Avian Cards

Question 1

Explain 3 possible causes of feather plucking in birds.

Answer 1

• Stress due to inappropriate social grouping
• Boredom due to a lack of enrichment
• Parasites which can cause itching which can lead to overgrooming

Question 2

Describe how a bird’s skeletal system is adapted to flight.

Answer 2

• Fusion of bones for strength
• Less bones than mammals & reptiles to be more lightweight
• Keeled breastbone to anchor wing muscles
• Hollow bones which are also lightweight
• Hollow bones contain cross walls to provide strength

Question 3

Define the term ‘soft bill’.

Answer 3

• A bird whose beak is designed to eat soft foods

Question 4

Explain 3 ways that season can trigger breeding in birds.

Answer 4

• Increased day length as light stimulates the production of reproductive hormones
• Decreased temperature causes migration to more favourable climates
• The increased temperature in more favourable climates creates a better chance of survival of the eggs / young

Question 5

State 4 signs of Newcastle disease in an avian species.

Answer 5

• Respiratory distress
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Depression

Question 6

State 4 reasons for using a naturalistic approach to enrichment for an avian species.

Answer 6

• It promotes natural behaviours
• It simulates an animal’s natural environment
• It increases the use of available space
• It can be pleasing to look at for members of the public

Question 7

State 1 factor that should be considered before breeding birds in captivity & describe 2 reasons for this.

Answer 7

• The space-holding capacity of the current enclosure to avoid overcrowding & competition

Question 8

State the purpose of the gizzard in birds.

Answer 8

• Crushes & grinds food via mechanical breakdown

Question 9

Explain 3 benefits of enrichment for avian species.

Answer 9

• Reduced stereotypical behaviour
• Can increase feeding times
• Encourages natural behaviours

Question 10

Explain 2 factors that need to be considered before feeding birds.

Answer 10

• The equipment needed for the preparation of food.
• Meeting the dietary requirements of the bird being fed, i.e., providing meat for carnivores & fruit for frugivores

Question 11

Explain 2 methods that could be used to prevent the spread of an avian disease outbreak.

Answer 11

• Quarantine to allow any incubating diseases to show their signs & be treated prior to the introduction to an existing flock
• Disinfecting equipment used prior to using it again to kill off any pathogens it may be carrying

Question 12

Explain 2 health related consequences of poor avian husbandry.

Answer 12

• Incorrect nutrition through a poor diet can lead to deficiencies & lower immunity, alongside causing malnutrition
• The incorrect application & usage of cleaning chemicals can cause poisoning which can lead to sickness or death

Question 13

State the purpose of the crop in birds.

Answer 13

• Temporarily stores food

Question 14

Which vitamin & mineral should be added to a commercial chicken farm’s diet to improve eggshell quality?

Answer 14

• Calcium as the mineral to make the eggshells stronger
• Vitamin D as the vitamin to allow for the absorption of the calcium

Question 15

Give 1 reason why outdoor housing could contribute to improving eggshell quality.

Answer 15

• Exposure to sunlight, therefore access to natural vitamin D

Question 16

State 4 considerations when creating a breeding plan for captive birds.

Answer 16

• Environmental triggers
• Timings
• Nesting materials
• Pairing birds

Question 17

Explain 3 advantages of housing birds in an outdoor aviary.

Answer 17

• Encourages breeding by exposing the birds to their natural circadian rhythm
• Provides exposure to natural light which ensures that the birds are not deficient in vitamin D
• Provides access to insects which allows the birds to show natural foraging behaviours

Question 18

Explain 1 reason for quarantining newly arrived birds.

Answer 18

• To prevent the potential spread of disease through observing for signs of disease