Home
Page
****Save as
text then delete unwanted data and simply
print the
rest****
Angel Wing In Ducks
And Geese
Angel wing, also known as slipped wing, crooked wing
or drooped wing, is a condition of ducks and geese where
the last joint of the wing is twisted and the wing
feathers point out, and do not lay smooth against the
body.
It is more common in geese and typically in either the
left wing or both wings, only rarely in the right wing
only. Males develop it more than females. The birds that
develop the problem are perfectly healthy, they are just
not as nice looking.
The cause of angel wing is thought to be a nutritional
problem due to excess feed. You see, waterfowl that
normally mature in the Arctic environment do not show any
angel wing because of their naturally fast growth. It
does appear, however, in those species that come from a
more temperate environment where they grow slower under
natural feeding conditions. But by feeding them
unlimited, high protein, high energy feed, they grow
unnaturally fast and their wing weight seems to outgrow
the strength of the wing to support it. Further proof
that this may be the cause can be found in an article
that said "If their wings start drooping they are put on
a diet of alfalfa; grass or layers pellets (instead of
Chick Growers) until the condition clears up."
The only wild waterfowl populations known to be
affected are those fed by man. In Sweden, ten different
park populations of Canada geese produced angel wing. The
following year one flock was not fed any artificial feed
and there were no angel wing goslings produced.
We suggest not to feed high protein, high energy feed
(such as turkey feed), provide plenty of room for
exercise, keep in small groups, provide plenty of grass
or green feed and keep the pen dark at night if possible
so less eating occurs. If you do notice a twisted wing,
however, you can form a sling to hold the wing in place
to allow proper development.
COCCIDIOSIS.
Cause. Intracellular
parasites&emdash;coccidia&emdash;that live in the
intestines.
Ages affected. All ages, although ducklings are
affected more severely.
Source of infection. Coccidia are found wherever birds
are kept. The life cycle of these protozoans consists of
two phases:
* A dormant form (oocyst) outside the host. This form
is passed in the droppings. Under moist and warm
conditions it reaches its infective stage (sporocyst)
within 1&endash;2 days.
* The multiplication stage within the host. Once the
sporocyst is eaten by the bird, it hatches, penetrates,
develops and multiplies within the intestinal cells. The
organism reaches its final developmental stage (the
oocyst) within 4&endash;10 days and is passed in the
droppings. As the sporocyst is resistant to most common
disinfectants, low temperature and dry environments,
ducks can be at risk of infection all year round. This is
particularly true where young ducks are kept in large
numbers on the ground. Under this type of husbandry
outbreaks can occur, causing sudden and serious losses.
With low stocking densities, low levels of infection
probably occur in most ducks due to the occasional
ingestion of a sporocyst dropoped by wild birds. Under
normal circumstances this low level of infection is
self-limiting, clinically non-apparent and eventually
leads to immunity.
Signs. Signs of infection vary and depend on
the number of sporocysts ingested, the species of
coccidia, age of the ducks and previous exposure to
infection. In young ducklings (1&endash;8 weeks) sudden
death may be the only manifestation of the disease.
Mortalities may drag on for weeks with a few ducklings
being found dead each day. More commonly, however,
outbreaks are acute and last between 1&endash;2 weeks if
untreated. Early signs may be present and include a
tucked-up appearance, blood-stained vent, blood-tinged
diarrhoea, and the inability to stand. In older flocks
sub-optimal weight gain may be the only expression of the
disease.
Diagnosis. Of the 13 species of coccidia
reported from domestic and wild ducks only a few have
been properly described and identified. Not all 13
species are pathogenic (disease-causing), and a 30
definitive diagnosis of coccidiosis as a cause of
mortality or morbidity requires the finding of lesions in
the intestines (these are greyish white circular spots
and/or haemorrhages) and the microscopic examination of
both the intestinal contents and wall scrapings for the
various developmental stages of coccidia.
Treatment. To achieve satisfactory results
ducks must be treated quickly. The drugs can be given in
the feed or drinking water. It is better to put the
medication in the drinking water, as ducks with
coccidiosis tend to eat less. Various sulphonamides can
be used. These drugs should be used in conjunction with
vitamins K, A and B complex. The vitamins help in the
control of intestinal bleeding and the regeneration of
the damaged lining of the intestines. The sulphonamides
should not be given over prolonged periods. The best
results can be achieved by a 3-2-3 schedule (3 days
medication, 2 days fresh unmedicated water and 3 days of
repeat treatment). Of the sulphonamides, sulphadimidine
given at 3 to 6 g per 10 ducks per day on the 3-2-3 basis
is very successful. Control and prevention. Use good
hygiene and a low stocking density. If you have had
coccidiosis on your property, give low levels of
sulphaquinoxaline (125 g/t feed) plus a multivitamin
supplement for the first 8 weeks of life to keep the
problem at bay. Alternatively, raising young ducklings
off the ground can effectively prevent infection,
especially if you have a high stocking rate and you do
not wish to use medication continuously. Micriquinox is
the medicine most regularly available in the UK
Feeding and
Waterfowl
Much has been written on how best to feed waterfowl
and indeed perhaps too much and I am often asked how best
to look after feeding stock.
Waterfowl generally get unfortunately classed as
poultry and get fed accordingly.Although I keep both I
try to feed waterfowl slightly differently.
Most important as with all stock, is the first 6 / 8
weeks.Ducks and geese grow at a much faster rate than
chickens and therefore have a greater nutritional
requirement early on. This is best achieved with a
propriety starter crumbs of at least 18 % protein.With
geese and heavy ducks I supplement this with extra
protein and vitamins using fish meal brewers yeast and
vitamin supplements ( for goats !) Lack of development in
the first few weeks is almost impossible to rectify
later. A word of caution however is to be careful of
chick starter crumbs as some of the additives used
(coccidistats) can be toxic to waterfowl who are
generally susceptible to additive chemicals. Be
persistent and ask feed companies which coccidistat they
are using this season, someone in the feed mill will know
the answer.
After the first 6 / 8 weeks I slowly change over to
growers ration.I prefer to use a poultry grower without
any medicants. Despite opinions to the contrary I have
successfully used growers rations without coccidiosis for
many years without any losses in poultry...even though
all my stock are range reared. I also like to supplement
rations with grass meal. This is an exceptional source of
many vitamins and minerals and also beneficial for
feather quality.Palatability is reduced if more than 5 %
grass meal is included in any ration.
From about 8 weeks I start to introduce a proportion
of cereals in to the growers ration but being careful not
to add too much as the vitamin /mineral balance can be
upset. I adjust this by addition of a mineral
supplement.
I continue with this ration until about November when
I switch to a complete wheat diet as I like to over
winter my waterfowl lean and mean so that they don't get
too fat. Whilst birds for showing are separated and fed
differently.Six weeks before I want to start collecting
eggs for breeding I switch to a good quality waterfowl
breeders pellet to encourage fertility and hatchability.
This system had worked successfully for me over many
seasons .
Colin Murton
POISONS AND
TOXINS
Plant poisons ;
Numerous poisonous plants, chemicals and metals can
cause nervous signs in free-range ducks when eaten in
sufficient quantity. The presence of a poisonous plant
does not necessarily mean that poisoning by that
particular plant has occurred. Normally ducks
discriminate against most poisonous plants, provided they
are fed a well-balanced ration or have access to other
greenfeed. Accidental ingestion of the odd poisonous seed
and leaf ordinarily does not produce any adverse
reactions. Only when the poisonous plant becomes a
substantial part of the diet, or when minute quantities
are consumed regularly over a long time, may signs be
evident. The amount of plant material that will produce
signs of poisoning depends to a large degree on the
nature of the toxic principle, the part of the plant
ingested and its stage of growth, soil and weather
conditions and the general health of the flock.
Chemical poisons
Lead. Some commercial preparations of lead that
were used in paints and garden sprays, as well as
metallic lead in the form of spent shot, can cause leg
paralysis and a green-stained vent.
Phosphorus. The yellow phosphorus used in bait
for rodents and also in matches and fireworks can be
poisonous to ducks if enough is consumed. Signs include
depression, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, muscular
weakness, paralysis, coma and death.
Antifreeze solutions (ethylene glycol). Ducks
gaining access to this chemical may consume large amounts
it is sweet and sugary tasting thus irresistable,
resulting in depression, muscle weakness and death.It is
also poisonous to cats/rats/foxes and other mammals.
Diazinon. This is an insecticide normally used
on sheep, pigs and chicken runs. It is highly toxic to
ducks. Signs of poisoning include inability to stand,
tremors of the head and neck, and eventually death within
24 hours of exposure.
Salt. Four to six grams
of salt can be fatal to growing ducks. Signs include
great thirst, diarrhoea, weakness, partial paralysis and
intermittent muscular spasms.
Medications. Any medication can cause losses
and side effects when applied wrongly. Ducklings are
particularly susceptible to nitrofurazone and
furazolidone, and levels above 0.01 per cent can produce
paralysis and other nervous signs. A characteristic of
furazolidone poisoning is that birds have convulsions
when forced to move. If sulphonamide compounds are given
in excessive amounts or over periods longer than
prescribed they will cause a stiff gait as well as other
signs.
WORMS
Cause. Ducks can be affected by any of the four
types of worms that infest other domestic poultry
roundworms (Ascaridia spp.); tapeworms; caecal worms
(Heterakis spp.), and hairworms (Capillaria spp.).
Ages affected. All ages are affected, but older
ducks have better resistance to worms than ducklings and
generally show milder effects, if any. Young ducklings
are particularly susceptible, and heavy worm infestations
may kill them or stunt their growth.
Source of infection. The duck can become
infested with worms by eating various insects, slugs or
earthworms that may harbour stages of each parasite, or
by eating worm eggs passed in the droppings of other
birds. Worm eggs hatch in various sections of the gut.
They reach maturity in 21&endash;100 days. During this
period the immature stages can penetrate various organs.
Some of the roundworm larvae can find their way into the
bloodstream and thence to the liver or lungs, where they
can cause damage.
Clinical signs. These vary enormously and will
depend on the type of worms, degree of infestation and
the age of the birds. Birds heavily infested with
roundworms or hairworms may die suddenly. This often
happens when large numbers of immature roundworms migrate
through essential body organs .However birds more often
do not die suddenly but develop poorly, become weak and
eventually die. With heavy roundworm or hairworm
infestation ducks almost always have a diarrhoea that can
range from frothy yellow to blood-tinged. Occasionally
they develop an unsteady gait and paralysis. With heavy
tapeworm and caecal worm infestation ducks sometimes have
diarrhoea, but often just show poor weight gain and a
drop in egg production.
Diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made instantly
if there are a large number of worms in the intestines at
post-mortem. Alternatively, intestinal scrapings or
samples from fresh droppings can be examined under a
microscope.**A home test is to put fresh droppings in a
jam jar add water...worms swim out...ugh!**
Treatment. There are two approaches to worm
treatment: * the use of broad-spectrum chemicals that are
effective against the major groups of worms * the use of
narrow-spectrum chemicals that are effective against a
particular type of worm A good broad-spectrum treatment
can be achieved by the use of levamisole(sheep wormer).
This chemical is effective against both mature and
immature stages of roundworms, caecal worms and
hairworms. For the treatment of roundworms exclusively,
the various piperazine-based compounds are highly
effective, provided the dose rate is adequate. If you
need to treat caecal worms and tapeworms you can use
phenothiazine and mansonil respectively. The drug
dibutyltin-dilaurate is also effective against tapeworms,
but it can cause a 10% drop in egg production.
Control and prevention. None of the chemicals
mentioned earlier is effective against the egg stage of
worms. Ducks run on deep litter or in open range will be
reinfested unless husbandry and management procedures are
directed towards prevention of reinfestation. You can
achieve short-term prevention by repeating treatment of
the whole flock after 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months.
Long-term solutions include various husbandry practices
aimed at lowering the chance and degree of reinfestation.
To minimise or prevent reinfestation with caecal worms,
roundworms and hairworms, you should:
* rotate runs;* worm strategically at danger periods;*
separate ducks of different age groups;* use reasonable
stocking rates;* provide clean pens;