour of limb in normal resting position (fig. 47). Splints for fractures in the shank should extend down along the shank on one side, then bend to form a loop down around the foot and back up the opposite side of the limb. In a short time the bird learns that it can step on the limb without pain because the weight falls on the loop of the splint rather than on the foot.

(_d_) Splints should be left in place for 3 weeks before removing. Healing, if successful, will be sufficient to permit removal of splint at this time.

_c._ TORN CROPS. These may be successfully sutured if the edges are turned in so that the outside surfaces, not the lining, of the crop come in contact. The skin may then be sutured to help support the crop.

56. Medicines

The following items of medical supplies and equipment, in the quantities listed in existing instructions, should meet normal requirements.

33775 Needle, eye, size 4, 3/8-circle, 6-in. 36624 Cotton thread, No. 80, 150 yds. 77110 Basin, hand. 77410 Capsule, size 00, gelatin, 100. 77600 Cork, No. 2, 1/2 × 3/8 in., 100. 77950 Dropper, medicine. 78090 Graduate, 10-CC, glass. 79460 Vial, 1-oz., with screw cap. 91110 Iodine, 15 GR, and Potassium; iodide, 22.5-GR, USP, 10 tubes.

☆ U. S. Government Printing Office: 1945—621966