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In This Issue...

	Virkon S Broad Spectrum Disinfectant
	Aspergillosis (AKA: Farmer’s Lung)
	All About African Geese
	Get to Know Your Predators: Bobcat
	Recommended Reading: Why Ducks Do That
	Reader Poll #23

All About African Geese African Geese were first recognized officially in 1874 and today they come in two varieties: Brown and White. Although some people believe the Brown African Goose is from Africa, it was actually developed when Toulouse and Chinese Swan Geese were crossed. These gentle yet hardy geese are quite docile but become quite vocal when alarmed. Brown African Geese are heavy geese, with males weighing around 20 pounds and females around 18 pounds. They are quite thick set and have large dewlaps. Brown African Geese have black beaks characterized by a large knob that projects forward from the top of the beak. The Brown African Goose has also been described as having a stately appearance. A brown stripe runs down the neck from the top of the head, and the rest of the plumage is colored in various shades of brown, gray, and white. The feet are orange in color, ranging from dark orange to a brownish version. Although Brown African Geese can tolerate cold weather to an extent, the knobs on their beaks are susceptible to frostbite. The information above was obtained from: CentralPets.com Get to Know Your Predators: Bobcat A relative of ours recently discovered a bobcat in their yard, local to CT in the neighboring town of Franklin. Beware! (See photo below) The average weight of a Bobcat can be anywhere from fifteen to thirty pounds (males 20-30 pounds, females 15-25 pounds). Bobcats are solitary animals. Like the fox, they are very adaptable and can live in very close proximity with humans without being detected. If you do come in contact with a bobcat, they can be provoked to attack, so it is best not to confront them. The bobcat preys primarily on rodents and rabbits; however, they are opportunistic hunters and will eat anything just about anything they can find or catch. They have been known to eat eggs, carrion, birds, chickens, ducks, geese, frogs, reptiles and fish. You will need a good fence to keep a bobcat away from your ducks. Bobcats can jump up as high as twelve feet! This means that your ducks must be kept in a secure daytime enclosure with ceiling protection. If you lock up your ducks in a floored barn or house for the night, bobcats are not likely to be an issue for you. A large guard dog can be of assistance if this predator is a known trouble-maker in your area. Recommended Reading* | Ordering information | Why Ducks Do That: 40 Distinctive Duck Behaviors Explained & Photographed By Chuck Petrie Why do ducks make so many different sounds? Why do ducks have much keener vision than humans? Why do different species of ducks have different shapes to their bills? Why do ducks rest in below-freezing weather on frigid ponds? Why do ducks waddle when they walk? Why do ducks have new mates every year, while geese mate for life? Why do ducks migrate at night Why do ducks fly in V formation? Why do ducks molt their feathers and become flightless? Why do ducks lay such large eggs?   * For our full recommended reading list, click here. If you order from Amazon.com by way of our web site, Majestic receives a portion of the proceeds!   Reader Poll #23 Question: What is a good gift to give a waterfowl lover? A Waterfowl Book A Waterfowl Movie Knick-Knack/Figurine Jewelry (charm, etc.) Toy Stuffed Animal Something Else Voting Has Closed. Please see next issue for results. Results of Reader Poll #22 Who won the battle in the Merrie Melodies cartoon Rabbit Seasoning? (Click here for a plot synopsis)   Bugs Bunny 60% Daffy Duck 20% Elmer Fudd 20% It was a Duck-Rabbit Tie 0% It was a Three-Way Draw 0%   Contact Us Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary 17 Barker Road Lebanon, CT 06249 director@majesticwaterfowl.org Our Newsletter The Majestic Monthly is published 12 times per year. Back issues can be obtained online from our Newsletter Archives.

Virkon S Broad Spectrum Disinfectant*

The World's #1 Biosecurity Disinfectant

A highly-effective broad spectrum disinfectant, Virkon S is ideal for use in livestock containment and producer facilities. The powdered pre-mix is recommended for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, equipment and instruments. Virkon S can also be used in aerial disinfection.

	Proven efficacy against viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens
	For use on all non-food contact surfaces
	A low-cost alternative to disease outbreak
	Powder formula dissolves quickly in water
	Mixed with water, solution remains stable for 7 days
	One gallon of solution treats 135 square feet

Information in this article was obtained from:
Farnam Livestock Products

Where to Purchase: QC Supply.

* Special thanks to Sean and Kimmy for telling us about this product!

Protect Yourself: Aspergillosis (Farmer’s Lung)

Aspergillus is a group of molds, which is found everywhere world-wide, especially in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere. Only a few of these moulds can cause illness in humans and animals. Most people are naturally immune and do not develop disease caused by Aspergillus. Diseases caused by Aspergillus are called aspergillosis. The severity of aspergillosis is determined by various factors but one of the most important is the state of the immune system of the person.

Aspergillus Fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus that occurs in outdoor and indoor air, different types of soil and on decaying plant material, compost, wood chips, feathers, bird droppings, hay and crops. Farmer's lung may develop after the inhalation of this fungus.

Farmer’s Lung and The Respiratory System

Farmer’s Lung causes shortness of breath and a feeling of general illness, either in a sudden attack or as a slow, progressive disease. When people with Farmer's Lung can avoid breathing in dust from moldy crops or feed, they seldom have further problems. On the other hand, lengthy exposure can cause permanent lung damage, physical disability, or even death.

Usually, people with Farmer's Lung do not associate their health problem with exposure to moldy hay. Instead, they go to their doctor complaining of breathing problems. It is important to recognize the danger of working with moldy crops and to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of Farmer's Lung. This enables people with symptoms to get medical help before it becomes a serious illness.

Causes

Mold spores which are produced by micro organisms which grow in baled hay, stored grain, or silage with a high moisture content (30 percent) are main causes of Farmer's Lung. They become active when temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit in poorly ventilated areas.

Farmers most often suffer from this disease in winter and early spring when stored hay or grain is used to feed livestock and the molds have had time to develop in closed storage areas. The disease is most common in regions with wet weather at harvest time.

Heavy concentrations of mold spores appear as a dry, white or gray powder in grain or forage. When the feed is moved, billions of these microscopic sized particles become airborne and attach themselves to dust.

These particles pass through the body's natural filtering mechanisms (nose, hair, and throat mucous) and accumulate in the lungs where they can cause an allergic type of pneumonia. Repeated attacks can lead to scarring of lung tissue, which impairs its function. Such tissue damage is permanent.

Are You At Risk?

Farmer's Lung is a risk for adults who breathe dust from moldy hay or other moldy crops. For reasons not completely understood, children rarely develop Farmer's Lung.

The degree of risk depends on the amount of dust that has collected in the person's lungs. There is little danger working with loose hay in an open field. However, the risk increases when farmers or farm workers are breaking open bales of moldy hay or straw inside closed barns or cow sheds. A person can inhale an extremely large amount of dust within a very short time while working indoors.

Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Farmer's Lung vary tremendously. At one extreme, there are the symptoms associated with a sudden attack; at the other extreme, there are the symptoms associated with a slow progressive illness.

The allergic response of the afflicted person depends on the sensitivity of the individual and the amount of moldy dust entering the lungs.

Treatment

For people suffering from acute attacks of Farmer's Lung, the first step in treatment is to avoid further contact with moldy dust. For serious cases, bed rest is recommended and oxygen therapy may be needed to relieve shortness of breath.

Certain medications provide relief from an allergic response during acute attacks and make breathing easier. No cure exists for people who become hypersensitive to moldy dust. Once people become hypersensitive, they remain hypersensitive for years, perhaps for life.

Prevention

There is no simple method to prevent conditions that lead to Farmer's Lung. Steps must be taken to avoid crop spoilage and production of bacterial or mold spores that cause the allergic reaction. Workers must also take precautions to avoid breathing in spores from moldy crops.

The following measures are recommended to prevent the growth of mold spores or limit the damage they can cause:

	Buildings with large amounts of dusty material should be properly ventilated.
	Wet hay, grain, or other crops can be dried at harvest. If possible wet hay should be ensiled. This is the key to stopping mold growth.
	Using mold inhibitors, baling hay, ensiling crops, and harvesting and storing grains at the recommended moisture content, limits mold spore growth. It also maximizes the quality of your feed stuffs.
	Keep the facilities clean. Sweep or power wash occasionally to remove the buildup of dry material on the floor and other surfaces
	During cleaning of barns or stables, dust from moldy crops should be wetted down before being swept to prevent it from becoming airborne.
	Move the work outdoors whenever possible. While this is not usually practical in the case of feeding operations, be sure to open bales that you know are moldy outdoors.
	Avoid dusty work in confined areas. When constructing new farm buildings or modifying older structures, keep facilities as open as possible.
	When you have to work with moldy material, try to keep your distance. If you have to break open a moldy bale, do so with a fork, instead of bending over and using your hands.
	Commonly available disposable respirators for nuisance dusts are not effective against the tiny mold spores.

More Information: The Aspergillus Website