Welfare Assessment of Flight-restrained Captive Birds: Effects of Inhibition of Locomotion

Authors

  • Shawn Jen-Lung Peng School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec.4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei
  • Fang-Chia Chang School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec.4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei
  • Judy Sheng-Ting I Institute of Veterinary, Animal, Biomedical Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North
  • Andrew Chang-Young Fei School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec.4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei

Keywords:

animal welfare, captive birds, electromyography, flight restraint, great mynah, wing amputation

Abstract

Morphological and physiological adaptations have allowed birds to utilize flying as part of the primary locomotion. However, birds in captivity are often deprived of this natural skill due to limited living space or wing
amputation. This article aims to investigate the essentialness of flight and welfare assessment of flight restraint in captive birds, using animal-based measurement. Ten wild-caught great mynahs (Acridotheres grandis) were chosen as test subject and evaluated in three separate studies. In pathology study, bird wings were partially amputated to assess possible neuroma formation at the site of amputation. The birds involved in this study were evaluated on day 20 and day 40 post surgery. We found that wing amputation did not result in neuroma formation. In ethology study,
spatial preference of the captive birds was evaluated by providing cages with different structures. We noticed that the birds indicated higher preference for spaces that were bigger or with higher vertical space with or without food provided. In physiology study, strength of pectoralis muscle was evaluated with electromyography in both wild birds and birds that were flight restrained for 40 days. The results indicated that strength of pectoralis muscle diminished significantly in birds with flight restraint. This research suggested that captive birds were still highly inclined to use
flight as means of locomotion, and provided useful information as to how enclosures of captive birds should be carefully designed for better animal welfare.

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How to Cite

Peng, S. J.-L., Chang, F.-C., I, J. S.-T., & Fei, A. C.-Y. (2013). Welfare Assessment of Flight-restrained Captive Birds: Effects of Inhibition of Locomotion. The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 43(2), 235–241. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjvm/article/view/9647

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Section

Original Articles