Bumblefoot and lack of exercise among wild and captive-bred falcons testedin the United Arab Emirates

In the 1990s, bumblefoot posed a major health problem to the falcons in the United Arab Emirates. This retrospective study based on statistical field research showed that in captivity wild falcons need a training frequency of twice a day to reduce the bumblefoot morbidity rate. In this context, they responded very well to free flight in aviaries during the molting season. In contrast, captive-bred falcons did not show a highly significant differe nce regarding training frequencies. Wild falcons tested fed with pigeons, b ustards, and ducks suffered significantly less from bumblefoot compared wit h those fed a diet of quail. Apart from the disease-reducing impact of beef and mice, captive-bred falcons tested did not show any significant differe nce regarding the influence of diet on the bumblefoot occurrence.