Investigating Animal Cruelty 77 • The cage should be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent diseases and the buildup of feces. Additional recommendations Birds should have veterinary care for routine beak trimming as needed and to check for respiratory and intestinal diseases. Signs of neglect or cruelty Appearance: feathers fluffed up (indicates fever, illness, or that room temperature is too low); thin body (it can hard to tell whether birds are emaciated, but a good indicator is to feel the bird’s breast bone to determine if it is too prominent) Housing conditions: overcrowding (weaker birds bullied and pecked by dominant ones); filthy cage; no fresh water or food Behavior: dullness, minimal responsiveness, disinterest in surroundings, depression; drooped appearance or ”hunched” with feathers fluffed If any of these elements is present, call a veterinarian to examine the animal(s). Chickens/ducks/geese Terminology Chickens Ducks Geese • Female: Hen Duck Goose • Male: Rooster Drake Gander • Young: Chick Duckling Gosling Basic animal care standards • Fresh, clean water should be accessible at all times. • Birds should have commercial chicken/ duck food available at all times. The food should be supplemented with a calcium source (e.g. ground oyster shells) and a small amount of gravel. • Birds should be provided with shelter that protects them from snow, rain, extreme cold, and wind. In the summertime, shade is extremely important because chickens, ducks, and geese can die of heat exhaustion. The shelter must be properly ventilated to minimize ammonia odor; fans can also cool the birds. In the wintertime, the shelter must be kept warm enough (above freezing) to prevent roosters’ combs from becoming frost bitten. Heat lamps are particularly effective. • The shelter should provide the birds with a place to roost and should be cleaned on a regular basis. Additional recommendations • Poultry raised on the ground must be dewormed at least once a year. Additional deworming and checking for lice and mites might be necessary if the birds are housed in close confinement and are not free-range. • Poultry should receive veterinary care as needed. Look for respiratory diseases (eyes seem half shut, breathing sounds raspy or rattling) and for diarrhea. Healthy birds should not have fecal matter matting the feathers around their hindquarters. Mites and lice also migrate around the hindquarters. Signs of neglect or cruelty Appearance: thin body (feel the breastbone to see whether it’s prominent); unkempt feathers (healthy birds keep their feathers clean); frostbitten combs and wattles (red skin under chicken’s chin); feather picking; abrasions caused by overcrowding Housing conditions: overcrowding (this can be fatal for chickens); too hot or too cold Behavior: dullness, minimal responsiveness, disinterest in surroundings, depression; Animal care standards for some common animals
20028HS
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