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WaterControl, the step towards sustainable drinking trough hygiene for racing pigeons

Or: Why clean drinking water makes the difference between victory and defeat

The health, vitality and performance of Carrier pigeons depend on many factors, from high-quality feeding and optimal training to a careful breeding strategy. However, one aspect that is often underestimated is the Quality of the drinking water.

Clean water is the basis of all metabolic processes. However, dangers lurk in polluted water: Bacteria such as E. coli or salmonella as well as protozoa such as trichomonads are triggers of diseases or, in the best case, "only" cause loss of shape. This is exactly where BergerPIGEONS WaterControl an innovative product that is consistently Drinking water hygiene and thus to the Health of racing pigeons is aimed at.

HOCl: The natural answer to germs

WaterControl relies on Hypochlorous acid (HOCl)a substance that the body produces itself as a defence against pathogens. HOCl penetrates germs, destroys cell membranes and cell components and kills bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts directly, quickly, reliably and without residue, unlike acid products, which only inhibit growth. After use, nothing remains except water and salt.

In contrast to many other products, HOCl is not only highly effective, but at the same time Gentle on pigeons, material-friendly and neutral in flavour. This ensures that racing pigeons enjoy drinking water in sufficient quantities, a decisive advantage, especially in the hot season when hydration is essential for health and performance. WaterControl thus combines a Strong effect in drinking water hygiene with High acceptance by the animals. In comparison, acid preparations are based on organic acids: although they can reduce the infection pressure, pigeons are often reluctant to drink them. WaterControl offers the decisive difference: strong effect without compromise, for healthy and successful pigeons.

Ecalit process - The difference to competitor products

Many HOCl solutions quickly lose stability and have to be dosed at high levels. This is where WaterControl comes in with the Ecalit process on: It guarantees a particularly pure and stable form of HOCl. This makes the difference in practice: lower dosage, high efficacy and maximum safety.

The science behind WaterControl: Hypochlorous acid (HOCl)

HOCl is an endogenous substance that the immune system of humans and animals also uses to fight off pathogens.

  • Manufacture: BergerPIGEONS WaterControl is electrochemically activated using the ECALIT® process with water, salt and electricity. The result: a highly effective, residue-free disinfectant with a shelf life of up to two years.
  • Effect: HOCl penetrates germs, destroys cell components and kills bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts directly, in contrast to acid products, which only inhibit growth.
  • Compatibility: As HOCl occurs naturally in the body, it is particularly gentle and safe for pigeons.

The invisible enemy: Biofilm in drinking vessels

A core problem in pigeon breeding is the Biofilm, a slimy coating in drinking troughs and drinking vessels that protects pathogens and can promote antibiotic resistance.

WaterControl dissolves and destroys biofilm sustainably. It therefore not only eliminates superficial germs, but also their source. This reduces the risk of recurring infections and contributes to long-term Health of racing pigeons with.

Application and dosage: Practical for everyday use by breeders

Area of applicationDosage per 1 litre of waterPurposeFrequency
Maintenance hygiene0.5-1 mlDaily, preventive applicationRegularly
Intensive hygienisation3-5 mlShock treatment for increased bacterial loadUnique
Drinking trough/line cleaning10-20 mlBasic cleaning & biofilm removalIf required

Practical examples:

  • Maintenance hygiene: daily to prevent disease transmission.
  • Intensive hygienisation: after races, in the case of new arrivals or acute bacterial contamination.
  • Cleaning: Targeted against biofilm in drinking troughs, pipes and containers.

Quality standards:

  • DIN EN 901 tested: fulfils the strictest standards for human drinking water.
  • Environmentally friendly: Decomposes into water and salt - no residues, no toxicity.

Conclusion: Foundation for healthy and high-performance racing pigeons

BergerPIGEONS WaterControl is due to its properties a Strategic tool for the breeder:

  • ensure drinking water hygiene in the long term,
  • prevent infections,
  • to sustainably break down biofilm,
  • and increase the performance of the pigeon population.

With WaterControl provides you with a solution that combines modern science and practical suitability for everyday use. Thanks to HOCl in the Ecalit process chains of infection are reliably interrupted, without side-effects, without the desire to drink, without residues.

Whoever wants to protect their pigeons Reduce infection pressure and the Health in the blow permanently, thanks to the special Ecalit process in WaterControl is the ideal solution.

Contaminated water can contain bacteria, viruses and protozoa and cause diseases such as trichomoniasis. Clean drinking water protects the health of racing pigeons.

Why is drinking water hygiene so important for racing pigeons?

How does BergerPIGEONS WaterControl work in drinking water?

Is WaterControl safe for racing pigeons?

How do I dose WaterControl in everyday life?

What distinguishes WaterControl from other products?

What makes a high-performance racing pigeon? Between theory, genetics and real-life practice

In racing pigeon breeding, there has always been a desire for performance foresee even before a pigeon goes on its first race. Numerous observation and assessment methods have therefore been developed over generations. They are part of the culture of our sport and are valuable because they help us to perceive, compare and better understand pigeons.

Many breeders work with finely honed theoretical models, for example:

  • Eye theories to assess vitality, orientation or inheritance strength
  • Pigmentation on tail or wing feathers as possible indications of metabolism, vitality or feather quality
  • Shape of certain cover springs under the sash
  • and elasticity and shape of the hand wings, feather structure
  • Musculature, sternum, backbone, back line, throat and breathing

These characteristics are intensively considered and discussed in shows, at exhibitions and in discussions.
And this activity makes sense: it trains your perception and feeling for pigeons.

But:

No single characteristic can predict with certainty whether a pigeon will achieve top performance in the long term.

The decisive factor is the Total from motivation, physiology, orientation, resilience and regeneration capacity, and this sum is reflected in the only in the race.

What do scientific studies show?

The study by Mercieca et al. investigated whether external body characteristics such as wing length, breast depth or body weight are directly related to flight speed. The result was clear:

No single external characteristic reliably explains the actual travel performance.

Pigeons with long wings or deeper chests were not automatically faster. The decisive factors were the interaction and functional performance of the overall system, in particular musculature, energy balance, orientation and stress resistance in flight.

Source: Mercieca S, Jilly B, Gáspárdy A (2017) Connection among Body Measurements and Flying Speed of Racing Pigeon. Int J Agric Sc Food Technol 3(1): 009-018

At the same time, the genetic study by Kolvenbag et al. was able to show that certain Gene variants can influence certain aspects of performance, for example:

Gene markerFunctionPerformance relevance
DRD4Mental stability, orientation
& stress management		Short & medium-haul
F-KERSpring structure & aerodynamic
Efficiency		Long distance (500 km +)

But the same applies here:

No single gene "makes" a top aircraft.
Performance is only achieved in combination with training, health and mental resilience.

Source: Geert Kolvenbag, Mark Scott, Arne de Kloet, Ed de Kloet (2022), Prospective study relating genotype profiles with race performance. Journal of Applied Genetics 63:563-570

What does this mean for the practice of breeding?

I understand pigeons as Functional whole organismswhose performance is generated on several levels simultaneously:

  1. Genetics: It defines the framework within which metabolism, regeneration and orientation are possible.
  2. Musculature & energy supply: Especially the Fat metabolism determines stamina on long flights.
  3. Sash mechanism & spring quality: Not the form "according to theory", but Efficiency counts in practice.
  4. Mental capacity: The instinct to return home, orientation, calmness and stress resistance are crucial.
  5. Training & health management: Without it, potential remains unutilised.

A pigeon is not good because it is "beautiful".
It is good because it repeated home quickly in the heat, rain, headwinds and over long distances.

And that's exactly how I rate pigeons:
I trust in Performance, consistency and regeneration.

The ability to recover after a hard flight to be back at competition level within a few daysFor me, this is one of the strongest performance indicators of all.

Why I continue to check, feel, observe but in the end decide the list

Of course, the judgement of a pigeon in the hand still plays a role.
liveliness, musculature, plumage quality and body balance say something about Condition and Readiness for training but they say nothow the pigeon will react under the real conditions of a race.

And this is exactly where pigeons become competitors: in the air, in the wind, under pressure, at the decisive moment of orientation.

That's why I trust my eyes and my hands, but at the end of the day I trust the Results in the list.

Because what the pigeon in the Basket, in the Air and in the Price list is what it really is.

No. Certain characteristics can provide clues, but the actual performance is only revealed in the race flight.

Can you reliably recognise the performance of a pigeon "in the hand"?

Are genetic tests useful for breeding?

Why does mental strength play such an important role?

What role does training play compared to genetics?

Is a beautiful or "correctly built" pigeon automatically good?

What is the strongest performance indicator for me?

Carrier pigeons and bird flu: how great is the danger really?

The show season is just around the corner with award ceremonies, auctions, fairs and meetings that we have been looking forward to for months. While the organisers have been preparing with great dedication, we fanciers have not been idle either: Our racing pigeons have been lovingly cared for, have moulted brilliantly and are ready for their grand entrance at shows and exhibitions and are full of energy for the tasks ahead.

And suddenly one topic dominates the news: the Avian flu (avian influenza). There is concern, can pigeons transmit bird flu and thus jeopardise their existence or even humans? In this blog post, I will take you by the hand, clarify the facts and show you how we can protect our beloved Pigeons can protect them.

Avian flu: a brief introduction

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects poultry such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and wild birds. We are currently experiencing the biggest spread of this virus for decades and strict protective measures are in place in many places. Racing pigeon fancier are rightly wondering what this means for their pigeons. The reassuring news: For Carrier pigeons the situation is less dramatic than one might expect.

Are carrier pigeons susceptible to bird flu?

In short: Yes, but only with great difficulty. Pigeons can in principle become infected with the avian flu virus, but are less receptive than other bird species. This means that Carrier pigeons much less frequently fall ill. If a pigeon does become infected, the animals usually only show mild symptoms or remain completely inconspicuous. Experience from research and practice confirms this: Neither in urban pigeon populations nor in Pedigree pigeons or Carrier pigeons have been diagnosed with significant cases of bird flu in the past major outbreaks. Their immune systems often seem to be able to cope with the virus, which is a relief for us breeders.

Do pigeons play a role as carriers of bird flu?

Experts and authorities agree: Pigeons do not play a significant epidemiological role in the spread of avian flu. Why? Even if a pigeon is infected, it only excretes a minimal amount of the virus, so little that it is hardly enough to infect other animals. In other words: Carrier pigeons carry the virus almost never in other stocks further. For this reason, pigeons were even removed from the Avian Influenza Ordinance in Germany in 2018. It was recognised that they were not responsible for the epidemic. No significance comes to us. For us as breeders, this means that our Carrier pigeons are not officially regarded as dangerous bird flu carriers. This special status is justified by experts on the grounds that pigeons can transmit viruses in exceptional cases. harbour but the amount of virus remains so small that No infection of other animals.

Exceptions confirm the rule

Of course, nothing in biology is absolute. In rare cases, avian flu viruses have been detected in pigeons. For example, pathogens have been found in the organs of wild pigeons (wood pigeons) in isolated cases. However, such cases are Extremely rare and proceeded in isolation, without further spread. The important thing is For people According to current knowledge, urban pigeons or carrier pigeons do not pose a relevant avian flu risk. Although the virus can theoretically jump from birds to humans, this has not been known to occur in pigeons to date. So we breeders and all animal lovers can breathe a sigh of relief.

How we protect our pigeons from bird flu

Even if Carrier pigeons themselves are hardly carriers, responsible breeders should exercise caution, which is in the interest of the general public. Pigeon health is sensible. With a few simple measures, we minimise any residual risk and keep our protégés fit:

  • No contact with wild birds: If possible, let our pigeons only fly in a controlled manner and not in fields or resting areas where ducks, geese or wild birds are present. These wild birds are considered to be the main carriers of bird flu. We should also avoid allowing other birds to help themselves to food or water in the loft.
  • Hygiene in the dovecote: Let's keep the pigeon loft clean and disinfect it regularly. We should make sure that the litter is clean and that feeding and drinking vessels are cleaned regularly to prevent pathogens from entering. If we visit or return from other lofts, we disinfect our shoes and hands before we go to our pigeons.
  • No strange visitors in the loft: Reduce the number of visitors to our dovecote during acute outbreak periods. The fewer external contacts our Carrier pigeons the lower the risk of disease introduction.
  • Pay attention to instructions: Let us observe the requirements of the authorities. In Germany, there are No compulsory stabling for pigeons in the case of bird flu, but if there are local restrictions (such as a ban on flying in certain regions), we should adhere to them. If in doubt, we talk to the veterinary office and point out the special status of pigeons, which can often avert unnecessary restrictions.

These precautionary measures not only protect us from bird flu, but also promote the health of our population in general. Carrier pigeons. So we can go into the next Breeding and Racing season and concentrate on the essentials: Breeding, training, competition flights and the joy of pigeon racing.

Conclusion: all-clear with common sense

The role of Pigeons in the spread of bird flu is often overestimated. For us Racing pigeon fancier this means that we can breathe a sigh of relief. Our Carrier pigeons are No dangerous carriers of bird flu. Nevertheless, it never hurts to remain vigilant. With common sense and simple protective measures, we can keep the situation under control. This way, our pigeons stay healthy and we can enjoy our passion for Racing pigeon breeding and sport.

Stay informed, act responsibly and continue to enjoy the wonderful hobby of racing pigeons without unnecessary fear of bird flu.

Sources:
Qi Shao et al, Poult Sci. 2023 Jul 20;102(10): Pigeon MDA5 inhibits viral replication by triggering antiviral innate immunity
Di Genova et al., Journal of General Virology 2025;106, Pigeons exhibit low susceptibility and poor transmission capacity for H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b high pathogenicity avian influenza virus

Yes, Carrier pigeons can, in exceptional cases, contact the Avian flu but are significantly less susceptible than chickens or ducks. Pigeons usually remain healthy or only show mild symptoms.

Can carrier pigeons get bird flu?

Are pigeons carriers of bird flu?

Do carrier pigeons have to stay in the loft during bird flu outbreaks?

How can I protect my pigeons from bird flu?

Is bird flu dangerous for humans through pigeons?

What should I do if there are cases of bird flu in my region?

Moulting our racing pigeons: how to prepare your pigeons optimally with the BergerPIGEONS moulting pack

The prices are made in the moult

For racing pigeons, the moult is much more than just a change of feathers; it determines the condition, feather quality, health and ultimately the results of the coming racing season. After all, a strong feather is the most important "tool" of our pigeons. While many fanciers sit back and relax at this time, the truth is that this is where the foundation for the next summer is laid. If you optimise the moult, you will benefit from vital, resilient and performance-ready racing pigeons the following year.

Why the moult is so demanding

In no other period do so many metabolic processes take place simultaneously. This is particularly important:

  • Extremely high demand for methionine and cystine (springs consist of approx. 8%)
  • High energy and nutrient metabolism
  • Increased stress on the liver and immune system
  • Higher infection pressure in the field due to weather conditions

The methionine/cystine content of pure grain mixtures is often below 0,2%which is why pigeons have to consume large quantities of feed to cover their requirements. This quickly leads to Fatty degeneration, longer moulting period and unnecessary strain on the organism.

The goal of a perfect moult

An optimally cared for pigeon shows...

  • smooth, closed, firm and glossy plumage
  • Stable body condition without fat deposits
  • Robust health despite stress
  • a calm, harmonious moulting process

This is the basis for the pigeon to be "ready to perform" next spring.

The three pillars of successful moulting and how the BergerPIGEONS moulting package helps

1) Relieve the metabolism, liver & immune system

During moulting, the liver is the central organ for metabolic work. If it is not supported, feather quality, shape development and vitality suffer. At the same time, the infection pressure increases significantly.

➡️ Product in the package: VitalDrink

  • Supports Metabolism and immune system
  • relieves the liver in this highly active phase
  • Easy to feed via the drinking trough and is readily drunk

2) Amino acids for shiny, stable feathers

Without methionine and cystine there is no feather quality, so simple and so crucial. As feathers grow every day, the pigeon needs a Continuous supplynot occasional "impulses".

➡️ Product in the package: RecoverAmin Forte

  • supplies High-quality amino acids especially for spring formation
  • simultaneously supports the Liver function
  • bends Fatty degeneration and moulting delays before

3) Stabilise intestinal flora and reduce infection pressure

A stressed intestine means poor nutrient absorption and higher germ pressure. Especially during moulting, the intestine acts like a "circuit breaker".

➡️ Product in the package: SymBiotic

  • stabilises the Intestinal flora
  • improves the Nutrient utilisation
  • reduces the Infection pressure

Application in practice

For optimum moulting, I recommend using the BergerPIGEONS moulting package throughout the entire moulting phase. This supports the metabolism, amino acid supply and intestinal health in the long term, every single day that feathers grow.

Conclusion

A smooth moult is no coincidence, but the result of consistent and targeted care. Those who take this phase seriously will benefit later on in the races. After all, a pigeon can only do what its plumage allows and that is now.

Feeding recommendation during the moulting phase

RecoverAmin Forte

  • 5 ml per 1 litre of drinking water
  • 2-3 × per week apply.

VitalDrink

  • 5 ml per 1 litre of drinking water
  • Also 2-3 × per week,
    ideally together with RecoverAmin Forte in the same trough.

SymBiotic

  • 5 g per 1 litre of drinking water or via 1 kg feed (for approx. 20 pigeons)
  • At the beginning of the moult as Cure over 5-7 days apply.
  • Subsequently 2 × per weekpreferably via the grain feed.

Above all, methionine, cystine, vitamins, minerals and a stable intestinal flora and liver function.

What do racing pigeons need in particular during the moulting period?

Why is methionine so important during moulting?

How do I avoid fatty degeneration during moulting?

Why is the infection pressure higher during moulting?

Does an optimised mouse supply really make a difference?