How to Scientifically Supplement Vitamins in Racing Pigeon Breeding
Vitamins are essential nutrients for racing pigeons to maintain life and normal physiological functions. A deficiency in any one vitamin can cause certain metabolic disorders and disturbances, affecting the growth and health of racing pigeons. Breeding pigeons and young pigeons have stricter requirements for vitamins. Racing pigeons that are unwilling to fly at home do so because of a deficiency in certain vitamins. Therefore, adjustments and supplementation should be made at any time according to the different ages and different seasons of racing pigeons, to meet the needs of racing pigeons at different stages.
1. From the start of feeding to 2 months of age, young pigeons are timid and have weak disease resistance. Any tiny change can trigger a stress response, and they are also susceptible to invasion and infection by various harmful microorganisms from the outside. Therefore, during this period, double the amount of vitamins can be provided. (1) It can enhance the body functions of young pigeons and reduce the damage caused by stress responses. (2) It enhances the body's resistance to harmful microorganisms and promotes the health of young pigeons. Pigeon fanciers all believe that Vc can be synthesized in the pigeon's body, so it is easy to overlook the addition of Vc. Since Vc has anti-allergic and detoxifying functions and can improve the body's immunity, adding Vc during the young pigeon period is extremely beneficial to young pigeons.
2. Most B-complex vitamins are components of the enzyme system in the body, so even a short-term deficiency or insufficiency will affect the activity of enzymes in the body. These enzymes all play very important roles in the body's metabolism. Therefore, whether the body's demand for B-complex vitamins can be met will affect the metabolism of racing pigeons. Young pigeons grow fastest from 1 day of age to 30 days of age; vigorous metabolism requires large amounts of enzymes. Therefore, the requirement for B-complex vitamins, which are important components of enzymes, also increases at the same time, such as adding vitamins according to the recommended standard amount. This easily causes B-complex vitamin deficiency, affecting enzyme management. At times, this affects the completely different metabolism of young pigeons. Therefore, in addition to adding vitamins according to the standard amount, some B-complex vitamins should also be supplemented extra according to actual conditions.
3. Vitamin E plays an important role in the synthesis of anterior pituitary gonadotropins. When Ve is deficient, it inevitably affects the synthesis of gonadotropins, thereby reducing the reproductive function of racing pigeons. Vitamin A has the function of maintaining the integrity of epithelial tissue and promoting the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides in connective tissue. When Va is deficient, the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides is blocked, and epithelial cells of tissues such as the reproductive system undergo squamous keratinization. Vitamin D has the effect of maintaining blood calcium and blood phosphorus levels. Vd deficiency will cause the eggs laid by breeding pigeons to become thin-shelled or shell-less. In addition, the latest research shows that Vk is not only a component of thrombin but also participates in the formation of pigeon embryos, participates in membrane structure and the metabolism of high-energy compounds, and plays an antioxidant role, thereby improving the survival rate of newly hatched young pigeons. Therefore, Vk3 should also be supplemented in breeding pigeon feed.
4. In summer, the climate is hot. To alleviate the heat stress of racing pigeons, sufficient Vc and Ve should be supplemented in the feed. A large amount of evidence shows that supplementing Vc can minimize the growth inhibition of racing pigeons caused by heat stress.
5. When diseases occur in the pigeon flock, adding vitamins as auxiliary treatment plays a very important role, especially adding Va, Vc, and Vk. Studies have shown that Vk and Vc can enhance the body's immune function, improve the tolerance of the racing pigeon body to various stresses, and promote recovery after illness and growth and development. Vk can shorten clotting time and reduce blood loss, so it can reduce symptoms and reduce death in some diseases with bleeding symptoms. For example, when racing pigeons suffer from coccidiosis, due to intestinal damage and poor absorption, feeding high doses of vitamins at this time can not only meet the vitamin needs of sick pigeons but also increase the appetite of racing pigeons, speeding up the body's recovery.
6. Long-term use of antibacterial drugs, especially sulfonamides, will inhibit the body's synthesis of Vb1, Vk, and folic acid, causing deficiency of Vb1, Vk, and folic acid in the body, and should be supplemented appropriately.
7. For pigeon flocks undergoing training releases and immunization, double the amount of vitamins should be added to the feed, or electrolytic multivitamin quick supplement, etc. should be added to drinking water, which can reduce stress responses caused by reasons such as transferring lofts and immunization, and enhance the body's stress resistance.
8. When the protein level in the diet is too low, doubling the addition of Va and Ve can reduce the adverse effects caused by too-low protein. When the energy level is low, if 20%-40% more Vb1, Vb2 and 10%-20% Vb2, Ve, and choline are added to the feed, the production level of chickens will not be affected. If selenium is deficient in the diet, the amount of Ve added should be increased.