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Be real careful about feeding your quail and turkey with feeders. We stopped doing that in South Texas a long time ago due to aflatoxins.
Here's some information for you.
"Many species of birds, fish, and mammals can be affected by aflatoxins. Susceptibility to aflatoxins varies among species, and birds appear to be more susceptible than mammals. Toxicosis in wildlife is probably minimal unless animals have access to large amounts of heavily contaminated grain. Recent research, however, indicates small amounts of grain and low levels of contamination may cause mortality of birds such as bobwhite quail. Documentation shows waterfowl and white-tailed deer mortality data associated with consumption of contaminated waste grains; mortality of many others species is suspected.
With the increased interest in feeding wildlife, aflatoxicosis is of greater concern than ever before. Corn contaminated during maturation or storage may cause mortality in wildlife even if the corn is placed in a covered, raised feeder. If feed is disbursed through many of the popular motorized sling feeders, considerable grain may pile up on the ground, where soil contact and/or rain is very likely to provide the right conditions for development of aflatoxin-producing fungi.
It is difficult to document the extent to which wildlife species are affected because wild animals are free roaming and elusive. In many cases, predators and/or scavengers may consume dead or dying animals before the dead animals are found by humans.
Clinical signs of aflatoxicosis vary according to the dose received, the time period of exposure, and species of animal. Toxic effects can be divided into acute, subacute, and chronic categories.
Acute effects reflect severe liver disease. Animals may be anemic and may exhibit difficulty in breathing and convulsions. Sudden death with no clinical signs may occur.
Subacute effects may allow animals to live for a longer period of time. These animals have yellowed eyes, mucous membranes, or yellowed skin along with abnormalities in blood clotting. Bruising, nosebleeds, and hemorrhaging may be observed.
Chronic effects are generally related to impaired liver function. Long-term, low-level consumption of aflatoxins may result in reduced feed efficiency, weight loss, lack of appetite, and increased receptivity to secondary infectious diseases. Lesions may occur on the liver and other organs and fluid may accumulate in the body cavity.
Diagnosis is normally made by measuring aflatoxin levels in grain, body tissues, or fluids. The measurements are taken at a diagnostic laboratory. Handling carcasses of wildlife dying from aflatoxin is not considered a human health risk; however, do not eat these animals or other found dead or dying.
Feeding corn or other grains to wildlife is not recommended. In addition, the risk of spreading diseases or parasites associated with contaminated grain or concentrations of wildlife may be greater than observed. If you feed wildlife for watching or to supplement their nutrition, use clean, USDA-certified feed grains and place them in covered, raised feeders than eliminate moisture and soil contact. Rotate feeder locations and clean feeders frequently to avoid spread of disease and parasites through the fecal matter normally found in large amounts around these areas."
In any case on the lease that I was on we noticed a problem and stopped doing it.
TH
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ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM
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