Megamix
A water cleanser to be used during wet weather to keep the droppings nutty.
Megamix is a mixture of organic acids used to protect the health of the flock during wet weather or when the humidity rises above 50%. The increased acidity does not damage the bowel in any way, but does prevent the acid fearing germs, notably Ecoli and Thrush from multiplying. It is used in aviaries when a humidity problem turns the healthy, small nugget size droppings to a watery mess. The principal function of Megamix is to protect the healthy flock from the damaging effects of high humidity, but it must be used at the first signs of a dropping change. When used at the very first signs of the watery droppings, Megamix gives immediate results, returning the droppings to a nugget like consistency within 8 hours. It is used for one day or can be given continuously during wet spells to protect the health of the breeding and young birds, eliminating the need for stronger medicines.
Megamix & high humidity
To the uninitiated it always seems strange that high humidity (i.e. a moisture content above 50% in the air) causes illness in birds, but it is an undisputed fact that the health of most birds whose origins are from a dry environment suffer when they are housed in high humidity.
For instance, it is obvious to all pigeon fanciers that their birds look duller on rainy days than when the sun is out and that the droppings "go off" when it rains and tighten up when it is dry. This occurs because high moisture in the air is accompanied by an increased bowel germ count (Ecoli and Thrush) which causes "gut ache" and loose droppings. During racing the "upset" bowel will take the birds off form and when the wet spell continues for more than a day their health is endangered. The Megamix lowers the germ count and immediately protects the fitness and health of these racing birds.
Race birds
The form of the healthy racing pigeon can change from day to day depending on the ability of the training pigeons to recover from the exertions of the day. The well designed loft provides the pigeon with the best conditions to fully recover because it protects the birds from the effects of high humidity. However, there are times when this is not always possible. During prolonged rain the humidity in every loft becomes too high and this is when Megamix is best used to protect the form of the race birds.
The dose of Megamix varies from loft to loft depending upon the humidity in the local area and the hardness of the local water. Some use it at 2mls per liter of drinking water to good effect, whereas another loft may require 5mls. Some humidity susceptible lofts need very high doses of up to 10mls per liter. You must calculate your own dose by noting the response of the droppings to the Megamix. Start at 2ml per liter and work your way upwards until you get the desired effect and then stick with that dose. Not only do the droppings return to normal by the afternoon, but also the overall appearance of the flock improves. Look for the return of the glass eye, the bloom on the flight’s down feathers on the droppings and a return to the silky feather of the bird in top form.
All Birds will benefit
Just like the racing pigeons, all birds housed outdoors, or in high humidity environments will benefit from adding Megamix to their drinking water. 6 years ago, when my own flock was living in the humid environment here in Georgia, I was having problems with watery droppings and that is the reason I first sought out Dr. Marshall’s help in correcting this problem. Within a week of getting my first bottle of Megamix, I was able to calculate the correct amount of Megamix to add to their drinking water and my flock’s droppings were back to normal…small, nugget shaped, with just a small water ring.
There is a difference between soft, wet droppings and droppings that contain excess urine. Megamix will firm up the soft, moist droppings but will not eliminate excess urine when it is caused by a disease process. This photo contains overly moist feces, but there is also an excess of urine present too.
Young Birds and Molting
During wet weather the young birds are highly susceptible to health problems. Megamix given at a dose of 10mls per liter controls most young bird health problems without affecting their developing natural resistance. Megamix is completely safe to give during the molt.
Megamix versus KD
Megamix is used as the first choice acid cleanser for the healthy flock. It is used for Ecoli and Thrush problems in aviaries with a humidity problem. It can be used for one day or continuously during wet spells for all birds, whether, breeding or when there are young birds present. Megamix never depresses the form of a healthy bird and is safe to give to birds feeding young babies.
KD is a stronger medicine which is used in flocks, where Ecoli and Thrush is associated with other underlying health problems (fungus, toxins, worms,"respiratory" diseases etc.). It kills Ecoli, Thrush, fungus, viruses and respiratory illnesses without affecting the immune system, whereas Megamix protects the healthy flock from Ecoli and Thrush alone. KD will depress the form of the birds when it is healthy, but lift their activity and noise level when it has an underlying health problem including Ecoli and Thrush.
