User:Kit-kat94/sandbox/angel wing
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In extreme cases, the stripped feathers may resemble sickly blue straw protruding from wings. In adult birds the disease is incurable and usually leads to an early death as affected birds are rendered effectively or totally flightless. In young birds wrapping the wing and binding it against the bird's flank, together with feeding the bird a more natural diet, can reverse the damage.Angel wing symptoms include stripped remiges (flight feathers) in the wrist area, or remiges protruding from wings at odd angles. There have been many researches for this disease, and most of the researchers feel that the condition is genetic, but others have proven that it is not a genetic disease. It is a nutritional problem caused by overfeeding and lacking the special nutrients listed above. researches have found that 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.There is some proof that if there wings start to droop, they should be put on a diet until there 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. Some think the condition is caused by other geese pecking and breaking the wing tip,but it seems to be the growing consensuses that it is a nutritional problem due to excess feed. The only wild waterfowl populations known to be effected are those fed by mah. Preventive suggestions:
- do not feed hi-protein/high energy feed such as turkey or gamebird feed)
- provide plenty of room for exercise
- keep in small groups to prevent overcrowding
- provide plenty of grass or green feed such as alfalfa pellets
- keep the pen dark at night 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. There are currently two basic theories concerning the cause of Angel Wing:
- The first involves too much protein and the second involves too many sugars. Angel Wing is not generally observed in waterfowl not residing near humans, and the disease can often be observed in areas where geese or ducks are excessively fed bread. To prevent Angel Wing, waterfowl should not be fed bread, popcorn or other human foodstuffs. Duck seed is an alternative for duck feeders.
- The second theory is that the cause could be genetic, as the same breeding pair can produce several Angel Wing chicks or cygnets over many broods.
As little research has been done on this, it is impossible to favour one theory over the other.
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