Paratyphoid

• A bacterial disease caused by a salmonella strain (Salmonella typhimurium variety Copenhagen)
  
• Generally carried between birds through shared food and water
  
• Outbreaks are common during the breeding season
  

• Cock birds may appear fine one day, be dead the next
  
• Hens show weight loss, sticky droppings, swollen wing joint at elbow
  
• Eggs turn black and appear rotten
  
• Hatchlings begin to hatch then die in shell
  
• Seven to ten day old youngsters show diarrhea, dehydration and death - often, of two in a nest, only one is affected
  
• Twisting of the neck may occur, but this is more common with PMV
  

• An antibiotic such as Baytril, which may be prescribed by a vet, is generally given   

Prevention:

• This bacteria likes alkaline substances, dislikes acid substances. Treat drinking water with (dose) cider vinegar
  
• Ensure rodents cannot gain access to the pigeon housing
  
• Strict hygeine

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