1. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Chapter 10 Avian Breed Identification and Production Management

2. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Avian Veterinary Terms Avian – veterinary term for a bird Hen – female bird of breeding age Cock – male bird of breeding age

3. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Avian Veterinary Terms Brood – young birds in a nest at one time Clutch – total number of eggs in the nest Chick –newborn bird

4. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Avian Veterinary Terms Juvenile – young bird that has not yet developed feathers Fledgling – young bird that has left the nest but is not eating on its own

5. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Avian Veterinary Terms Weanling – young bird that has left the nest and is feeding on its own Flock or company – a group of birds

6. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. External Anatomical Terms Barb – Individual section that projects from the wing and forms the feather Beak – Hard structure that forms the mouth of a bird Breast –Front area of the chest

7. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. External Anatomical Terms Crown – Top of the head Feather – Similar to hair parts that form the wings and allow flight in certain species

8. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. External Anatomical Terms Primary feathers –Lower feather of the wing that forms the first row Secondary feathers – Upper feathers of the wing that form the second row

9. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. External Anatomical Terms Talon – Claws or nails of the feet Throat –Area below the beak Wing –Formed by feathers on each side of a bird that act as arms

10. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Avian Biology Feathers Beak - used as a mouth 2 limbs with 4 toes - for grasping and climbing A pair of wings

11. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Avian Biology Some birds are Omnivores - eat meat and plant food sources Other species are herbivores - eat plant food sources Avian Digestive Tract - specialized digestive system that breaks down seeds and hard materials

12. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Breeds 28 different orders of birds Thousands of different breeds Each group has different characteristics, behaviors, attitudes, and is unique

13. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Cockatiels Small breed Easy to care for Excellent beginner birds Grey, yellow, orange, and white feathers Friendly Enjoy singing and whistling 10-18 inches in height

14. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Parakeets or Budgerigars Small breed Variety of colors Black bars (lines) over wings, head, and tail feathers Excellent beginner birds Active and learn to talk 8-10 inches in height Tend to have health problems

15. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Finches Small breed Easy to breed and raise Excellent beginner breeding birds Males are vocal and sing 4-5 inches in height

16. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Lovebirds Small breed Variety of bright colors Excellent cage birds More difficult to tame and handle Sing; do not talk 5-6 inches in height

17. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Canaries Small breed Bright solid colors; usually yellow Great singers Very active; need large cages 5-7 inches in height

18. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Conures Medium breed Variety of bright colors Active and playful Enjoy singing 12-14 inches in height

19. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Parrots Medium breeds Variety of colors, sizes, and appearances Active and playful Easy to train to talk and perform tricks Excellent talkers Highly intelligent

20. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Macaws Large breed Variety of bright colors Very trainable Large amounts of space needed Very hardy Smart 15-36 inches in height

21. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Amazons Large breed Talkative and entertaining Cuddly and love human company Variety of bright colors 15-20 inches in height

22. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Cockatoos Large breed Very vocal and tend to scream White colors Easy to train Love humans 15-24 inches in height

23. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Breed Selection Breed behaviors and characteristics Lifespan –The larger the bird the longer the lifespan Cage needs Supplies and environmental needs

24. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Breed Selection Nutritional needs and diets Health care and veterinary needs Cost of bird Common health problems or conditions

25. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Nutrition Birds eat a variety of different foods based on their breeds and sizes Some sources of diets: –Pelleted –Seed –Green foods

26. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Nutrition Fruits and vegetables that are safe for birds include: -Apples- Radishes -Berries- Carrots -Kiwi- Lettuce -Cantaloupe- Green beans -Mango- Peas -Pineapple-Tomatoes -Grapes- Corn -Banana- Broccoli

27. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Behavior Birds are only 1-3 generations removed from the wild Natural normal behaviors are wild habits Do not adapt well to change Normal tendencies to bite, scream, and flap wings

28. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Behavior Pecking order –ranking in a group that determines social status Like being “top bird” and dominant

29. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Behavior Some factors that lead to behavioral problems include: –Over bonding with one person –Prolonged periods alone; absolute confinement –No toys for mental stimulation –Frequent environmental changes

30. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Need for a Routine and Stable Environment Moving the cage to a new location –Bird may stop eating Changing to a new diet –Bird may begin to bite Unfamiliar house guests –Bird may begin screaming for attention

31. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Socialization and Stimulation Birds have an intellect or intelligence of a 5 to 6- year-old child Birds have emotions of a 2-year-old child They need boundaries, guidance, discipline, and teaching to learn positive behaviors

32. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Socialization and Stimulation Training a bird to “step up” and “step down” teaches respect and recognizes the owner as the leader Birds learn by repetition and repeating Need privacy May become territorial

33. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Socialization and Stimulation “Step Up/Down” Training: –Place hand vertically at the bird feet and push hand toward feet as a perch –Say “step up” each time –Can be done with a perch before using a hand –Place down by saying “step down” –Repeat to teach behavior

34. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Vocalization Screaming in the wild—alerts flock of danger and is a way to assert social ranking Screaming in captivity—is an attention seeking behavior

35. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Vocalization Walk away and ignore Reward quiet behavior with praise and attention Cover cage at night and when excessive screaming doesn’t stop DO NOT YELL back at the bird; this is a reward

36. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Biting Biting in the wild–a defensive behavior Biting in captivity—a way to get attention Can lead to further aggression if not handled properly

37. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Biting Handle with caution; can cause serious injuries Use EARTHQUAKE technique—shake hand or perch when attempting to bite; causes a balance check and discourages biting Hold thumb over birds toes if on the hand Say a firm NO every time the bird tries to bite

38. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Feather Picking Attention seeking behavior Stress Physical problem External parasites Should be examined by a vet to rule out disease

39. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Equipment and Housing Needs All birds will require a cage Cage should be wider than they are tall Perches of various heights and widths Nothing toxic should be used for flooring (Newspaper is appropriate) Toys should be provided

40. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Risk Factors: –Feet: talons and claws can cause scratches –Beaks: biting can cause severe damage to hands and fingers –Wings: can flop and injure a person or the bird

41. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Handler Protection: –Gloves: welding gloves –Goggles: eye protection –Ear protection: some large breeds are very vocal and can damage ear drums –Towels: use to confine wings and capture birds from cages

42. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Capture Methods –Two-legged grab –One-legged grab –Over-the-wings grab –Towel restraint

43. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Towel – used to safely confine in the cage Keeps wings from being damaged Helps control the bird Makes bird feel hidden and safe Must use safe grips

44. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Avian Restraint: –Grasp head on each side with a finger on top to control beak –Grasp feet and use both hands to keep wings folded and safe –Do not grasp the chest!

45. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Restraint Holds: –One-handed Small birds Small raptors –Head and neck: mid to large avians –Two legged hold: raptors and large avians

46. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Grooming Preen – self grooming of birds to clean the feathers Spray water or bathe daily Molting – seasonal shedding of feathers Regular nail trims –Cautery unit: burns nail bed and clots blood

47. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Grooming Regular wing clips –Trim flight feathers: adult feathers on the wings –Avoid blood feathers: feathers that are growing and have a blood supply Regular beak trims –Use dremel to grind edges and tip

48. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Grooming Wing Clips

49. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Grooming Beak Trim

50. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Health Care and Maintenance Cage size 1 and ½ times the wingspan Perches where not contaminating food and water sources Toys in bright colors Boredom causes behavior problems

51. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Health Care and Maintenance Clean cages daily Monitor for possible injury-causing items in cage Birds can damage wings and tear nails

52. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Health Care and Maintenance The following items are dangerous to pet birds: - Ceiling fans - Smoking - Teflon cooking utensils - Certain cleaning products - Certain flowers and houseplants - Chocolate, avocado, caffeine, excess salt - Lead or zinc - Pressure treated wood, cedar, wild cherry, some types of oak wood

53. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Health Care and Maintenance Safe wood for perches: –Apple –Maple –Elm –Ash –Peach

54. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding All females lay eggs A male must be present for an egg to be fertile If a male is not present the egg is infertile DNA test – simple test using blood or a feather to determine the gender of a bird Mating occurs several days prior to egg laying

55. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding Incubate – to keep eggs warm until hatched Natural Incubation – allowing male and female to sit on nest until eggs hatch; best method Artificial Incubation – removing eggs from nest and placing in an incubator to hatch

56. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding Incubator – machine that keeps eggs at a constant temperature Incubation times vary from 2-4 weeks, depending on breed Breeding pairs must be mature; usually 1-3 years old Not all pairs will bond and mate

57. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding A nest or nesting box should be placed in the cage Place cage in a warm, quiet, and slightly humid location Provide a light source

58. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding Cover the cage at night Clean the cage daily Do not handle eggs! Monitor chicks during hatching and weigh daily until weaned

59. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding Egg Bound –Condition of a female bird when an egg is not passed through the reproductive tract at a normal rate Can be treated in the early stages Occurs most commonly in small breeds

60. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding SIGNS of Egg Bound: –Abdominal straining –Wide stance with legs –Depression –Loss of appetite –Swollen abdomen –Feathers fluffed –Droppings stuck to vent –Egg noted in vent *vent: area of a bird’s rectum

61. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Common Diseases Most Common Avian Diseases are: –Psittacosis –Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) –Fatty Liver Disease –Knemidokoptes

62. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Psittacosis Also called “parrot fever” and chlamydia Zoonotic disease –In humans it causes severe flu-like symptoms –Children, elderly, and people with a poor immune system are high risk Transmitted in air and by direct contact Birds shed the disease in times of stress

63. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Psittacosis Many birds show no signs and are carriers Diagnosis is through blood testing Prevention is through quarantine of all new birds Avoid keeping birds in close quarters Clean all cages and equipment well

64. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) Contagious and fatal virus Affects beak, feathers, and immune system Transmitted in air, contamination, and by direct contact 2 forms –Acute: occurs short term –Chronic: occurs long term

65. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) Signs of PBFD: –Depression –Diarrhea –Weight loss –Anorexia –Abnormal feather development –Growths and deformities of the beak –Oral lesions –Death

66. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Fatty Liver Disease Also called hepatic lipidosis Large amounts of fat are deposited in the liver Serious condition that can cause death

67. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Fatty Liver Disease Causes: –High fat diet –Nutritional deficiencies –Over-feeding –Hereditary factors –Toxic substances Low fat diet and medications can help if diagnosed early

68. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Fatty Liver Disease Signs of Fatty Liver Disease: –Sudden loss of appetite –Lethargic –Swollen abdomen –Green droppings –Obesity

69. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Knemidokoptes Called “scaly leg and face mites” External parasites that affect skin, beak, and feathers Mites spend entire life cycle on a bird Burrow into top layer of skin Spread through direct contact and contamination Treatment with ivermectin wormers

70. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Knemidokoptes Signs of Knemidokoptes: –White to gray lesions over face, beak, skin, and legs –Itchiness –Feather picking –Feather loss