Occurrence of coccidia infection in pigeons in amateur husbandry. Diagnosis and prevention

Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. is a common parasitic disease posing a serious problem in pigeon keeping. The aim of the study was to determine the species composition, the degree of coccidia infection and the effect of the coccidiostat used in the course of the disease in two pigeon lofts located in the West Pomerania province. The material for the study came from 180 birds. A total of 330 faecal samples were investigated with two methods: Willis- Schlaaf’s (qualitative) and McMaster’s (quantitative). The pigeons were given the Baycox (Bayer) coccidiostat with toltrazuril as an active substance. The medicament was administered for two days at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight at three-day intervals. Three species of protozoa were isolated: Eimeria labbeana, E. columbarum, E. columbae, and the infections were mixed. The occurrence of E. labbeana was most commonly reported, which was shown, depending on the pigeon loft and the age of the birds, in 89–93% of young pigeons and in 63–55% of adults. The species E. columbarum and E. columbae were found less frequently. Baycox coccidiostat proved to be highly effective against coccidiosis in pigeons and may also be used in prophylaxis.