Garlic no longer controversial (04-05-23)
Someone from an 'emerging pigeon country' had a question about garlic. He was not the first to want to know what pigeon fanciers here thought about garlic.
CONTROVERSIAL
Garlic has been controversial for centuries. Long before the Romans, garlic was considered to have special values. That has never changed. It has also been used for a long time in pigeon sport.
Strangely enough not (anymore) in the Netherlands, but in the Berlaar region in Belgium and also by well-known champions. Especially the allicin present would make the difference. That is an antioxidant with an antimicrobial effect.
What does that mean in practice in today's pigeon sport?
You should especially think of trichomoniasis, which is no longer as big a problem as it once was. According to some, this is due to garlic in the drinking water. The allicin would not have a curative effect, but it would have a preventive effect.
WISHFUL THINKING
Fanciers, however, began to doubt more and more. Because what was found? Pigeons that never received garlic no longer suffered from trichomoniades either. Others, also on my advice, went to do tests.
They gave half of their pigeons garlic, the others did not and noticed no difference in condition and performance.
It is being used less and less in Belgium and that will not 'improve' after an article in the only remaining Dutch pigeon newspaper last week.
NO LONGER CONTESTED
A doctor who was very interested in pigeons also wanted to know and took some tests. Pigeons were very lightly infected with trichomones, then treated with garlic (allicin), but the infection did not change.
The doctor: "Can you imagine, if it doesn't do anything with such a light infection."
Some champion friends and I also did tests. The most positive thing we can say about garlic right now is that it does no harm!
SCIENTISTS
In our care for our pigeons it is tempting to attribute performance-enhancing properties to certain herbs. It is as old as pigeon sport.
But if scientists with name and fame claim that they have yet to discover the first herb (natural remedy) that is 100% sure to have a positive effect on performance, eyebrows can be raised.