Pinioning
Encyclopedia
Pinioning is the act of surgically removing the pinion joint
, the joint of a bird
's wing
farthest from the body, to prevent flight. Pinioning is often done to waterfowl and poultry. It is not typically done to companion bird species such as parrots.
the tail of a terrier
.
The Jubilee Acres farm gives a description of what it is like to pinion a bird's wing:
, though this only lasts until feathers are replaced during the moult
; however the flight feathers are only replaced once every year.
Permanent enclosures designed to prevent accidental egress (escape) of birds remove the need for pinioning.
Keeping birds who through natural adaptation or selective breeding have lost the ability to fly removes the need for pinioning; for example, keeping Indian runner duck
s as opposed to wild-type mallard
ducks.
). Quality of life
for a captive animal is often used to justify modification. In some circumstances if an animal is to be kept in captivity pinioning can increase quality of life. An animal allowed to roam a property and pond likely has a higher quality of life through freedom of movement, allowance for natural behaviors, and increased mental stimulation when compared to penning. Wing clipping can appear to be an equal alternative to pinioning but wing clipping is not always reliable. The moult may occur earlier or later than anticipated. A partially moulted bird may be able to fly away, which does not increase quality of life as captive-raised wild and domestic birds often lack survival skills such as predator avoidance and the ability to navigate back to shelter and safety. (See Thick-billed parrot
reintroduction.) For management of large flocks it may be very difficult for the keeper to identify, catch, and clip each bird.
Joint
A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally.-Classification:...
, the joint of a bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
's wing
Wing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
farthest from the body, to prevent flight. Pinioning is often done to waterfowl and poultry. It is not typically done to companion bird species such as parrots.
The act of pinioning
Removing the pinion joint of a bird is anatomically similar to removing a person's hand at the wrist. This removes the primary feathers, preventing the acceleration required for flight. Pinioning may be done by a veterinarian or by a trained breeder, and is similar to other forms of modification of domestically raised animals, such as dockingDocking
Docking may refer to:* for ships, the use of a Dock, e.g. mooring or drydocking.* Spacecraft docking, the process of joining one spacecraft or space station module to another.* Docking , the practice of trimming the tail of an animal....
the tail of a terrier
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
.
The Jubilee Acres farm gives a description of what it is like to pinion a bird's wing:
"We use a sharp pair of docking scissors. You take one wing (we do the same one on all birds). Extend the wing; on the end of the wing there is a joint. There are two pieces of wing attached at this joint. One piece is very small and the other a lot bigger. You need to cut off the larger piece at the joint, leaving the smaller piece . We cauterizeCauterizeCauterize was an alternative rock band from Canada, active from 1995 to 2007.In 2003, Cauterize’s first single Something Beautiful was released, with its only music video, was broadcast on the web site muchloud.com...
all cuts as that stops any bleeding and the birds recover much faster."
"We pinion our Egyptian Geese - otherwise they would not stick around very long. It is best to do this before they are four days old. We have done one at a few weeks of age but it is more stressful on the bird and they tend to bleed more and definitely need to be cauterized."
Alternatives to pinioning
A non-surgical alternative is clipping the flight feathersWing clipping
Wing clipping is the process of trimming a bird's primary flight feathers so that it is no longer fully flighted.-Technique:Wing clipping is usually performed by avian veterinarians, pet store employees, breeders, or the birds' owners themselves. It is generally carried out on pet birds,...
, though this only lasts until feathers are replaced during the moult
Moult
In biology, moulting or molting , also known as sloughing, shedding, or for some species, ecdysis, is the manner in which an animal routinely casts off a part of its body , either at specific times of year, or at specific points in its life cycle.Moulting can involve the epidermis , pelage...
; however the flight feathers are only replaced once every year.
Permanent enclosures designed to prevent accidental egress (escape) of birds remove the need for pinioning.
Keeping birds who through natural adaptation or selective breeding have lost the ability to fly removes the need for pinioning; for example, keeping Indian runner duck
Indian Runner Duck
Indian Runners are an unusual breed of domestic duck. They stand erect like penguins and, rather than waddling, they run. The females usually lay about 150 – 200 eggs a year or more, depending whether they are from exhibition or utility strains...
s as opposed to wild-type mallard
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
ducks.
Quality of life
The removal of a body part of a captive animal by human beings is an issue of contention (see animal rightsAnimal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
). Quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
for a captive animal is often used to justify modification. In some circumstances if an animal is to be kept in captivity pinioning can increase quality of life. An animal allowed to roam a property and pond likely has a higher quality of life through freedom of movement, allowance for natural behaviors, and increased mental stimulation when compared to penning. Wing clipping can appear to be an equal alternative to pinioning but wing clipping is not always reliable. The moult may occur earlier or later than anticipated. A partially moulted bird may be able to fly away, which does not increase quality of life as captive-raised wild and domestic birds often lack survival skills such as predator avoidance and the ability to navigate back to shelter and safety. (See Thick-billed parrot
Thick-billed Parrot
The Thick-billed Parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha is an endangered, medium-sized, up to 38 cm long, bright green parrot with a large black bill and a red forecrown, shoulder and thighs...
reintroduction.) For management of large flocks it may be very difficult for the keeper to identify, catch, and clip each bird.
See also
- Wing clippingWing clippingWing clipping is the process of trimming a bird's primary flight feathers so that it is no longer fully flighted.-Technique:Wing clipping is usually performed by avian veterinarians, pet store employees, breeders, or the birds' owners themselves. It is generally carried out on pet birds,...
- Information on pinioning ducks, geese and swans