KennyB Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 talking to to one of the guns on the shoot i pick up on today and was told that the pheasants have gone down with gapes disease and are being treated via there drinking water, i have heard of gapes but have never experienced it myself,with the season approaching he said the keeper is vey concerned as i know they put a few thousand down it would be a great shame to lose them, has anybody else had this experienced gapes and how did you get on?? Also is it contagious to dogs or humans kenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy111 Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) I can understand the concern. Gapes, unfortunately is fairly common, but treatable, but is prevalent, espscially in old release pens. I notice you said they are been treated through drinking water. I am presuming this is with 10% Panacur (The sly method), as the lower % seem to settle out in the bottom of the drinker supplies. Otherwise, Flubinvet (Bl**dy expensive), mixed with feed will cure it as well, but you will still lose some birds. Once the birds are out of the pens and on the feeders, the problem disappears. One of the main carriers are Rooks, which will be at your feeders as well and the eggs are deposited in their S>>t, so when the pouts are scratting around for grit, they pick the eggs up as well. Regular worming while in the pens is good practice, also, not overcrowding. The old adage, 1 bird per 1 yard of fence seems to spring to mind. I have gapes in one pen, it will be moved next year,,,,,,,,,,,,,I hope, but I keep it in check with Flubinvet(I'm not paying for it ) and Panacur in the water, just to cover all ways. It is not contagious, as far as I know, to dogs or humans, it is only a bird problem, but someone out there, might put me right. Sorry if it seems a bit vague, just got back from lamping.............currypackered Edited August 21, 2009 by wy111 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyB Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 thanks for the reply very interesting read and encouraging kenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 depending who his vet is and whether they specialise in game birds my brother works for a practice that has a game bird section, they cover most of Southern England so if he wants details let me know. Being one of the largest they actually tend to be one of the cheapest for drugs as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyB Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 ill see what he says thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 If you're getting worried, mix what ever drug you are using with a bit of Vimto - or something simular. The pheasants will go crazy for it's sugary flavour and you'll be pretty sure each bird gets a good dose of the drug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmateX Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 I use Oramec in the water it doesn’t settle out like panacure and is cheaper than flubenvet. I find drugs in feed problematic because a sick bird is less likely to eat than drink although when its wet birds will always drink from the dirtiest puddle they can find and not from a drinker :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy111 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Hey Amatex. You the same one from defunct happykeeper? Blast from the past eh? Just saw the mention of Oramec, never knew of this one. Ok for gapes? and do you need a presciption? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmateX Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Hi Wy111, it is me from HK, hows things? Oramec is not licensed for pheasants so when you buy it say it’s for sheep if they ask, normally want your address too. You can get it from places like mole valley farmers, scats probably online too without a prescription. The dose is 2ml/L but I make it a bit stronger in the release pen if it’s wet (3-4ml/L) treat for 5-7 days. If anyone buys Flubenvet and mixes it themselves you might find Flubenol for pigs slightly cheaper as it comes in a 600g tub instead of 240g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy111 Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Hi Wy111, it is me from HK, hows things? Hi Amatex, thought it was you Probaly same as you. Upto the eyeballs with the birds. Got ex- layers again this year (1yo) and have feathered up nicely. Got that many feeders out to help stop them wandering , they're tripping over them, seems to have worked, especially with them been on maintainance pellets for a couple of weeks in the pens and a mix of pellets and wheat in the external ones. Had Flubinvet and Avatec put into the maintainance pellets, what a commotion when I asked for that to be done, but with the Panacur in water as well, not lost a bird through disease. Will have to look at Oramec next year now as they are out and about. Might be picking your brains next year, going to raise some Grey's, not to shoot, just to reintroduce them. It will be a first for me. Got rid of all your poults this year? Seems they were in good demand, even better now the price of wheat has crashed. Hope all ok down there. Cheers Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 All my ex layers had gape when they arrived, seven days using Flubinvet and they were cleaner than clean. Now I have happy birds that are feathering up just fine and dont seem to feather pulling after they were treated, I wounder if they try to take the worms down with the feathers. Maybe but unsure as its my first year buying birds. The PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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