Australian National Budgerigar Council
Pre Breeding Psittacosis Plan
Pre-Breeding Psittacosis Cleansing Plan for Exhibition Budgerigars
Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) is the most common cause of breeding failure in budgerigar studs. Reduced immune function associated with vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency is often implicated in the development of this highly contagious disease.
Psittacosis usually exists as a latent disease and only becomes apparent during the breeding season. For this reason, a 5-day doxycycline hydrochloride treatment trial is recommended to check for the presence of this disease.
The complete cleansing plan (see chart below) is implemented when the flock shows a positive response to the treatment trial (see signs below) and continues for up to 30 days according to the response to this treatment. Doxycycline is a prescription-only medicine available from your avian veterinarian following consultation.
The beginning of winter (June 1st) is an ideal time to commence the cleansing plan when preparing for Spring breeding. When sub-clinical psittacosis associated with vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency is present, this treatment will enhance fertility to its highest level when combined with ZADE Liquid, Turbobooster, E Powder PLUS and Fvite PLUS.
This plan may also be implemented during the summer moult in readiness for autumn breeding when reproductive failures have been experienced during the current or previous breeding seasons.
ZADE Liquid, Turbobooster, E Powder PLUS and Fvite PLUS are crucial additions to the cleansing plan. The doxycycline treatment, in combination with these supplements, enhances immune function, fertility and offspring health and vitality by ensuring the flock is free of Psittacosis at the start of breeding and that vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B, protein and minerals levels are optimised.
As part of this cleansing plan, routine preventive treatments for lice, mites and worms are best given prior to commencing the doxycycline treatment and then repeated after its conclusion. Additional treatments for the prevention of previously diagnosed “resident diseases” such as coccidiosis and trichomoniasis can also be incorporated into the Doxycycline plan.
Psittacosis Cleansing Plan
| Day | In Drinking Water | Additional Treatments (in water) |
On Grain Mix or in Soft Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lice, mite & airsac mite prevention prior to commencing Doxycycline | Turbobooster, E Powder & Fvite on food daily for duration of cleansing plan |
||
| Day 1 | Doxycycline & Megamix | Assess response to Doxycycline to determine duration of cleansing plan | |
| Day 2 | Doxycycline & Megamix | ||
| Day 3 | Doxycycline & Megamix | ||
| Day 4 | Doxycycline & Megamix | ||
| Day 5 | Doxycycline & Megamix | ||
| Day 6 | Continues up to 30 days | + ZADE Liquid | |
| Day 7 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + ZADE Liquid | |
| Day 8 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + Coccidiosis prevention * | |
| Day 9 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + Coccidiosis prevention * | |
| Day 10 | Doxycycline & Megamix | ||
| Day 11 | Doxycycline & Megamix | ||
| Day 12 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + ZADE Liquid | |
| Day 13 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + ZADE Liquid | |
| Day 14 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + Trichomoniasis prevention ** | |
| Day 15 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + Trichomoniasis prevention ** | |
| Day 16 | Doxycycline & Megamix | + Trichomoniasis prevention ** | |
ZADE LIQUID: ZADE Liquid is added to the drinking water for 2 consecutive days each week for the duration of this plan.
Quik Gel during cold spells: Quikgel is given as an energy boost to help prevent cold stress.
Treatment of Resident Diseases
Coccidiosis prevention:
* For flocks with a history of coccidiosis, give coccidiosis treatment in drinking water for 2 days (repeated each 4 weeks).
Trichomoniasis prevention:
** For flocks with a history of Trichomoniasis, give preventative treatments in water for 3 days.
Continue to monitor response to Doxycycline to determine duration of cleansing plan (up to 30 days).
See below for positive signs of Doxycycline treatment.
Monitoring the Flock’s Response to the Treatment Trial
In birds with Psittacosis, a positive response should be noted by the third day of administering the doxycycline treatment. Increased activity and noise from the birds is the most noticeable sign of a positive response.
With time, further positive changes should become more obvious. There is a brighter colour to the feathers and the droppings become smaller. A positive response to the five-day trial indicates Psittacosis is in fact present and that the health of the flock would be enhanced by a completed course (up to 30 days).
Megamix must be added to the drinking water for the duration of Doxycycline treatment to allow the full absorption of vitamins and minerals which are necessary to prepare the birds for breeding.
Positive Signs of Doxycycline Treatment
When a positive response has been noted treatment should continue until negative signs appear. Positive signs include:
- Increased noise and vitality
- Droppings become smaller and less watery
- Pin or down feathers suddenly appear on the droppings
- Birds become more active and are no longer fluffed up
- Feather quality improves with tighter plumage and increased depth of colour
Negative Signs of Doxycycline Treatment
Treatment must be halted when negative signs appear. Birds that react negatively may fluff-up and look depressed within three days of starting the Doxycycline treatment.
They may also develop dark green watery droppings, vomit and become inactive. Negative signs may be related to thrush (candidiasis), a yeast infection that occurs when tetracyclines such as Doxycycline are administered to healthy birds. These signs indicate the flock is free of Psittacosis.
Treatment Length
Doxycycline & Megamix should continue until the birds become quiet and fluff up. This may be as short as three days (in birds free from Psittacosis) or as long as 30 days when Psittacosis is present. Most flocks with underlying Psittacosis will show no negative signs for the duration of the Doxycycline treatment.
To promote breeding readiness and maximise fertility, ZADE Liquid is given for 2 days each week in the drinking water and Turbobooster, E-powder PLUS and Fvite PLUS daily on the food for the duration of the Doxycycline plan.
These supplements may be added to the dry seed or into a soft food mix to ensure the protein, vitamins and mineral needs of birds are optimised and breeding can be confidently commenced within 2-3 weeks of the conclusion of Doxycycline treatment.
The Quikgel & ZADE Breeding Programme immediately follows the Doxycycline Cleansing Plan. Routine disease prevention protocols for lice, mites and worms should continue throughout the breeding season.