Veterinary Aspects of Bird of Prey Reproduction.
Captive breeding has contributed to successful restoration of many species of birds of prey. Avicultural techniques pioneered by raptor breeders include double clutching, direct fostering, cross-fostering, hatch and switch, hacking, imprinting male and female falcons for semen collection, and artificial insemination techniques. However, reproductive failure occurs related to management problems, including hygiene measures, food quality issues, breeding flock structure, or individual health issues of breeding birds. These may result in non-egg laying females, low-quality eggs, or infertile eggs caused by male infertility. Veterinary care of breeding collections is extremely important. This article provides an overview of veterinary involvement in raptor breeding projects.
Origin Vets, Goetre Farm, Trelessy Road, Amroth, Nr Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA67 8PT, UK. Electronic address: drtomabailey@gmail.com.
Tom A
TA
Bailey
Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Street 91-93, Giessen 35392, Germany.
Michael
M
Lierz
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D020304:Raptors / Q000502:physiology*
Assisted reproduction; Aviculture; Bird of prey; Falcon; Insemination; Raptor; Reproduction; Veterinary