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 […]

Pal-Mates … weekend web tip

Thinking of their feet. The current Avian Influenza housing/netting restrictions for waterfowl may impact on foot health. Build up of Ammonia from faeces in bedding or bacteria in the soil can contribute to drying of webs, callus formation and Staphylococcus aureus bacterial foot/leg infections. Consideration for foot health actually starts from the moment a duckling […]

Avian Influenza on the Pacific Flyway

In our newfound world of pandemic awareness, it seems not even our feathered friends have been spared from pandemic impacts. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has continued its pre-Covid scourge of our world, with detections on nearly every continent continuing for a number of years. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has been providing […]

Pal-Mates … weekend web tip

We all love eau-de-pond-sludge! That black foul mud that builds up at the bottom of the pond is mostly decaying organic matter; faeces, feathers, uneaten food and rotting plant material. The first we cannot control, unless we keep fewer birds, but with care we can reduce the others. In a planted enclosure or close to […]

Check out our Show Results

Congratulations to Peter Hamill for his beautiful White Call Duck, a worthy Supreme Champion. Waterfowl on the Web 2022

Pal-Mates … weekend web tip

Biosecurity is for life, not just for Christmas.   We all have everyday things to help us up our game. How about using a garden sprayer for wheels? Or a recycled bucket with a lid for foot dips. What tips can you share?  

Don’t wait for next Monday, act now.

England Housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza are being extended and will be in force across England from 00:01 on Monday 7 November 2022. This means that, from this time, it will be a mandatory requirement for all bird keepers across England to keep their birds housed and to follow […]

Pal-Mates … weekend web tip

Netting of enclosures — the times they are a-changing an old song goes… Bird flu isn’t a myth or a conspiracy. The way we keep our birds is going to evolve and netting a waterfowl collection is worth serious thought. Pros • Prevents predation of birds and eggs • Reduces food bill • Reduces disease […]

Pal-Mates … weekend web tip

Many waterfowl are crepuscular in their feeding habits and movements. They favour the ‘gloaming’ – that half light at the beginning and end of the day. It’s a perfect time to sit and appreciate their behaviour. Free-winged birds are most likely to be doing circuits of your aviary at these times. Taking time out to […]

Pal-Mates … weekend web tip

Photographing a duck with an iPad

New bird flu cases are coming up most days. Is there anything that can save your birds if you are infected? Most of East Anglia is subject to a poultry (this includes waterfowl) housing order now, but it is quite likely that other areas will be added if there are more clusters of outbreaks. For […]