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The effect of fine granular sand on pododermatitis in captive greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

F Wyss ,
C Wenker ,
S Hoby ,
F von Houwald ,
V Schumacher ,
MG Doherr  and
N Robert
F Wyss*
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Pathology, Länggassstrasse 122, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
C Wenker
Affiliation:
Basel Zoo, Binningerstrasse 40, CH-4054 Basel, Switzerland
S Hoby
Affiliation:
Basel Zoo, Binningerstrasse 40, CH-4054 Basel, Switzerland
F von Houwald
Affiliation:
Basel Zoo, Binningerstrasse 40, CH-4054 Basel, Switzerland
V Schumacher
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Pathology, Länggassstrasse 122, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
MG Doherr
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
N Robert
Affiliation:
Basel Zoo, Binningerstrasse 40, CH-4054 Basel, Switzerland
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: fwyss@vetclinics.uzh.ch
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Abstract

Pododermatitis is a worldwide health and animal welfare problem in captive flamingos (Phoenicopteridae). Since sub-optimal substrate or flooring has been described as a factor in the development of pododermatitis in poultry and raptors, it is also suspected to play a role in flamingo foot health. Small groups of flamingos were separated from the main group in an indoor enclosure with artificial grass carpet and, in earlier years, concrete flooring, with additional fine granular sand in the water basin for the study year. Feet were evaluated before and after the separation. Judged subjectively, foot lesions had shown a general increase in the indoor enclosure in earlier years. In contrast, lesion severity and prevalence, scored in accordance with a standardised protocol, decreased when fine granular sand was provided. Since flamingos were observed mostly standing on sand and as this represented the major differentiating factor between years, it is concluded that fine granular sand is a favourable substrate to maintain, and one that may even lead to an improvement in flamingo foot health.

Keywords

animal welfareflooringfoot problemgreater flamingopododermatitissubstrate
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , February 2014 , pp. 57 - 61
Copyright
© 2014 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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