Dentist aids National Aviary in quest for better fix for broken beaks.

For birds, a beak injury can be catastrophic. The pointed, hard structures are essential for tasks large and small, such as eating, catching food and grooming feathers. In many ways, a beak is another limb.“They use their beaks for everything,” said Pilar Fish, director of veterinary medicine at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh's North Side. “Beaks are their teeth, their hands, and they help birds get their feathers in place to fly. It's devastating to see a fractured beak and to know it could pop off at any moment.” Fish described the injuries — and the challenges of beak and talon repair — to Dr. Mark Pechersky, a pediatric dentist, when he toured the aviary a few months ago with his wife, Debbie. The aviary reports about five such injuries annually. Fish lamented how she couldn't find a quality adhesive agent to fix fractured beaks and talons. She was using horse hoof acrylics that gave off a nasty smell and took a long time to dry. Pechersky, 69, wanted to help.He hadn't visited the aviary since he was 9 or 10 years old and came away from the visit thoroughly impressed with the aviary and its 500 birds from 150 species. Pechersky offered up a potential solution: pediatric dental bonding materials that dry in less than three minutes, are clear and don't smell. First, they'd have to test out his theory. Birds' beaks are mainly composed of keratin, a protein that provides structure and strength. Pechersky and Fish wanted to learn whether Pechersky's dental materials would secure damaged beaks as they do with kids' teeth. "What we learned together is that, even though beaks are smooth and hard, the dental materials work very well,” Fish said. “That was the most exciting discovery for us. It's nice to have all these different levels of technique available for the birds.” Pechersky followed up by donating dental tools and training Fish on how to make the fixes. He traveled to the aviary for a fourth time to work with Fish on an old skull of a red-tailed hawk. He instructed how to drill, bond and use light-activated dental resins, which dry quickly under the bright blue light of tiny flashlight devices. Fish intentionally broke the beak and then adhered it with dental materials.“This is wonderful,” she said. “If you don't repair a beak well enough then, basically, it can't eat and it may not heal at all.” Fish, who trained as a zoo veterinarian and developed a specialty in birds, has worked with everything from sharks to elephants. “The fragility, the beauty of birds is astonishing along with the diversity of them,” she said. “They are the most fragile patients. To work solely in avian medicine, you have these challenges similar to pediatrics with them being so fragile. Collaborating with the professional community to customize these new procedures is the only way we are going to advance avian medicine.” She always tries to avoid anesthesia with birds unless they are undergoing surgery. “When we only had horse hoof acrylics, they can take 15 minutes to adhere,” Fish said. “You have that bird, and the smell is worse than paint fumes. The fact that this is under three minutes to adhere means we can hold the birds and there is no anesthesia and no pain to get the beaks fixed.” Pechersky, who has been a pediatric dentist for 42 years, happily volunteered his time and services. The next step will be a live beak repair when the opportunity arises. “These dental materials continue to get better and faster and less toxic,” said Pechersky, whose office is in Monroeville. “The new generations of materials don't have fumes and are made for children's mouths. They bond hundreds of times better than the older materials.” Fish has Pechersky on speed-dial for the next emergency. He'll be ready. “This place is incredible; I'm amazed at all the changes from my visit as a child,” he said. “I'm not sure the general public is aware of what a local treasure this is.” Culled from Triblive

DDGS AND POULTRY FEED.

Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) is the result of extracting ethanol from grains through dry milling.The corn kernel, which is a source of food for humans and animals, its also a source of ethanol, a fuel source. Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) offer nutrients and energy, DDGS can be sourced from corn, rice, wheat, sorghum and are highly useful for livestock and poultry. Ethanol producers only use the carbohydrate fraction of the corn kernel. The protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins are returned to the animal food system in the form of distillers’ grains which are fed to beef cows and swine.This results in millions of tons of high protein animal feed and although 40% of the crop is often cited as the amount of corn used for making ethanol . DDGS derived from corn is an excellent feed ingredient for use in layer, broiler, duck and turkey diets and contains approximately 85% of the energy value in corn, has moderate levels of protein and essential amino acids, and is high in available phosphorus. DDGS from corn in the ethanol industry are considered to be waste,(distillers) but can still have a use as a feed ingredient. It is a very cheap source of crude protein, crude fibre, available phosphorous, unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids. This is an effective alternative to soya and corn in the poultry diet with the added benefit that it reduces feed costs by replacing soya in the diet as the price of soya is very high . The inclusion of DDGS in poultry diet has many advantages; birds fed with DDGS have a better feed intake, feed conversion ratio, body weight gain. The DDGS inclusion improves meat and egg quality by enriching it with omega-3 fatty acids (Linoleic acid) which is good for heart patients. There is improved phosphorous availability and therefore there is less phosphorous excretion.This prevents environmental pollution due to high phosphorous bio availability and less exogenous phosphorous is supplemented and this reduces the feed cost.

NEWCASTLE OUTBREAK IN ROMANIA.

Romania has reported an outbreak of Newcastle disease for the first time since 2007. Where over 500 birds died in a flock of laying hens in Bucov, Prahova. Another 1070 birds were destroyed to prevent the outbreak from spreading. Romania's report to the World Organisation for Animal health described the affected farm as 'non-commercial, and said the birds were aged seven and a half months. They were vaccinated at 1 and 3 weeks old with a live attenuated vaccine, administered orally. The country has culled all affected birds and has initiated a surveillance to facilitate tracing and tracking of birds and also institute control measures in cases of outbreak. story courtesy; poultry site.

SIGNS OF BIRD FLU IN MAN.

The bird flu virus has been know to affect man and causing death in some of those affected.The major means of infection is close contact with affected poultry such as handling and processing .The issue of bio security on farms can not be over emphasized, the use of foot dips,tyre dips and hand washing with stipulated disinfectants are essential for safety.The procurement of healthy birds from reliable sources is also vital in the biosecurity protocol. The incubation period is usually 3-7 days after contact with infected poultry. Signs include;A sudden high temperature of 38C or above,a dry, chesty cough, headache, tiredness,inappetence, sore throat, runny nose, muscle and joint pain, stomach upset, diarrhoea and sore throat. The other signs include pneumonia, respiratory distress which is followed by multiple organ failure resulting in death. Prevention; 1) wash hands after handling poultry. 2) avoid contact with wild birds. read more

VETERINARY MEDICINE : HOW TO START A BEAUTIFUL PARK.

VETERINARY MEDICINE : HOW TO START A BEAUTIFUL PARK. Thinking of something new,fresh and exciting?? look no further.This is a proposed park layout, feast your eyes.

HOW TO CREATE WEALTH WITH RECREATIONAL PARK..

       HOW TO CREATE WEALTH WITH RECREATIONAL PARK.

 HOW TO CREATE WEALTH WITH RECREATIONAL PARK. Creating wealth and having fun just got super-easy. You can start a recreational park that will your own money machine.

You can actually start printing your own money by establishing a resort.I bet you will love to have a mini park,that is a leisure spot and your personal A.T.M.

The park can be fashioned to your taste and specification,but the bottom-line is you will generate revenue both locally and internationally.The goal is not to keep wild animals but to keep cute,lovely urban-friendly animals.

 The park will be structured per taste and specification with various units that will attract different classes of people.







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AGRIBUSINESS: THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF RUNNING A PARK.

AGRIBUSINESS: THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF RUNNING A PARK. The era of wishing to go on a safari/ bird expedition is over, as you can own one right now.The experience of waking up to birdy calls,chirps can only be experienced to fully grasp the feeling.Growing up,and traveling to visit historic places and grannies did take its toll on me,but looking back the experience was priceless. The re-creation of that experience is possible in the city,and yes you can make money from the venture. AGRIBUSINESS: THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF RUNNING A PARK. The park could be personal,just for you and your family or on a large scale,where you open to the public and make money. The personal bird park, has therapeutic effects on the young and old.The setting brings you closer to nature,you walk around different pens,observe different birds and even bond with these creatures. This is a good retirement venture; clear a portion in your yard/if you have a lawn,then you can start something to keep you alert and active. The commercial venture will require more space; hence a large expanse of land is required.The types of species kept depends on your financial capacity,targeted audience and of course your management protocols. AGRIBUSINESS: THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF RUNNING A PARK. The potential of the commercial parks are enormous,aside normal sight seeing by tourists,the educational advantage cant be ignored.The park can give scheduled educational tours to school children for a token.The kids can come to park to learn ,observe some of the birds/other animals they have been taught in school.The park will be an ideal fun zone for children and adults. The park will also be an entertainment zone,where you can take rare pictures,shoot musical videos or even shoot certain scenes of films.The park can house other animals aside birds,depending on your market,the profit from this venture is enormous,much more than i have highlighted. Interested??? send me a mail,and start raking in cool cash.The park could be set up in,using various models and attachment; making every project unique. Imagine waking up to this everyday;

AGRIBUSINESS: THE ROLE OF WATER IN POULTRY VALUE CHAIN.

AGRIBUSINESS: THE ROLE OF WATER IN POULTRY VALUE CHAIN. Water though a common commodity,its role in the success of the poultry value chain is very significant. Water is used in various capacities and at various levels. The bio security protocols involve water,for mixing,dilutions of chemicals and washing tools and implements. AGRIBUSINESS: THE ROLE OF WATER IN POULTRY VALUE CHAIN. WATER AS A PERFORMANCE INDICATOR IN POULTRY; 1)water is the most effective administration vehicle for drugs and vitamins. 2) water is a diluent for some vaccines to confer immunity on birds. 3)water is necessary for digestion, a chicken requires twice the amount of water to utilize every kg of feed. 4) water essential for metabolism,fecal elimination and temperature regulation. 5) The egg is about 65% water. 6) The chicken body weight is between 60-75% water depending on age and sex. Water is key to proper growth and development,if birds are deprived of water they go into a moulting stage.This can be used to prolong laying period if properly controlled.Impurities and chemicals in water can cause severe mortalities. AGRIBUSINESS: THE ROLE OF WATER IN POULTRY VALUE CHAIN. The availability of water is essential as it can make or mar project.Ensure regular supply of clean,fresh and cool water.

ZOO VET; ENSURING ANIMAL HEALTH.