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It is an alternative source to the use of antibiotics in diets, which is a big problem because they develop resistant strains of pathogens, and infectious diseases risk becoming untreatable, this aspect also involving human health because they are common infectious agents.

Having citric acid, oregano essential oil and cinnamon essential oil in its composition, our product rich in phytomolecules is recommended when you want:

– maintaining general health by increasing immunity, but also by good control of pathogens (E.Coli, Salmonella, Pasteurella, Mycoplasma, etc.) that the components exert

– developing the microbiome, which means a solid intestinal immunity and an optimization of digestion with positive effects on nutrient absorption

– increasing sports performance – decreasing the risk of diseases

The two main bioactive ingredients in oregano oil, carvacrol and thymol, have antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, antiparasitic and immunomodulatory when administered to pigeons. Carvacrol and thymol have been studied for their potential effect on intestinal barrier function, which plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal health. These compounds may help reduce inflammation in the gut, protect and maintain intestinal integrity, control the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, and improve pigeon performance. Oregano oil is a natural alternative to antibiotics for improving gut health and barrier function in pigeons. It is known for its ability to combat bacteria that commonly cause disease in pigeons, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium, and is currently recommended for use in feed in place of antibiotics.

Respiratory diseases represent a significant component of the overall incidence of disease in pigeons. In many cases, respiratory diseases detected in pigeon flocks may represent part of a prevalent disease originating in other biosystems. For example: various microbial agents can trigger respiratory syndromes, and environmental problems can increase the effect of such pathogens, leading to more severe cases of disease. Pathogens such as Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, Escherichia coli, Avibacterium paragallinarum, Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and Bordetella avium have been frequently isolated from birds suffering from complex respiratory diseases. Cinnamon essential oil has been shown in various studies to reduce the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Avibacterium paragallinarum, Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale. The antimicrobial effect of cinnamon essential oil against various bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio parahaemolyticus has also been demonstrated. The predominant active compound in cinnamon oil is cinnamaldehyde.

Citric acid (CA) is a weak organic acid, a natural preservative that occurs in small amounts in a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. Its inclusion in bird diets has been shown to decrease colonization of pathogens and limit the production of toxic metabolites, improve the availability of proteins, minerals such as Ca, P, Mg and Zn, and serve as a substrate in intermediary metabolism. Its addition to drinking water is beneficial for intestinal health and from a sanitary point of view. Its inclusion in the diet improves the performance and non-specific immunity of pigeons. It also increases specific immunity against New Castle disease in the chicks. Their effect in pigeon diets can also suppress the growth of pathogens and improve digestion, absorption, and immunity of the intestinal mucosa. It increases pepsin secretion through proteolysis and the release of hormones, which regulate the digestion and absorption of proteins.

Notice the beneficial effects that the product offers:

– Weight gain, due to muscle development

– Decrease in the rate of illness

– Increased resistance to stress (transport, heat, humidity, vaccinations, etc.)

– Significant improvement in health

administering 5ml Herbasan to 1 L of drinking water every day.

Example of practical application: Detox Plus and Moor Active

Maintaining the health of racing pigeons throughout the year requires an integrated nutritional approach, adapted to each physiological stage: reproduction, growth, moulting, competition and the cold season. In this context, the use of products with biological action, such as Moor Active (peat-based) and Detox Plus (clay + garlic and cinnamon oil), can bring clear benefits through the properties of humic acids, natural sulfuric substances and phytotherapeutic extracts.

1. Humic and fulvic acids – metabolic and intestinal protective effects

Moor Active is an example of a product based on purified peat, rich in humic and fulvic acids. These compounds contribute to:

• lowering intestinal pH and controlling pathogenic microbial flora;

• protecting the digestive mucosa and improving transit;

• forming complexes with toxins and heavy metals, contributing to their elimination from the body;

• increasing the absorption of essential minerals such as iron, zinc and manganese;

• supporting protein and lipid metabolism, with direct effects on the development of muscle mass and plumage. In young pigeons, these effects translate into faster growth, better feed conversion and increased resistance to intestinal infections.

2. Garlic, cinnamon and clay extract – antimicrobial and detoxifying effect

Detox Plus combines natural clay with concentrated garlic and cinnamon extracts, providing:

• selective antibacterial action (E. coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus);

• protection of beneficial intestinal flora (Lactobacillus);

• internal and respiratory antiparasitic effect;

• mucolytic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect in respiratory diseases;

• liver detoxification and stimulation of nutrient absorption;

• supply of essential sulfur compounds for moulting, skin and joints. These properties justify the use of Detox Plus in all critical periods of the biological cycle, but especially during the growth of chicks, the competition season and moulting

3. Applicability depending on the stage of the pigeon year

Breeding

• Moor Active: supports fertility by balancing mineral and protein metabolism.

• Detox Plus: reduces the risk of bacterial contamination in the aviary and strengthens the immunity of the breeders.

Raising youngsters

• Moor Active: protects the fragile digestive mucosa of the chicks, reduces the risk of chick disease.

• Detox Plus: fights parasites, supports the respiratory system and supports harmonious development.

Moulting

• Moor Active: promotes the absorption of minerals necessary for plumage restoration.

• Detox Plus: the sulfur content contributes to keratin synthesis and intensifies feather pigmentation.

Racing season

• Moor Active: supports digestive and metabolic recovery after exercise.

• Detox Plus: protects the respiratory tract, reduces oxidative stress and detoxifies the liver.

Cold season / rest

• Moor Active: anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating background effects. • Detox Plus: prevents the accumulation of toxins and maintains overall immune status.

4. Administration Guide

Product: Moor Active

Recommended dose: 10 ml/kg feed

Usage steps: 2-3 days/week or 5-7 consecutive days in critical periods

Observations: Can be administered together with vitamins.

Product: Detox Plus

Recommended dose: 5 g/kg feed

Usage steps: 2x/week in reproduction, chicks, moulting, Day 3 and 4 after the race, 21 days + 7 break in the cold season Observations: The medication is administered 2-3 hours after the product.

Conclusions

The Moor Active and Detox Plus products represent practical examples of the use of natural components with an essential role in:

• regulating digestion and metabolism,

• detoxifying the body,

• supporting liver and respiratory function,

• strengthening immunity,

• improving general condition and performance in competitions. Their rational use, correlated with the physiological stage of the pigeon, can make the difference between a season affected by diseases and a successful season.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious human and animal health issues of our time. For example, Candida albicans strains isolated from pigeons are increasingly showing resistance to clotrimazole, natamycin, flucytosine, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, nystatin, and econazole.

Racing pigeons play a key role in the spread of resistance as they travel hundreds of kilometers in a single race, providing an opportunity for the dissemination of resistant bacteria.

Propolis is a natural substance with antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, cytotoxic, and wound-healing properties. Propolis acts through its numerous biologically active molecules, such as polyphenols and terpenoids.

Ádám Kerek et al. conducted a study to investigate the effectiveness of propolis against Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Candida albicans, and Trichomonas gallinae isolated from pigeons. For each pathogen, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum eradication concentration (MEC) were determined for eight isolates using ethanolic extracts of propolis at concentrations of 96%, 90%, 80%, 70%, and 60%.

The study showed that propolis is effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, Candida albicans, and Trichomonas gallinae strains. Its effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria was, in some cases, comparable to that of antibiotics, suggesting propolis as a potential alternative for wound infection treatments. Its remarkable efficacy against Trichomonas gallinae is especially promising as an alternative treatment for this common pigeon infection. It also proved effective against Candida albicans strains:

• Candida albicans: MIC values between 1.56 and 400 μg/mL; MEC values between 3.125 and 800 μg/mL
• Trichomonas gallinae: MEC values between 2.5 and 5 mg/mL
• Staphylococcus spp.: MIC values between 1.56–400 μg/mL; MEC values between 12.5–3260 μg/mL
• Enterococcus spp.: MIC values between 1.56–400 μg/mL; MEC values between 12.5–800 μg/mL

Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica: MIC values >13,000 μg/mL

Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Action of Propolis:

• Antibacterial activity is attributed to inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, reduced motility, disruption of cell membrane function, energy metabolism inhibition, biofilm formation prevention, damage to membrane proteins, altered membrane permeability, and reduction of bacterial resistance.
• Against fungi (Candida albicans), propolis disrupts the cell membrane through depolarization and induces apoptosis. It also inhibits the expression of several genes related to pathogenicity, cellular adhesion, biofilm formation, and phenotypic switching. Phenotypic switching, particularly hyphae formation, is one of the key virulence factors in fungi. Candida albicans is the most common pathogenic yeast, with its hyphal form able to penetrate epithelial and endothelial tissues, causing damage.
• Antiparasitic action of propolis involves several mechanisms. It interferes with phospholipid metabolism, lowering levels of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol – both vital components of cell membranes. Additionally, flavonoids such as chalcones significantly inhibit parasite growth. 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-chalcone enhances sterol content and alters cellular and mitochondrial membrane composition, changing structure and fluidity. Rosmarinic acid and apigenin cause cell lysis, cytoplasmic condensation, and nuclear DNA aggregation. Resveratrol damages the hydrogenosome, a cellular organelle responsible for energy production and redox balance in protozoa. Apigenin and caffeic acid increase the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to mitochondrial swelling and apoptosis. Quercetin acts as an iron chelator, while oleanolic acid inhibits surface protease activity essential for host cell entry. Kaempferol affects the expression of the heavy chain of actin and myosin II, impairing parasite adhesion.

T. gallinae is a protozoan that causes yellowish-white deposits in pigeons, typically in the upper respiratory tract and pharyngeal cavity. Mortality is very high in chicks and young birds, while adults are often asymptomatic. It is commonly transmitted through drinking water and bird feed.

Here is an example regarding protozoan viability and propolis activity against T. gallinae: After sample collection, the number of protozoa was counted after 24, 48, and 72 hours. Results clearly show that after 48 hours, the number of protozoa decreased, and they even died in sample 11 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Initial number of protozoa at 24, 48, and 72 hours/mL for each Trichomonas gallinae strain. A gradual decrease in protozoa count can be clearly observed.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of propolis has been demonstrated through numerous experiments, with results similar to those obtained in the cited study.

• Due to variations in geographic origin and composition, propolis may present different MIC values in different countries. MEC* values are consistently equal to or greater than MIC values. However, the substantial variability observed in propolis may significantly reduce the likelihood of resistance development compared to antibiotics.
• Infection with Trichomonas gallinae is widespread among pigeons, and these findings suggest that propolis shows promise as an alternative to antibiotics for its treatment. It may be used as a topical treatment when applied directly to the oral cavity or mixed with drinking water, potentially replacing ronidazole use.
• Propolis also showed remarkable effectiveness against C. albicans.
• Our research confirmed high efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria. These results suggest that propolis could serve as an effective alternative treatment for external infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

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The MEC (Minimum Eradication Concentration) refers to the lowest concentration of a substance required to reduce the number of microorganisms by at least four orders of magnitude, effectively eradicating them. In this study, MEC values are used to assess the effectiveness of propolis in completely eliminating Trichomonas gallinae and other pathogens.

Ádám Kerek, Péter Csanády, Barbara Tuska-Szalay, László Kovács and Ákos Jerzsele, In Vitro Efficacy of Hungarian Propolis against Bacteria, Yeast, and Trichomonas gallinae Isolated from Pigeons—A Possible Antibiotic Alternative?, Resources 2023