Health Status and Stress in Different Categories of Racing Pigeons

The influence of different stress parameters in racing pigeon flocks, such as the presence of diseases and environmental conditions at the time of the races, were described. A total of 96 racing pigeons from 4 pigeon flocks were examined, and health monitoring was carried out. No helminth eggs and c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animals (Basel) 2021-09, Vol.11 (9), p.2686
Main Authors: Kastelic, Marjan, Pšeničnik, Igor, Gregurić Gračner, Gordana, Čebulj Kadunc, Nina, Lindtner Knific, Renata, Slavec, Brigita, Krapež, Uroš, Vergles Rataj, Aleksandra, Zorman Rojs, Olga, Pulko, Barbara, Rajšp, Maša, Mlakar Hrženjak, Nina, Dovč, Alenka
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Avian flu
Birds
Blood
Breeding seasons
Categories
Columba livia domestica
Corticosterone
Critical point
Environmental conditions
Environmental factors
Immune system
Infections
Infectious diseases
Influenza
Laboratories
Offspring
Parasites
Pathogens
Phylogeny
Pigeons
Predators
Public health
Races
Reptiles & amphibians
Seasons
serum corticosterone
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
Vaccination
Vaccines
Viruses
welfare
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Summary:The influence of different stress parameters in racing pigeon flocks, such as the presence of diseases and environmental conditions at the time of the races, were described. A total of 96 racing pigeons from 4 pigeon flocks were examined, and health monitoring was carried out. No helminth eggs and coccidia were found. Trichomonas sp. was confirmed in subclinical form. Paramyxoviruses and avian influenza viruses were not confirmed, but circovirus infections were confirmed in all flocks. Chlamydia psittaci was confirmed in one flock. Blood samples were collected, and HI antibody titers against paramyxoviruses before and 25 days after vaccination were determined. To improve the conditions during racing and the welfare of the pigeons, critical points were studied with regard to stress factors during the active training season. Serum corticosterone levels were measured in the blood serum of four different categories of pigeons from each flock. Corticosterone levels were almost twice as high in pigeons from the category that were active throughout the racing season, including medium- and long-distance racing, compared to the other three categories that were not racing actively. Within five hours of the finish of a race, the average serum corticosterone level was 59.4 nmol/L in the most physically active category. The average serum corticosterone level in this category remained at 37.5 nmol/L one month after the last race.
ISSN:2076-2615
2076-2615
DOI:10.3390/ani11092686