How To Breed For Disease Resistance

[Lin Hansen]

Originally Posted by Pigeonpal2002

I tend to think that 99% of research conducted is the exact opposite, I would tend to believe that the drug companies for both human and animals alike are keeping REAL productive research in the closet. Unfortunately the big drug manufacturers aren't in the business to lose money by research that could actually HELP without drugs. Sad.

Yup, you are right, I am afraid. I guess I can be naive .....why would drug companies want to do research on a result that could ultimately reduce sales of remedies? It's true. I think I will still bring the subject up in class tonight though to see what the Prof. has to say. He is an MD and also teaches microbiology at the college, so he may have interesting info to offer. Will let everyone know.

Linda

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Linda,

Not to mention all the "experts" who sell this "stuff" from a dozen different web sites. This is where, if I am not careful, I will find myself shooting myself in the foot.

To read some of these sites, it is Impossible, to maintain a competitve loft without purchasing a dozens different powders, teas, tonics, etc. This song and dance gets repeated, and before you know it, it has now become Gospel !

After all, there is not much money to be made in the concept of good pigeons, good feed, fresh water, and a loft with lots of clean air. No Sir !

You need to buy a can of "Go Fast", which is crammed pack full of "Secret Stuff". If it is correctly and properly labled, then you can often find the same goods in a Tractor Supply or Horse supply place at a 75% discount.

[birdy]

Robert,

I'm very glad to hear that you're out of the hospital and on the mend. I bet your birds were happy to see you!

Bruce

[Lin Hansen]

Hi Everyone,

I was not able to get a chance to talk to my Biology prof. about the subject at hand due to time constraints....was disappointed that I would not be able to add any new information, so did an internet search on the subject. I came up with this article which I thought looked very informative. Not knowing anything about racing and/or breeding, I asked Warren to review it for me to see if it would be suitable for posting, which he kindly did. (Thanks, Warren ) I am sure the more experienced racers may have read all this information before, but I thought it might be helpful to people just getting into the sport. I would like to mention that "cullling" is brought up once or twice in the article, but it does not mean lethal culling...it is used in the sense that these birds are not to be used for breeding purposes.
Okay, hope everyone finds it helpful -- here it the link:

http://www.shewmaker.com/digest94.html

Linda

[re lee]

That site covers basic concept of selective breeding. Which would build a base of desired quility in the birds. It will not nessasary work towards a goal of desease resistance. As ther is several deseases that affect todays pigeons. The main one is pmv. The other deseases can be somewhat controled thru healthy birds. but pmv is a killer if not vacinated for. It can wipe out a whole loft or years worth of work in just a short time. It would be nice to have someone comeup with a one time vacine. As of now its a six month thing. But most will just vacine one time yearly.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

There has been, and always will be, differences of thinking, as to what can be achieved through the process of selective breeding. If you are selecting birds for breeding purposes that have resisted illness, then I see no reason why this quality, can not be transfered to following generations.

If someone has some scientific evidence, which indicates otherwise, then I would be happy to see it. The more research that I do, the more convinced I am, that part of the solution is a better selection process.

Anyone want to venture a guess, as to what breed of dog, has a very high resistance to various ailments which dogs in general fall victim to ? I will give you a hint, this breed is considered rare in the US.

[re lee]

Birds that are not overcrowded, Given good grain water Good fresh air A dry loft Will most often not get sick as easy as others. And perhaps you can breed towards resistive birds. It would be a long process. But wild birds I think are healthyer then alot of the loft birds. I think this relates to open air exchange. So they do not exchange sickness as easy. Would that dog be a wild type.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello Robert,

You would be correct. I was watching a TV show, where another breed of African dog was the subject. They went to a tribe to secure future breeding stock. The wilds of Africa, and natural selection, had created a very hearty breed of dog. I also found this site concerning another "Wild" dog of Africa.

http://www.sa-breeders.co.za/org/africanis/

I agree with you, that ideal management, will prevent most illness. I think you may also be correct, that "Wild" ferals, may in fact, be more resistant to illness, simply because of the fact, that they are not made artificially healthy by various drugs. Only those who manage to make it to adulthood without any "Help" will be able to raise young.

As far as the time it will take, you again may be correct. Until we attempt to breed for health and vitality, we may never know. The challenge is trying to figure out, if we are making progress. Perhaps my birds are no more resistant then any other, perhaps only my management and care, is keeping them super healthy ?

I would invite correspondence from anyone, who may be working on breeding vitality in their own lofts. Perhaps we could compare some notes ?

SmithFamilyLoft@aol.com

[re lee]

With different ideas for health. I have known of some people that would not let other people in there lofts. For better health control of there birds. Perhaps. The racing homers are some of the most exposed. As being hauled to the race They get almost crowded together. In the truck or trailer. They are rather healthy to with stand that . Plus. Some places have provided fresh air exchange thru the truck. to enhance healthy transporting. With the threat of a new bird flu I wonder if the medical people have looked at a vacine such as pmv was done for pigeons So I still think air exchange will enhance health. And no over meds as some people will medicate to often. And that weakens birds over time. Wher they can not build antibodys. Meds should be given when needed. And as say a treatment. But no more then that. Ive where one bird gets sick the whole flock is treated. Where just that bird should be pulled and treated.

[Motherlodelofts]

Robert I was thinking the same this as far as racers have to be tough birds anyway. I think where many can get into trouble is with the breeds where the good one's aren't bred with the stamina of plow horses. Birmingham Rollers are a good example of this as I would imagine the show type birds are. I think that above all they have to be just "good" pigeons. And then breed towards the traits that we are looking for and allways keeping an eye on vitality.

Scott

[re lee]

I would think in that line also. Scott. Show birds have become loft birds. And lofts some do not have good air exchange . And show birds are bred for show. So vitality Is not as noticed as they would be out of shape. because not getting exersise.