Article Published: 19 March 2009
By Rassie Erasmus

When the Rain Just Won't Stop

Every once in a while the sun decides to take a vacation for a few days. Recently we had one of those stretches of weather when we could not see the old boy for the better part of a week. It was just one rainy day after another. Everyone and everything around here was soaked. I ran into our headquarters one morning at the same time as one of my co-workers, we were both trying to avoid getting drenched. He made some comment about the relentless rain and I was looking at a bigger picture, remembering last summer's fierce drought I said, this is going to be good for us later on.

You may be going through one of those seasons in your life when the rain never seems to stop. It's been stress, bad news, struggle, maybe disappointment, grief
or confusion. We all have our turn facing those seasons when we keep waking up to another rainy day. Are you going to enjoy one rainy day after another? Not necessarily, just take note of the following when you treat your birds.

Add in the drinking water.

When the whole flock needs treatment it is advisable to give the drugs or vitamins in the drinking water. The birds should be prevented from drinking outside the loft. Make sure that your medicine/vitamins be stored well sealed since it absorbs moisture and lose it’s efficiency.

Add on the feed.

Unfortunately the access of air to the feed destroys most active substances, particularly vitamins.

Treatment in the drinking water will give the best results as water acts as a seal and prevents air ingress. Here it should be noted that the drugs/vitamins are stable in the drinking water only for a limited period and must therefore be freshly prepared once a day.

Oral treatment.

This is an effective method when treating for Canker Cankercure tabs, Worms (Mediworm), Tac (Tric a cock) etc. Just make sure that it slides down smoothly to avoid vomiting.

Moulting tip: The administration of Chevita chlor ( Chlortetracycline ) one day a week facilitates moulting and shortens it considerably. It will give the pigeons a healthy strong plumage with a beautiful lustre. I give it on Mondays.

So you can say, no matter how many days it's been raining, This is going to be good for your pigeons later on.

Regards

Rassie Erasmus