Information for Pigeon Owners

Flock Management

Ways to Help Pigeon Producers Manage Feed Costs

Humane Euthanasia:

Euthanasia is a humane death that occurs with a minimum of pain, fear and distress

Considerations:
Producers should ask themselves the following questions when deciding if a sick, debilitated or injured bird should be euthanized:

• Is the bird experiencing pain or distress?
• Is recovery likely?
• Is the bird likely to transmit disease to other birds?
• Is the bird able to access the feed and water?
• Can the bird be treated?
• Is the bird or its eggs suitable for human consumption, or will they be suitable for consumption after recovery or treatment?
  

Methods of Euthanasia for Pigeons

Euthanasia Services:

AVMA Guidelines for Humane Euthanasia

If you have questions/concerns about the health of your birds, or questions about destruction options, contact your local veterinarian.

Egg Farmers of Ontario
7195 Millcreek Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 4H1
Phone: (905) 858-9790 Fax: (905) 858-1589
Toll Free: 1 800-387-8360
-Whole barn gassing capabilities, will need to contact for individual barn details
-Mark Beaven, Field Operations Manager (cell: 519-292-0585)

Brian's Poultry Services Ltd.
Box 9
Mildmay, Ontario
N0G 2J0
Tel: 1-888-632-2775
Website: http://www.brianspoultry.on.ca/contact.html
Email: contact-us@brianspoultry.on.ca
-Gassing, Catching crew to perform cervical dislocation

Wayne Martin
Elmira, Ontario
Tel: 519-669-2039
- will perform cervical dislocation of pigeons
- transportation required
- not available Sundays

Moonfleet Poultry Inc.
(519) 821-9872
E-mail: daveottens@sympatico.ca
-Catching crew to perform cervical dislocation

Nipissing Game Farm Inc.
Lot 2, Con. 18 Nipissing Township
District Of Parry Sound, On, P0H 1H0
367 Birchgrove Drive West
Callander, On
(705) 752-2061

Greidanus Poultry Services Ltd.
Terry Greidanus
(519) 525-7178
-Catching crew to perform cervical dislocation

Disposal Options:

OMAFRA - Note: It is recommended that pigeons be disposed of in a manner similar to livestock encompassed by the Dead Animal Disposal Act

Composting Guidelines for Dead Pigeons

Burial Guidelines for Dead Pigeons

In-Ground Soil Burial Guidelines

On-Farm Composting of Livestock and Poultry Mortalities

Proper Burial Techniques for Small Farm Animals and Poultry Mortalities for Small Farm Animals

Windrow Composting of Poultry Carcasses

Deadstock composting equipment rentals and deadstock windrow construction
Gary Sutcliffe
1-877-557-7527
E-mail:wer@tcc.on.ca

Disposal Options, Rendering:

Atwood Pet Food Supply
6724 Road 164
Atwood Ontario
N0G 1B0
Phone: 519-356-2257
Fax: 519-356-9112
Key contact: David Smith, President
Call first to confirm scheduling availablity

Slaughter and Processing:

Below is a list of processors willing to discuss options with producers. Please call first.

CRO Quail
3625 Sixteen Road
St. Anns, Ontario
L0R 1Y0
(905) 562-7277

Dan Dan The Chicken Man
RR 5 1806 Balkwill Line
Coldwater, Ontario
L0K 1E0
(705) 325-5749

Everspring Farms Ltd.
RR 3 14821 Ten Mile Road
Ilderton, Ontario
N0M 2A0
(519) 659-5054

JR Meats in Foxboro
275 Frankford Road
Foxboro, Ontario
K0K 2B0
(613) 962-7915

M.W.F. Poultry
RR 1
Elora, Ontario
N0B 1S0
(519) 846-9290

Nipissing Game Farm Inc.
Lot 2, Con. 18 Nipissing Township
District Of Parry Sound, Ontario
P0H 1H0
367 Birchgrove Drive West
Callander, Ontario
(705) 752-2061

Sheik Halal Farms Inc.
193064 Amaranth East/Luther Townline
Grand Valley, Ontario
L0N 1G0
(905) 928-5724

Producers Please Note:

Effective June 1, 2009, all shipments of PKI pigeons with birds more than eight weeks of age will be tested for drug residues. Sampled shipments will not be held pending test results. If a producer's lot tests positive for drug residue, the producer's next five shipments will be placed on "hold and test".

There are no testing requirements for PKI pigeon shipments with birds under eight weeks of age.

Pigeon Flock Data Sheets continue to be required for all shipments of PKI pigeons.

Producers must:

• complete a Pigeon Flock Data Sheet in full;.
  
• fax the Pigeon Flcok Data Sheet to OMAFRA at least three business days prior to transportation of the birds to an abattoir; and,
  
• ensure that the form accompanies the birds to the abattoir.

Abattoir operators are aware of this requirement and will request the form upon delivery.

Reminder:

Maximum Reside Limits (MRLs) are used by regulatory agencies i.e., Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs/Canadian Food Inspection Agency (OMAFRA/CFIA) for the purpose of monitoring residues in food. MRLs are established only after Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) has conducted extensive reviews of data submitted by drug manufacturers and has determined that foods containing these veterinary drug residues up to the recommended levels are safe for human consumption.

Since there are no MRL's set by Health Canada for any drug used in pigeons, any level detected is considered unacceptable (zero tolerance). Therefore, all birds sent for processing must be totally clear of all medications used (ie. amprolium, tetracyclines).

The suggested withdrawal times shown in the chart on Pigeon Flock Data Sheet are for guidance only. They are based on withdrawal times established in chickens and turkey since there are no established withdrawal times for pigeons. If you have used any medications in pigeons you are sending for slaughter, it is quite possible that residues will be detected during testing if you do not implement an adequate withdrawal time. Any positive residues will result in the lot being condemned.

Business Risk Management:

Producers that are enrolled in business risk management programs (i.e. – AgriStability) and want to discuss their eligibility should contact Agricorp at:

Phone: 1-877-838-5144

Website: http://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/program

Other Contacts:

Producer Inquiries:
OMAFRA Agricultural Information Contact Centre
1-877-424-1300

Farm Debt Mediation
1-866-452-5556
-Provides mediation assistance to farmers experiencing financial difficulties.

Emotional Stress:
Distress Centres Ontario

Diagnosing and Managing Cash Flow Problems

Business Programs and Services