Nutritional errors...it remains a problem
Let op: this case file can contain shocking images, but unfortunately it is the harsh reality...
Nutritional errors casefile 5
This case describes how nutritional deficiencies, overcrowding and lack of privacy in yellow-billed storks can lead to stress, welfare problems, abnormalities in feathering and reproductive issues.
During a visit to a zoo, I was guided around by the veterinarian who is mainly responsible for the bird department. Numerous problems were discussed.
During the tour, we arrived at the yellow-billed storks. The colleague explained that there were major problems with the reproduction of the yellow-billed storks.
What were my main findings:
- There was overcrowding. This means there was far too little space. As a result, there was also too little space for breeding, due to competition between the storks to find a suitable nesting opportunity. This competition is a source of stress.
- In addition, there was far too little privacy. Visitors could walk almost completely around the enclosure and view the birds from all sides. A lack of privacy can be considered an important cause of welfare problems in both humans and animals.
- On top of that, it was very clear that there were structural nutritional deficiencies. These were expressed in abnormalities in the feathering. Feathers that should be white had become greyish or brownish, and growth disturbances were clearly visible in the cover feathers. These are stripes or bands running perpendicular to the shaft of the feather. These stripes show that, during feather formation, there was continuous stagnation due to nutritional deficiencies. This stagnation is visible through the growth disturbances mentioned.
In short: nutritional deficiencies combined with welfare problems and stress create an accumulation of factors that lead to reproductive problems, make the birds vulnerable to diseases and result in a very poor life expectancy.
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