Below are a few articles I'm sure you will
find interesting.
The articles are excerpted from our newsletters:
Fixing Angel Wing
by Shane Risner
One of the most frustrating things a breeder can have happen is for one of their most prized animals to develop a problem. A problem that seems to be common in waterfowl and seems to happen more so in call ducks than any other kinds of ducks is angel wing. Angel wing is when the wing either droops down or hangs out away from the bird’s body. It usually occurs for three reasons: incubation problems with temperature or humidity, too much protein in a duck’s diet, or inbreeding. This is an awful looking thing for a bird as it does not look normal but there are a couple of easy remedies to help cure the problem but they need to be done as soon as the angel wing is noticed.
The first remedy is to take the bird and wrap duct tape around its body in a firm position so that the wing is held in the normal place. The ligaments in the wing will strengthen and the angel wing should disappear after a couple of weeks.
One other method that has been successful for other breeders requires a little less tape. The breeder take the wing and tapes it in a normal position by taping around the wing in the tucked position. This should allow the ligament to strengthen and cure the angel wing.
If a breeder figures out the problem is too much protein. One of the above methods needs to be paired up with the reduction of protein. The bird needs to go on a green diet with a reduced level of protein. Alfalfa pellets are a good source of greens with low protein.
Putting our Best Foot Forward at Sales
by Sandy Councell
The way sellers and buyers treat or appear to treat animals/birds
at sales can leave a good or bad taste in an observer’s
mouth. MBGBA sales are open to the public. The public, however,
has varying opinions about raising and breeding animals and
birds.
Frequently fair boards that oversee the fairgrounds rented, walk
the fairgrounds reviewing stock to ensure everything meets their
standards. Plus if we took the public and the fair boards out of
the picture, MBGBA has a code of ethics subscribed to in our
constitution that addresses the sale of stock.
Basic husbandry practices can avoid conflict with the public,
fair boards or MBGBA. It is important to note that often what a
breeder does may not be inhumane to a bird/animal, but may be
seen as inhumane by someone else.
For example:
• Carrying a bird by their legs or in a gunnysack may not
hurt the bird, but is offensive to some. Better to use a box or
cage.
• Feed and water may not be essential for animals/birds
health at the sales. However, the MBGBA Seller Registration
“recommends sellers provide all birds and animals with feed
and water containers suitable in size for each box.”
• Soiled cages may not harm animals/birds, but the better
stock looks, the faster it will sell at the highest price.
Bedding and attention to the type of floor used in the cage can
improve appearance.
• Crowding is the number one concern voiced. Give animals /
birds room to move which will allows buyers ample room to view
your stock.
• Remove sick or wounded birds /animals from sales area and
from the public’s view. Birds/animals may be wounded because
of cage design. Padded ceilings often protect birds from injure.
• Birds/animals may be purchased for human consumption
or dog training. Avoid talking in public about such plans.
• Birds/animals should never be killed for any reason
at a sale.
If booth or stock conditions concern you, see an MBGBA director.
Two directors will review the issue. If they are unsatisfied with
the standards or conditions at a seller’s booth, they will
speak directly with the seller and attempt to remedy the
situation.
It is a very rare case when an agreement cannot be reached. In
this case, the seller’s fee will be refunded, and seller asked to leave.
MBGBA Constitution outlines this code of ethics by stating
“members shall subscribe to ethical conduct:
• In breeding practices and care of owned animals.
• Honestly representing animals and birds presented for sale
to sell healthy disease-free stock.
• For obtaining and selling of game, rare, and domestic
birds and animals.
• In business affairs so to instill trust and
satisfaction.”
MBGBA sales have a good reputation with the public, sellers,
buyers and fair boards. It’s up to each of us to maintain
that reputation at each and every sale in each and every booth.
Message
From The Editor:
Photos and articles for
the newsletter are always needed.
Please send to:
Shane Risner, 2849 Gulliford, Lowell, MI. 49331
All photos will be
returned if requested
and stories can be edited if you wish.
Let's
help our editor out. Get involved in your club
and send in an article for the newsletter. Many of our
members could help others with their experiences
and our newsletter would benefit from your efforts.
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with others.
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