5 week old cayuga duckling with bloodied wings

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NHAlison

NHAlison

In the Brooder
Jun 11, 2015
24
0
24
New Hampshire
Hello,
We have a 5-week-old cayuga whose wing tips stick out (angel wing syndrome?).
This morning we noticed that they are now all bloodied and she keeps "grooming" them. We didn't notice any of the others pecking at her, but that's not to say it didn't happen during the night.
Any advice, please. We are going to separate her for a few days, but keep her in sight of the others, keep her "bath" water clean, and perhaps apply antibiotic ointment? Does this sound about right?
As far as the possible angel wings; should this be repaired, or is it just a thing that happens? None of our other ducks have this. We have 6 total (2 cayugas, 4 Khaki Campbells)

Thanks,
Alison
 
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Ouch, poor girl. If she has angel wing you will have to wrap the wings up, and maybe change to food with less protein.. There is a thread about the wrapping somewhere, angel wing doesn't resolve on its own. Clean water is good, about the antibiotics I don't know (is not freely available in my country) but I believe ducks may not have one with painkillers. I'd boil some water, let it cool down and clean the wings and feathers with that

Do you have a picture?
 
I will get a photo later and post it. I noticed that the blood is only on the tips of her wing feathers, which aren't fully developed yet. They are the white "stalks". Sorry, a photo will help more. lol Stand by... Thanks!
 
As feathers come in, the shafts are full of blood, so if a feather is damaged it may bleed.

Sometimes during this wing feather development, the feathers look really odd, kind of turned out, but after a couple of days they align again. I saw this with my Runners.

I am not saying angel wing is not possible, but to me at this point it may not be...

She may herself be reacting to the strange sensation of the feathers coming in. To me, they look like pale blue or white straws at first. I have often thought, "that cannot feel good right now."

Keeping them rinsed off, watching closely for a bit, doing what you are doing sounds reasonable. If and when you can upload a photo, that would be great, and please keep us updated.
hugs.gif
 
@Kroelies I agree with you.

I always caution about not cutting off circulation, so I'll write that again.

I have not had to wrap - but I believe this is a good link you provided, Kroelies.

Do you suppose the skin has become irritated due to some kind of need for additional nutrients? Just thinking out loud. What's her diet like?
 
@Amiga She's still offered crumble feed I bought when I brought them home. I also give them fresh peas and greens (spinach, dandelion greens, kale, etc.), and of course, they root around in their little mud holes they make.

I am obviously no expert, as I am the one asking the questions (LOL), but what do you think of holding off on wrapping for a few days while I keep her separated and clean, with applied antibiotic ointment, so the damage can heal and bit, and then wrap her?
Also, when I do wrap her, I am assuming I need to keep her away from water sources, other than those for drinking, right?
 
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