Having spoken directly with him to get the accurate reason it turned out to have nothing to do with administering an emtryl based product to eliminate trichomonas infection as was being rumoured. It was a product used to stop vomiting which experienced fanciers are familiar with, but there was nothing wrong with the product if used correctly. It is a European product called Chevi-Col which also goes under another name Cabrol-Col.

33 breeding cages were in use at the time and the correct dosage applied, but due to circumstances it was given for 7 days and not 5 days. Daniel heard bizarre sounds coming from the breeding room and found several birds behaving as if they were severely handicapped for no reason. Several were already dead and very quickly a total of 18 dead cocks were the result. The result, because of over use and because the cocks are always drinking while the hens are in the boxes, was that their nervous systems were ruined and basically the birds were poisoned.

Apparently there is a UK Fancier, Neil Murray, who has experience of this product and across the hobby it now seems that using this product is considered very risky especially if some birds drink more than others and over a longer period than recommended. Daniel blames himself entirely for his own stupidity – easy with hindsight. Fanciers beware!