indoor birds Flashcards
(7th april)
name the 2 categories of indoor birds
passerine and psittacine
passerine species - 2 examples
canaries and finches
(perching/song birds)
psittacine
parrots, macaws, cockatoos, budgies
(hooked beaks and short necks)
passerine vs psittacine - feet
PASSERINE = ANISOdactyl
(3 toes forward, 1 back)
PSITTACINE = ZYGOdactyl
(2 toes forward, 2 back)
psittacine - diet
predom seed eaters, some specialised feeders e.g. lorikeets - nectar
critical values in birds
- very high metabolic rates
(HR and resp rate) - body temp normal up to 42°C
- passerines up to 2°C higher than other birds
sex determination in birds: 3 ways that birds may express/exhibit sex
sexual dimorphism (distinguishing gender by physical appearance)
sexually monomorphic (males and females look the same EXTERNALLY)
behaviour diffs (males usually more vocal)
sexual dimorphism - define
distinguishing gender by physical appearance
sexual monomorphism - define
males and females look the same EXTERNALLY
examples of 3 species that exhibit sexual dimorphism and how
BUDGIES (cere) - blue males, brown red females
COCKATOOS (iris) - black males, brown females
COCKATIELS - tail feather diffs after first moult
how to determine sex when sexually monomorphic (2 ways - just name them)
endoscopy
DNA analysis of blood/feather pulp
how to determine sex when sexually monomorphic - ENDOSCOPY
what is this?
endoscopy = visual assessment of gonads (inside body - invasive and dangerous - not medically necessary/animal not in danger?)
how to determine sex when sexually monomorphic - DNA ANALYSIS
- of blood/feather pulp
- collection under aseptic conditions to prevent contamination
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
4 factors that can be classed as air quality issues?
- central heating (too warm/dry)
- TEFLON TOXICITY
- smoke
- air freshener/perfumes
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
6 examples
1 no UV exposure
2 air quality issues
3 inapp/lack of perching
4 scary stimuli (e.g. TV, children)
5 small cages w lack of mental/physical stim
6 kept alone/in groups w limited space/resources
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
what constitutes to inapp perching?
all same diameter
plastic (same texture)
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
CONSEQUENCES of small cages w lack of mental/physical stim
obesity and poor fitness
stress related illness
stereotypical behaviours (bar biting?)
pododermatitis (bumblefoot)
self mutilation (picking at skin after feathers)
over bonding (?explain why)
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
SOLUTIONS to small cages w lack of mental/physical stim
toys, enrichment, opportunities to free fly and explore env outside of cage
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
CONSEQUENCES of kept alone/groups w limited space/resources
over-bonding (to owner?)
aggression
stress
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
SOLUTIONS TO kept alone/groups w limited space/resources
- soc interaction
- enrichment
- lots of space/resources and ‘safe places’
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
CONSEQUENCES of no UV exposure
- disorders of calcium metabolism (osteodystropy)
- reduced preening
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
SOLUTIONS for no UV exposure
- artificial full spectrum (UVA-A AND -B)
- COMPLETE DIET
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
CONSEQUENCES of air quality issues
- resp disease
- poor skin/feather condition
- feather plucking
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
SOLUTIONS for air quality issues
- bath/spraying
- adeq vent. but away from draughts
- away from kitchen (teflon)
- air deionisers
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
CONSEQUENCES of ‘scary stimuli’
poor welfare > fear
stress related illness
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
CONSEQUENCES of inappt/lack of perching
nail problems (too long as texture not wearing down?)
pododermatitis (bumblefoot)
beak problems
bumblefoot name
pododermatitis
INADEQUATE HUSBANDRY:
SOLUTIONS for inappt/lack of perching
appt sized natural perches
e.g. branches
varied texture and diameter
indoor bird cages -
what size should they be?
- should be able to extend wings in all directions (MINIMUM)
- additional opps for exercise outside of cage (cage = limited periods only)
indoor bird cages:
their composition - what you want (4 points)
- stainless steel (NOT powder coated > chew bars = zinc toxicity)
- horizontal bars for climbing
- avoid curved designs - maximise space
- easy to clean
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
problems with seed based diets: 4
- variable in quality and nutritional comp
(don’t actually know how much of each e.g. vitamin bird is consuming) - high in fat
- low in nutrients
- bac and fungal contamination common
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
problems with seed based diets:
low in nutrients, which nutrients?
- amino acids
- vit A/E/D
- iodine
- inverse the Ca:P ratio
(should have more Ca, but seed diet gives excess P, excreted from kidneys aswell as Ca - further depleting Ca - further inversing ratio?)
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
alts to seed based diets (4):
- de husked seed
- pulse
- mixed (supplementation)
- formulated
...diets
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
de husked seed diets - pros and cons
(compare to seed diet)
less contamination (why?)
nutritionally poor
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
pulse diets - pros and cons
(compare to seed diet)
- better than seeds (more protein)
- nutrient deficient (esp Ca > Ca:P?)
(- best as supplementary food)
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
MIXED diet - pros and cons
(compare to seed diet)
- hard to get right (balance of nutrients etc.?)
- allows for selective eating/sorting by bird (not ideal)
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
formulated diet
- complete
- nutritionally balanced
- at least 50% f+v
what is hepatic lipidosis?
how can it be avoided?
fat accumulation/fatty deposits in the liver (?)
gradual diet changes (???ask)
specialised feeders:
give an example
+point to note
lorikeets - pollen and nectar
must be made up fresh to avoid bac contam. = prevent food borne illness
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
GRIT
- improves digestibility - no teeth = grit and muscles to grind food in gizzard
- protects GI tract from damage from sharp objects
- source of nutrients e.g. Ca if oyster shell added
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
GRIT - recommended for which birds?
ALL
esp smaller species
may not be necessary on commercial pelleted diets
common problems - brief list
- zinc toxicity
- bumblefoot
- feather plucking
- over-bonding
- hypocalcaemia (low blood Ca)
- hypovitaminosis A (vit A deficiency)
zinc toxicity
- from where?
- signs?
from:
cage
coins
keys etc.
signs:
lethargy
weakness
regurgitation
weight loss
anaemia
more drinking and urinating
neuro. signs
feather plucking
bumblefoot
- name
- explain what it is
- ulcerative pododermatitis
- pressure sores on feet (from standing in same place/position for long)
- can lead to secondary infections/abscesses
bumblefoot
predisposing factors
- obesity
- lack of activity - LAMENESS
- poor perching
- nutritional problems (esp hypovitaminosis A)
- overgrown nails
- poor hygiene (inc. risk of infection)
feather plucking
causes
- breeding related
- behavioural (boredom/stress/poor soc)
- nutritional deficiencies
- improper husbandry (e.g. lack bathing/spraying)
- allergies
- systemic disease (affects multiple body parts/organs/whole body)
- pain
- zinc poisoning
- poor wing clipping
what is systemic disease?
disease that affects multiple body parts/organs/whole body
what can feather plucking lead to?
self mutilation - self inflicted damage by beak to skin/deeper
over-bonding
why/how this occurs
many (all?) birds monogamous and pair-bond for life
absence of mate = intense bonding with owner
over-bonding
problems that may arise (5)
- regurgitation
- frustration
- stress/anxiety
- aggression (e.g. if person is interacting with others and not with bird ??)o
- excessive egg laying
over-bonding
prevention (4)
- share interaction and caring responsibilities equally between members of household
- avoid stroking down length of back
- avoid behaviours such as mouth to beak feeding
- do not positively reinforce courtship behaviours e.g. regurgitation
(just ignore?)
self-bonding
how it arises and the negative effect
with mirrors in cage (e.g. for enrichment) - bird sees as mate
‘mate’ does not mate with bird = frustration
hypocalcaemia
- what is it
- how is it caused in birds
low blood calcium
- Ca metabolism requires VitD
- UV required for conversion of VitD to active form
BUT
- indoor birds:
inadequate UV exposure = less VitD in active form so less Ca metabolised
Ca and VitD deficient diet
hypocalcaemia
signs
- neuro issues (incoordination/twitching/seizures)
- osteodystrophy (bone abnormalities/fractures)
- beak deformities
- repro. issues (egg abnormality, egg binding)
- poor feather quality/plucking
breed that is prone to hypocalcaemia?
African Grey Parrot
hypovitaminosis A
- what is it
- why is it an issue
- VitA deficiency (most common vit def)
- VitA important for health/immune functionh
hypovitaminosis A
where does it affect?
(+ type of cells)
(epithelial cells throughout body)
- resp tract
- repro tract
- urinary tract
hypovitaminosis A
clinical signs
- **nasal discharge
- **periorbital (around eyes) swelling
- abscesses
- sinusitis
- **white plaques around face/in mouth
- conjunctivitis
- **breathing difficulties
- increased urination and drinking
- poor feather qual/feather plucking
- bumblefoot
- recurrent infections
** = most characteristic to hypovitaminosis A???
respiratory disease
causes
air quality issues
e.g.
- dry and warm (central heating)
- air fresheners/perfume
- smoke
- dust
- inadequate vent.
- TEFLON TOXICITY
infectious diseases: name 2
Aspergillosis
Psittacosisnf
infectious diseases: Aspergillosis
- fungal infection
- opportunistic (will make sick when immune system damaged/weakened)
- is everywhere – if bird particularly stressed etc. = clinical illness
- causes: stress, immunosuppression, underlying disease, poor husbandry, nutritional deficiencies
tweak these so more digestible as they’re basically copy pasted from ppt
infectious diseases: Psittacosis
- Chlamydophila psittacii
- Zoonotic
- Stress trigger = clinical illness
- Carrier birds esp. budgies, cockatiels (wild birds)
tweak these so more digestible as they’re basically copy pasted from ppt
identification methods:
- ringing (left - F, right - M)
- microchipping
- ??DNA profiling (sexing)
- tattooing
- rubber stamping
- photographing
ringing
2 uses
1) identification
2) male = right leg
female = left leg
identification methods - 4 reasons why
- identifying breeding pair
- recognise offspring from particular parents
- trace origin/supplier
- trace/prove ownership
wing clipping - problems associated with
- feather plucking
- delayed moult
- stress
- injury
wing clipping - procedure (5)
- BILATERAL (not unilateral - may able to take off but will crash)
- sharp sterile scissors to cut primary feathers
- NEVER cut blood feathers (actively growing)
- flight test clip another if flies >7.5m)
- flight still poss (warn owner)
wing clipping - 2 alternatives
training
harnesses
claw and beak trimming - reasons
((normally kept in shape by mechanical action))
- overgrowth (nut. def., liver disease, inadequate husbandry)
- malocclusion (congenital - birth or trauma)
- infectious disease
- fractures
- perching issues (?? research why)
