Remenber, Baytril and Saraflox are very good and broad spectrum antibiotics, but should not be used during reproduction. When incorporated into the egg, or when pumped into babies by the parents, this family of antibiotics and cause serious growth abnormalities, or gross developmental defects in embryos and young squabs.

When dealing with problems requiring antibiotics during reproduction, choose a different antibiotic to avoid these anomalies.

Remember, the antitrichomonas drugs such as Emtryl, Ridzol, or Flagyl, have and adverse effect on fertility in the cock. Documented reduction of the sperm count has been shown to be associated with the dosing of this family of drugs.

Emtryl can also cause central nervous symptoms such as seizueres when overdosed. In hot weather, the cocks frequently pump excess water into the squabs. If this water contains the drug the squabs can be overdose because of this.

Avoid using anti-trichomonas drugs after pairing and before the eggs are laid, and again when the breeders are feeding young. This phenomenon is uncommon but can occur under certain curcumstances, so it is wise to follow the above guidelines.

Remember, salt deficiency frequently occurs during reproduction, especially after the parents have fed more than one round of young. Symptoms associated with salt deficiency are watery droppings, wet nests, eating excessive grit, nibbling on unusual objects (salt deficiency can result in pica, an unusual or depraved appetite).

If you cannot taste any salt in the grit you are feeding, it may be salt deficient. This need for salt only becomes obvious when feeding young, as a rule. Adding salt to the grit (in moderation) may prevent this. Giving salt to salt-starved pigeons can be a problem too.

The birds crave it so much, they will overeat salt, and this can cause salt poisoning. Salt poisoning causes swelling in the brain and can result in death. Replace the salt gradually to prevent this.

A little salt (1/2 tsp./gal) can be given in the drinking water to help restore the normal needs. Do this only for a few days and only if the pigeons are salt deficient.

Remember that disease occurs more frequently in the breeders which have raised multiple rounds. Producing eggs, crop milk, and the stress of feeding babies, depletes the parents reserves and makes them more susceptible to disease, especially paratyphoid.

It helps to have "feeders" to foster the more valuable pigeons eggs/babies, to spare them this stress. If they need to feed out their own young, limit them to one or two nests if possible.

Dr. David E. Marx D.V.M.