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Friday, June 24, 2011

Have you recently taken a class at FSI?

I recently learned some interesting facts about our friendly feathered guests that live on the campus, the geese, if you wondering what I mean.  Many of the geese suffer from "Angel Wing” which I learned from reading on Wikipedia can be caused by the geese eating too much human food like bread and popcorn...

Angel Wing also known as Slipped Wing, crooked wing, or drooped wing is a disease that affects waterfowl, primarily geese and ducks, in which the last joint of the wing is twisted with the wing feathers pointing out laterally, instead of laying against the body.  Males develop it more than females.  

The disease manifests as an incurable anatomical condition which is acquired in young birds.  Due to a high-calorie diet, especially one high in proteins and/or low in vitamin D, vitamin E and manganese, one or both (wrist) joints are retarded in their development relative to the rest of the wing; for reasons unknown, if only one wing is affected it is usually the left one.  The result is a wrist which is twisted outwards and unable to perform its usual function. 
The only wild waterfowl populations known to be affected are those fed by man.   So, as tempted as you may be to share, save your chips for yourself, you will need them to get you through class!

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