The Fat Bird, Ugly Dog Podcast
The goal of this podcast is to present alternate viewpoints on falconry. Topics covered range from training philosophy, husbandry, and health of birds and bird dogs to conservation and management of raptors, their main prey species, and the respective habitat that they rely on. In addition, I’ll cover-off themes related to hunter ethics, fair chase, and access to public and private land. I’ll outline efforts that falconers can make to contribute to all of these topics of conversation.
The Fat Bird, Ugly Dog Podcast
29. Vickie Joseph on developing a "Raptor Wellness" Program
Vickie and I begin our conversation discussing her "Wellness Program" in recently-trapped birds, which for obvious reasons, the falconer has no medical history and there is the potential that a recently captured raptor is carrying a sub-clinical parasite load, or has a bacterial or viral infection. Vickie starts by classifying types of pathogens that a falconer should be aware of, and describes typical symptoms that may be present and which organ systems are most commonly implicated. We then turn our attention to physical injuries, nutrition deficiencies, and how the stress of capture can exacerbate injury and disease. We then discuss Vickie's three main concerns when it comes to wellness of eyasses, and issues related to nutrition and tethering. We conclude the episode with Vickie's recommendations for annual work-ups for intermewed hawks. Thanks again for tuning into the "Fat Bird, Ugly Dog Podcast, and I hope that you find this episode both interesting and useful.