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