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Stalosan F is one of the best-kept secrets from the pigeon fancier. I first started working with it in the intensive poultry world and quickly realised it also had an application for my pigeons. It is a unique powder disinfectant that is ideal for use as a loft powder being able to dry up damp patches, reduce smells and kill infectious organisms. Laboratory studies have shown that it will kill paramyxovirus, E.coli, salmonella, coccidia and worm eggs.
In this article I would like to review the background to disease problems and detail the trial work that has been completed with Stalosan F.

The Problem - sudden rapid build ups of infection

Young birds and old birds are more susceptible to infections. The mixed age groups that is the normal way for keeping the racing pigeon ensures that infection is present at low and inapparent levels throughout the year.

However, at specific times of the year this may change, most notably in the spring. The dampness, warmer days and the stress of breeding and rearing youngsters can be associated with a rapid build up of infection that results in disease.

The most familiar will be the respiratory (the "snots"), intestinal (coccidiosis) and mortality ("young bird sickness") problems that beset the youngster.

Survival of infection

The ability of infectious organisms to survive and develop in the environment varies with the particular organism.

The majority (viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma and Chlamydia) merely survive in droppings and respiratory exudates until they enter another susceptible pigeon.

Coccidial oocysts and worm eggs must undergo further development before they are able to successfully infect another bird.

The huge numbers of infectious organisms that may be present in one dropping - in excess of 20,000 coccidial oocysts to 100's of millions of bacteria and viruses, is the reason for their success.

1.

Through the air - mycoplasma

2.

Through the water - E.coli

3.

Through the droppings - coccidia, worms.

4.

Through crop feeding - canker

5.

Through fighting - pigeon pox

6.

Through handling

If you can find a way to reduce that cross-infection then you have a good chance of preventing disease problems. Stalosan's safety factor allows the fancier to achieve that control.

Why does disease occur

Disease is the outward sign associated with uncontrolled infection. Your birds may become infected and affected without showing signs of disease. There are many factors involved that determine whether or not disease occurs. Some of these are listed below:-

1.

How infectious is the organism i.e. does it take one or many thousands of organisms to initiate disease.

2.

The level of environmental contamination.

3.

The humidity and temperature in the loft.

4.

The number of birds in each section.

The impact of disease

Disease can have varying effects from the annoying to the disastrous. Breeding performance can suffer, viability and growth of the young can be affected, feed and water intake is often reduced and performance, almost inevitably, will suffer. It goes without saying that there is also a cost implication to disease either in the form of replacement costs, treatment costs or additional rearing costs.

How Stalosan F works

Stalosan works as a disinfectant, killing many types of virus including parmyxoviruses, bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella spp., mycoplasmas, coccidia and worm eggs. It also acts as a powerful drying agent and works to reduce the levels of ammonia and sulphur gases in the loft. All the key areas in loft management. We have trialled the product in our own lofts for nearly a year ( my partner Fred will not be without it now). Over this period I have regularly tested the dropping and the loft area for bacterial levels , coccidial oocysts and carried out regular worm egg counts. There is no doubt that regular use of Stalosan has maintained uniformly low levels ( less than 1000 oocysts/g faeces and no worm eggs ). As a result we have had fewer problems and had to spend less on medication. Our lofts are drier and smell much better and my colleague Fred is on the blower if we look like running out.



The benefits of using Stalosan F

1.

Dries up damp patches on the floor from watery droppings and spilt water

2.

Leaves a covering of powder over all the surfaces that the pigeons walk and perch on.

3.

Helps keep the atmosphere smelling fresher.

4.

Persists for several days to a week after it has been used regularly.

5.

Keeps the pigeons feet drier and cleaner.

6.

Reduces the challenge from infectious organisms particularly coccidia and worms.

7.

Reduces the reliance on medication to control coccidial and worm infections (our birds have not been treated for over a year) .

8.

Can be used with the birds in the loft.

9.

No adverse affects on the birds have been noticed in our loft after regular weekly usage for over a year.

10.

No respiratory signs seen as a result of sprinkling Stalosan F in the loft.

11.

No adverse affects on the plumage.

The birds can still be fed on the floor without problems.

How to use Stalosan F

Measure the length and breadth of each loft section.

Use Stalosan F at a rate of 50 grammes (or one and three quarter ounces) per square metre (or ten and three quarter square feet) of floor space.

Apply by sprinkling the appropriate amount over the floor and perching area of each section. An applicator is supplied with each bag.

Start up - Give two applications of Stalosan F. Routine - Stalosan F should be applied once or twice a week to the floor and perching areas.

You will see that Stalosan F is a fine pink powder that sticks to the surfaces to which it is applied. Over time it will give a fine pink covering to the surface. The beating of the pigeon's wings will blow some of the powder to the walls and corners. This can simply be swept back over the floor as and when necessary.


Adjust the application to suit your particular circumstances, do not be afraid to double the application if you have particular problems. The cost of applying Stalosan F, for disease prevention, is very modest when compared to the cost of disease and the cost of disease treatment. In our loft we reckoned it cost us just over 0.5p per bird per week.

Stalosan F has no chemicals in it, it is quite safe for you and the pigeons and extensive testing has shown that it has no negative effects on the environment. I recommend that all fanciers consider the benefits that disease prevention can bring and take a look at Stalosan F.


David Parsons. MRCVS Poultry Health Centre. Wincanton.
www.poultryhealthcentre.com

APPLICATIONS FOR PIGEONS

Stalosan Loft Powder trial - conducted by DG. Parsons. Poultry Health Centre . Wincanton. Somerset.

Trial carried out, with pigeons, to evaluate the value and efficacy of regular use of Stalosan loft powder applied to floors, perches and sputniks over an extended timescale.

Observations to me made on:

Floor dryness and perch dryness.
Atmospheric conditions.
Bird cleanliness and behaviour.
Application.
Disease symptoms.
Analytical review of coliforms, oocysts and worm eggs.

Stalosan loft powder was spread by hand at the rate of 50g per m² twice a week to the floors and perches.
Bird evaluations were done on a daily basis during routine contact.
Samples were taken every two weeks for a three-month period and every month thereafter.

Conclusions

Discussion

My experience of numerous faecal samples is that common levels of coccidial counts are 5000 to 20,000 per gm and that worm eggs , particularly Hair worm eggs, are the next most common occurrence. A safe , easy to use product which exhibits control over some of these key pathogens as well as providing excellent effects in key welfare areas, like dampness and ammonia levels, would be of positive benefit to the pigeon world.

In my discussions with a number of people at the Blackpool event there was a lot of interest. It may be that consideration should be given to its application in other cage bird situations.


D.G. Parsons.