What if we all quit Poxing our birds?

[Happy]

It has been my belief for so many yrs. that if we Racers etc. just "quit Poxing" our birds it would go away. I think this just keeps re-infecting our birds that haven't been poxed. We had quite a few yrs. (8) in a club that none of us poxed, .... 2 of us members on the 8th yr. in OB's got Pox after the 6th race (a 350mi.) & had to shut down. We found out that there were some early breeders of YB's that were putting there Pox Vac. birds on the OB training truck!. So what I'm saying is that I think the Pigeon Pox is basically over, but we have to Pox to keep from getting it from our own Fellow flyers that don't know this! Remember that this is a LIVE Virus that is used in the Vac.!!..... Then there are the #$%&*+ ?><$#!~`flyers that use the La Sota Vac. that is another "Live Vac." supposable for PMV that in MY OPINION will keep us vac. for PMV the correct way with a killed Vac. till the selling of this La Sota vac. is STOPPED. I have even seen on the internet where some so called Pigeon Veternarian tells of the re-bound effect of the La Sota Vac. that makes our Racer's fly faster. Some SICK information out there!!!... A few of my opinions... Happy

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Happy,

I am sure in my other post where I mentioned where I poxed most, but not all my birds. That the birds which were not poxed, caught it from those that were given the vaccine. I have in the past used all the "Correct" vaccines that the medical community has, thinking I was being a good caretaker, by going through the expense and trouble to give my birds "The Best". Now I am rethinking this whole vaccine question.

I have read various articles concerning human medicine, where giving children all the various vaccines for mumps, measles, chicken pox etc, may actually be reducing their bodies natural immune defense system. Seems I recall one medical proffesional who offered the thought that these vaccines were designed to offer the parents the convenience, of not having to put up with some of the various childhood ailiments.

Now, if such questions are being raised concerning human vaccines, it seems quite natural that perhaps I should question the value and wisdom of using such material on my own young birds. I was able to discern no harm coming to the birds that came down with the pox. In fact I even allowed them to stay in my general population. I think it is quite possible that these birds which came down with pox, might auctully pass on some sort of immunity to their young.

The typical response from many I know is to break out the "big guns" and treat the whole loft with massive doseages of various 4 in 1 and 5 in 1 antibotics, even for virus infections ! To suggest to them, that they may be causing more harm then good, not to mention, nothing for a virus, falls on deaf ears. This is a prime example, as to why Rx's are, and should be required.

The response I always get, is you have to do it to be "Competitive." Same logic goes for those little bottles of,..er..."Special" eyedrops available on the "Black Market"

Would I be a "Bad" person for exposing my YBs to normal childhood illness, like pox, early in the season ? Perhaps vaccinate just a few with the live virus ? To a limited degree, I have exposed them to various bacteria with no ill effects or sickness. Unlike some fanciers who disinfect water containers and such, I have not done that in years. I find it interesting that while they vigerously clean their lofts and disinfect water containers etc. They are then contantly giving various drugs to fight various sickness. And the cycle goes on and on. I have only had one sick bird in two years, and have now stopped all antibotics, could I be on to something here ? Some have suggested that I have just been lucky.