Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
worms, capillaria worms, and tapeworms. Signs of a bird affected with internal parasites vary
but can include pasting of the vent, diarrhea, poor or stunted growth, or lack of appetite. The
only sign may be slightly reduced weight at marketing time. Worms can be treated using med-
ications readily purchased at farm stores and veterinary offices.
Nutritional deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies can be a problem in poultry, especially while they are still growing.
Angel wing
Angel wing also is known as crooked or slipped wing and affects geese. The last joint of the
wing becomes twisted, causing the wing feathers to point out rather than lay flat against the
body. Males develop the condition more often than females. Angel wing is caused by an im-
proper diet while the goose is young. Too much protein or too many calories combined with
low vitamin D, vitamin E, and manganese levels prevent the last joint on the wing from devel-
oping properly in relation to the rest of the wing bones. There may be a genetic predisposition
to developing angel wing, and those adults affected with this disease should not be kept for
breeding purposes.
The condition can affect both wings or just one wing, though if only one wing is affected, it
will likely be the left wing. Feeding your geese a proper diet during the growing stage can
prevent the disease. If the disease is caught early in a young, growing goose, the wing can be
wrapped in wide self-adhesive wrap, called
vet wrap
, and the wing secured to the body. A
diet with low protein and calories supplemented with vitamin D, vitamin E, and manganese
should be fed to help the joint develop properly in the affected goose. If the condition is
caught early and the wing is treated, it should grow properly and look normal.
Handling Aggressive Ganders
Ganders raised and imprinted on humans can become aggressive toward humans because they
view humans as rivals for mates. This may happen at about 5 months of age. They will dis-
play dominant signs such as putting their heads down, pointing their bill up, or spreading their
wings out. Sometimes humans that tease or chase geese can provoke this behavior as well. Do
not allow children or immature adults to harass your geese.
If a gander does display such behavior toward you, you will need to confront it immediately
before it becomes a major problem. Step toward the bird. He should back off, but if he does
