thoughts_about_bread_and_angel_wing_deformities
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revision | ||
| thoughts_about_bread_and_angel_wing_deformities [2026/03/03 17:39] – administrator | thoughts_about_bread_and_angel_wing_deformities [2026/03/03 18:30] (current) – administrator | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| ===== Introduction ===== | ===== Introduction ===== | ||
| - | Whilst doing a bit of research around this contentious topic, it became quickly apparent that there is no study or paper to find, which conclusively proves that feeding bread to waterfowl is the sole cause for the development of angel wing deformities. Despite this fact, most wildlife and waterfowl experts seem to agree that the overwhelming cause of angel wing is an unhealthily high protein and / or carbohydrate based diet. Unsurprisingly, | + | {{ : |
| On the other hand, we did find a variety of research, which has been undertaken with the aim to establish possible causes for angel wing deformities. Most of the available literature has been produced by using and abusing domestic birds raised for human food production, or by doing questionable feeding trials with captive raised wild bird species. However, we didn’t find any useful research, which has been undertaken to establish the causes for angel wing deformities at the source, meaning in the wild. In this context, please note that the list of research reviewed and used for this blog post is not meant to be exhaustive. | On the other hand, we did find a variety of research, which has been undertaken with the aim to establish possible causes for angel wing deformities. Most of the available literature has been produced by using and abusing domestic birds raised for human food production, or by doing questionable feeding trials with captive raised wild bird species. However, we didn’t find any useful research, which has been undertaken to establish the causes for angel wing deformities at the source, meaning in the wild. In this context, please note that the list of research reviewed and used for this blog post is not meant to be exhaustive. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| The most common factors cited to contribute to the development of angel wing deformities are excessively fast growth in relatively slow growing temperate and tropical species. Overfeeding, | The most common factors cited to contribute to the development of angel wing deformities are excessively fast growth in relatively slow growing temperate and tropical species. Overfeeding, | ||
| - | Incorrect incubation conditions and hatching problems have also been suggested as possible causes. Angel wing has been reported more commonly in geese and swans than in ducks. The possibility of genetic predisposition has also been considered. Domestic breeds, which have been bred for rapid weight gain, appear more susceptible. Males may be more affected than females. The reason for the disproportionate occurrence affecting the left wing is unknown. ((Kreeger, T.J. & Walser, M.M., Carpometacarpal deformity in giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima Delacour), 1984, volume 20, pages 245-248.)) ((Zoological Society of London, London, UK, Kear, J., Notes on the nutrition of young waterfowl, with special reference to slipped-wing, | + | Incorrect incubation conditions and hatching problems have also been suggested as possible causes. Angel wing has been reported more commonly in geese and swans than in ducks. The possibility of genetic predisposition has also been considered. Domestic breeds, which have been bred for rapid weight gain, appear more susceptible. Males may be more affected than females. The reason for the disproportionate occurrence affecting the left wing is unknown. ((Kreeger, T.J. & Walser, M.M., Carpometacarpal deformity in giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima Delacour), 1984, volume 20, pages 245-248)) ((Zoological Society of London, London, UK, Kear, J., Notes on the nutrition of young waterfowl, with special reference to slipped-wing, |
| - | Kear reported that angel wing deformities in wild geese are affected by several factors, including lack of exercise, large flock size, improper feeding, rearing under heat stress because of high ambient temperatures, | + | Kear reported that angel wing deformities in wild geese are affected by several factors, including lack of exercise, large flock size, improper feeding, rearing under heat stress because of high ambient temperatures, |
| - | Similar factors have been found in captive raised greater sandhill cranes. Angel wing deformities were seen in 16% of greater sandhill crane chicks raised on a 24% protein diet with 0.87% sulphur containing amino acids. | + | Similar factors have been found in captive raised greater sandhill cranes. Angel wing deformities were seen in 16% of greater sandhill crane chicks raised on a 24% protein diet with 0.87% sulphur containing amino acids.((T.N. Tully, M.P.C. Lawton & G.M. Dorrenstein (Eds.), Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, UK, 2000, Cranes, Olsen, G.H., pages 215-227)) |
| - | It is important to note that the development of angel wing deformities are only a problem in very young birds, and are not a concern at all later in life. It it is suggested that these deformities can be associated with too rapid growth particularly during the 7 to 28 days old period. They are not seen in parent reared birds in a large enclosure or human reared chicks, which are constantly exercised. | + | It is important to note that the development of angel wing deformities are only a problem in very young birds, and are not a concern at all later in life. It it is suggested that these deformities can be associated with too rapid growth particularly during the 7 to 28 days old period. They are not seen in parent reared birds in a large enclosure or human reared chicks, which are constantly exercised. |
| - | Studies on white roman geese have revealed that parental and genetic factors do play a substantial role in the occurrence of angel wing deformities. | + | |
| - | Recommendations given for hand rearing wild birds in captivity clearly advise to avoid excessive growth rates, particularly of temperate and tropical species. It is advised to restrict the protein level to about 16% to 19%. One should not solely use turkey or chicken grower crumbs, as they do often contain up to 28% protein. If using crumbs with this kind of relatively high protein level, then one has to ensure that the diet also includes substantial amounts of other low protein items, like green foods, such as grass or lettuce. | + | Studies on white roman geese have revealed that parental and genetic factors do play a substantial role in the occurrence of angel wing deformities. ((Lin, M. J., Chang, S. C., Lin, T. Y., Cheng, Y. S., Lee, Y. P., & Fan, Y. K. (2015). Factors Affecting the Incidence of Angel Wing in White Roman Geese: Stocking Density and Genetic Selection. Asian-Australasian journal of animal sciences, 29(6), 901-7)) |
| + | |||
| + | Recommendations given for hand rearing wild birds in captivity clearly advise to avoid excessive growth rates, particularly of temperate and tropical species. It is advised to restrict the protein level to about 16% to 19%. One should not solely use turkey or chicken grower crumbs, as they do often contain up to 28% protein. If using crumbs with this kind of relatively high protein level, then one has to ensure that the diet also includes substantial amounts of other low protein items, like green foods, such as grass or lettuce. | ||
| | | ||
| - | Similar recommendations have been made for rearing sand hill cranes in captivity. Reducing the energy content of the diet (from 2,830 kcal/kg to 2,160 kcal/kg diet) also slowed growth and reduced the development of leg and wing abnormalities. | + | Similar recommendations have been made for rearing sand hill cranes in captivity. Reducing the energy content of the diet (from 2,830 kcal/kg to 2,160 kcal/kg diet) also slowed growth and reduced the development of leg and wing abnormalities. |
| - | Angel wing deformities have been found in wild and captive trumpeter swan, Canada goose, swan goose, Hawaiian goose, Andean goose, Magellan goose, blue-winged goose, Egyptian goose, Indian spotbill, New Zealand grey duck, Pacific black duck, African yellow-bill, | + | Angel wing deformities have been found in wild and captive trumpeter swan, Canada goose, swan goose, Hawaiian goose, Andean goose, Magellan goose, blue-winged goose, Egyptian goose, Indian spotbill, New Zealand grey duck, Pacific black duck, African yellow-bill, |
| - | Interestingly, | + | Interestingly, |
| ===== Contributing Factors ===== | ===== Contributing Factors ===== | ||
| Line 60: | Line 61: | ||
| However, as with many things, there are always two sides of a story. Many people have a romanticised view of nature, and of what it means for animals to live in the wild. They believe nature is some kind of paradise, where animals live happy lives. Also, many people forget that what they know as ‘nature’ is in fact a mostly manmade landscape with fragmented and isolated habitats, which in itself is a big problem. | However, as with many things, there are always two sides of a story. Many people have a romanticised view of nature, and of what it means for animals to live in the wild. They believe nature is some kind of paradise, where animals live happy lives. Also, many people forget that what they know as ‘nature’ is in fact a mostly manmade landscape with fragmented and isolated habitats, which in itself is a big problem. | ||
| - | All our actions have an impact, be it on other humans or on non-human animals. This is also true for feeding wild animals. There are powerful reasons to care for non-human animals, as they are sentient beings, who can experience suffering as humans do. This is why we should be concerned about what happens to them. But we should also be careful and make sure that our actions do not lead to an increase of wild animal suffering. | + | All our actions have an impact, be it on other humans or on non-human animals. This is also true for feeding wild animals. There are powerful reasons to care for non-human animals, as they are sentient beings, who can experience suffering as humans do. This is why we should be concerned about what happens to them. But we should also be careful and make sure that our actions do not lead to an increase of wild animal suffering. |
| It is worth remembering that in certain situations feeding of wild birds may create dependencies, | It is worth remembering that in certain situations feeding of wild birds may create dependencies, | ||
| Line 70: | Line 71: | ||
| Disease transmission is better facilitated under dense population conditions. Habituation of swans, geese and ducks being fed in parks potentially creates further conflict, if for example large geese or swans are defending a nesting female or a brood of goslings or cygnets. Also, supplemental feeding of migrant birds can interfere with normal migration patterns by delaying departure or suspending the behaviour altogether. | Disease transmission is better facilitated under dense population conditions. Habituation of swans, geese and ducks being fed in parks potentially creates further conflict, if for example large geese or swans are defending a nesting female or a brood of goslings or cygnets. Also, supplemental feeding of migrant birds can interfere with normal migration patterns by delaying departure or suspending the behaviour altogether. | ||
| The best solution for waterfowl problems situated around public parks is to minimise uncontrolled excessive supplemental feeding. Feeding a balanced diet will decrease the likelihood of nutritional disorders to occur. However, feeding a balanced diet will not prevent overcrowding, | The best solution for waterfowl problems situated around public parks is to minimise uncontrolled excessive supplemental feeding. Feeding a balanced diet will decrease the likelihood of nutritional disorders to occur. However, feeding a balanced diet will not prevent overcrowding, | ||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | Bibliography | ||
| - | Kreeger, T.J. & Walser, M.M., Carpometacarpal deformity in giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima Delacour), 1984, volume 20, pages 245-248 | ||
| - | Kreeger, T.J. & Walser, M.M., Carpometacarpal deformity in giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima Delacour), 1984, volume 20, pages 245-248. | ||
| - | Zoological Society of London, London, UK, Kear, J., Notes on the nutrition of young waterfowl, with special reference to slipped-wing, | ||
| - | Yeisley, C.L., Surgical correction of valgus carpal deformities in waterfowl, Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, | ||
| - | Zoological Society of London, London, UK, Kear, J., Notes on the nutrition of young waterfowl, with special reference to slipped-wing, | ||
| - | T.N. Tully, M.P.C. Lawton & G.M. Dorrenstein (Eds.), Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, UK, 2000, Cranes, Olsen, G.H., pages 215-227 | ||
| - | Tully, T.N. Jr., Dorrestein, G.M., & Jones, A.K., Saunders, Elsevier Limited., 2009, Cranes, Olsen, G.H. , pages 243-257 | ||
| - | Lin, M. J., Chang, S. C., Lin, T. Y., Cheng, Y. S., Lee, Y. P., & Fan, Y. K. (2015). Factors Affecting the Incidence of Angel Wing in White Roman Geese: Stocking Density and Genetic Selection. Asian-Australasian journal of animal sciences, 29(6), 901-7 | ||
| - | Zoological Society of London, London, UK, Kear, J., Notes on the nutrition of young waterfowl, with special reference to slipped-wing, | ||
| - | B.W. Ritchie, G.J. Harrison & L.R. Harrison, Wingers Publishing Inc., Lake Worth, Fl., 1994, Anseriformes, | ||
| - | ]D. Brown, ABK Publications, | ||
| - | Serafin, J.A. The influence of diet composition upon growth and development of sandhill cranes, 1982, valume 84, pages 427-434 | ||
| - | Bilateral Valgus Deformity of the Distal Wings (Angel Wing) in a Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Petra Zsivanovits, | ||
| - | L. Pitman, Robert & Ballance, Lisa & Bost, Charles. (2012). Incidence of Wing Deformities (‘Angel Wing’) Among Masked Boobies at Clipperton Island: Life History Consequences and Insight into Etiology. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 124. 597-602. 10.2307/ | ||
| - | Helen M. Thompson, Alwyn Fernandes, Martin Rose, Shaun White, Adrian Blackburn, Possible chemical causes of skeletal deformities in grey heron nestlings (Ardea cinerea) in North Nottinghamshire, | ||
| - | Reed, D. H. (2004), Extinction risk in fragmented habitats. Animal Conservation, | ||
thoughts_about_bread_and_angel_wing_deformities.1772555943.txt.gz · Last modified: by administrator