Swans killed in Essex
As waterfowl lovers, it is hard to understand why anyone takes pleasure harming these beautiful creatures. Large, close and slow moving, they could not even be described as ‘sporting’ targets. Following catapult attacks on four Mute Swans early in the new year, 2 firms with local connections have each offered £1000 for information leading to […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
What’s in a name — Maned Duck or Maned Goose? Life is a gradient of relatedness and what taxonomy tries to do is put it in that order. When the common names were thought up for waterfowl they were either called a duck or a goose according to how we traditionally recognised each — ‘ducks’ […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
UK Breeds at Risk. Where do you stand if your collection succumbs to bird flu? Geese Brecon Buff Buff Back Chinese Embden Greyback Pilgrim Roman Sebastopol Shetland Steinbacher Toulouse (British standard) West of England Ducks Abacot Ranger Aylesbury Cayuga Orpington Pekin Rouen Shetland Duck APHA tells us that each outbreak is examined individually, but […]
Online Reporting Service for Dead Wild Birds
Defra has launched a new online reporting system to be used by the public to report dead wild birds in Great Britain, as part of the Government response to the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. The new online system will be available to use 24/7, making is simpler and quicker for the public to report dead […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
Many of our northern species are well adapted to the cold, but some from warmer parts of the world will appreciate shelter and dry bedding. Giving them the opportunity to stand off frozen ground will protect their feet. However you source your straw, it’s vital to keep it covered and protected from wild bird droppings […]
Housing requirements
We are about to see weather challenges across large parts of the country. Wet snow particularly can bring net and poles down. Maintaining biosecurity whatever the weather is still a priority. Since the Housing Order was introduced for Wales on 2nd December, the Declaration for that nation has now been amended to include notes bringing […]
Member Webinar, Monday 5th December at 7pm
Since the housing orders imposed last month, most bird keepers are now obliged to complete a biosecurity checklist. In England, there is also a requirment to consult with your private vet if you are not housing all your birds, this should have been done by 21st November. Tomorrow evening, members have the opportunity to attend […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
With many birds being housed due to the bird flu restrictions, it is still important that we allow them to bathe and give them water deep enough to submerge their heads. Clean bathing water is essential for good health. Keep water containers as far way from bedding areas as possible, to help keep them clean […]
Housing measures now apply to Northern Ireland and from Friday also to Wales
The requirement to house our birds was announced for Northern Ireland today. On Friday 2nd December it will also apply to Wales. The details of these housing orders are broadly similar to those in force in England. Full specific details can be found for each administration: https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-aipz-including-housing-measures-the-whole-of-england https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/avian-housing-order-introduced-ni https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu-latest-update The ability to keep waterfowl under […]
Pal-Mates … weekend web tip
Breed Type in White birds. Breed Type is a term used in exhibition birds to describe the general shape or form of the bird that typifies the breed. Most points (out of 100) are awarded for the different components that characterise Breed Type. On the show circuit, white birds are definitely more popular than other […]
