Spring in the air, China's pigeon racers give birds their meds

A person checks on a pigeon at a market in Beijing, China, February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Muyu Xu

BEIJING (Reuters) - Guarding against avian flu, which has forced a mass cull of birds in China, pigeon fancier Wang Jincang paid out nearly $400 (323 pounds) to get his 200 racing pigeons vaccinated and fortified for the onset of the spring racing season.

"I normally choose imported medicines, which are several times more expensive than some local brands," Wang told Reuters as he lined up to enter birds for contests that begin this month.