Pinioning

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Swan Upping

Pinioning is the act of surgically removing one

pinion joint, the joint of a bird's wing
farthest from the body, to prevent flight. Pinioning is often done to waterfowl and poultry. It is not typically done to companion bird species such as parrots. This practice is unnecessary and restricted in many countries.

Procedure

Removing the pinion joint of a bird stops the growth of the

declawing on a cat
.

Apart from the prevention of flight, there is commonly thought to be little long term negative effect from pinioning if performed correctly and at a young age.

amputees.[1]
For these reasons this practice has been prohibited in certain regions and is subject to increasing scrutiny.

Alternatives to pinioning

A non-surgical alternative is

moult
; however, the flight feathers are only replaced once or twice a year, depending on the species. The process of capturing and clipping can cause considerable distress to birds.

Permanent enclosures designed to prevent accidental egress (escape) of birds remove the need for pinioning.

Keeping birds who through natural adaptation or selective breeding have lost the ability to fly removes the need for pinioning; for example, keeping

wild-type mallard
ducks.

Legal status

Pinioning is legally restricted in many countries. In England, if the bird is more than 10 days old its pinioning may only be performed using anaesthetic and, regardless of the bird's age, the procedure is illegal unless performed by a veterinarian. It is also illegal to perform on farmed birds.[4] In Austria pinioning is prohibited based on §5 (Prohibition of cruelty to animals) and §7 (Prohibited interventions performed on animals) of the Animal Protection Act. [5]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-90-481-3649-0
    . Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Grounded: The Pinioning of Captive Birds". 15 October 2012.
  3. ISBN 978-1-60342-969-6
    . Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  4. ^ "The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007".
  5. ^ "Federal Act on the Protection of Animals (Austria) 12 August 2014".
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