Vitamins and minerals It's been 50 years since I started studying veterinary medicine in Utrecht at the age of 17. On the one hand, it was found that vitamins play an important role in cell metabolism, but on the other hand, they were more laconically associated with the risk of deficiency symptoms. At that time it was believed that there were deficiency symptoms…

In FEBRUARY 2022 - by Dr. Peter Boskamp...…

Vitamins are particularly important for pigeons because they are involved in almost every metabolic process in the body. They strengthen the immune system, are involved in building muscles and bones and generally play a major role in fertility and growth. There are 13 different vitamins in total. Most of these vital substances…

A few years ago, in front of the Corona era, I attended a pigeon association to examine the pigeons of the members. In a conversation before, the chairman and a breeder told me that she fed the remnants of the young pigeons to the breeding pigeons. I was surprised that this was still happening. Young pigeons in…

Transporting pigeons The transport of pigeons to the deployment sites is a sensitive issue. Conversations about it often turn into arguments. The transport managers usually do their best to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. In this case, a comment or remark is quickly interpreted as a criticism. During my studies…

The Natural Approach Much has been written about this. From me too. Fortunately, there is also growing general understanding that it is better to follow the path of the “Full stuffing” to leave the pigeons with medication. Now we shouldn't throw the child out with the bathwater. Taking medication can, though…

Latent infections The start of the pigeon season The pigeon season often begins at different times in different countries. There are countries that start as early as March, but also countries that are waiting for the warmer season. The cold can be catastrophic for the pigeons. That…

In the last few weeks several breeders have visited our clinic who have expressed the wish to follow a natural program. I now also think that it is good to look at our natural system from the point of view of disease, health and performance care, as in my book “Keep pigeons healthy” described. The…

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pestkop) A pigeon fancier told me last week when he was having his pigeons examined that he thought I hated antibiotics very much. I had to smile. Smile because this image has apparently come about over the years because I've been promoting a more natural approach for many years…

Pigeon vaccines In the last few months pigeon magazines have published various articles about the vaccination of pigeons. I also made some comments on it. What strikes me, however, is that the opinions of the various pigeon doctors are quite far apart on various points. There are doctors who advocate live vaccines while…