Angel Wing

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Jonsgrl

Jonsgrl

In the Brooder
5 Years
May 19, 2014
10
1
24
South Carolina
I seen a thread on here before about this issue but, noticed that it is from 2010. I thought I would refresh the thread and see if I can get some clarity on this issue.
I noticed about 2 weeks ago that my 7 week old goose apparently has an "angel wing". I read that their diet could cause this to happen and introducing oyster shells, along with backing off of the starter feed could help correct it. I also read that you could wrap their wing for about a week or 10 days to correct it more successfully as well as changing the diet.
So, my question is...how do you set the wing and wrap it? What do you wrap it with? Do you wrap both wings, like wrap around their belly and back?
I hope this thread doesn't make me sound dumb...this is my first go round with geese and I want make sure I am doing everything I can to keep them healthy and happy!
 
Jonsgrl said:
I seen a thread on here before about this issue but, noticed that it is from 2010. I thought I would refresh the thread and see if I can get some clarity on this issue.
I noticed about 2 weeks ago that my 7 week old goose apparently has an "angel wing". I read that their diet could cause this to happen and introducing oyster shells, along with backing off of the starter feed could help correct it. I also read that you could wrap their wing for about a week or 10 days to correct it more successfully as well as changing the diet.
So, my question is...how do you set the wing and wrap it? What do you wrap it with? Do you wrap both wings, like wrap around their belly and back?
I hope this thread doesn't make me sound dumb...this is my first go round with geese and I want make sure I am doing everything I can to keep them healthy and happy!
Click to expand...
The diet is an never-ending discussion. I´m not convinced myself. With goslings, just tuck the wing that´s twisting outwards under the stronger part of the wing, and you can use vetwrap, or whatever to bind it. Just the wing, no need to wrap the body. However, once the feathers have grown a fair bit, you´re not likely to fix it. I think 7 weeks is a bit doubtful to fix it, but give it a try. Ideally, you do it as soon as you notice it.
 
Livininbrazil, I completely agree. Diet is an easy excuse....but I believe it is genetic, nutritional, and particularly exercise. I do not have problems early in the season when the birds are active...my problems occur in second clutches when it gets hot and they want to sit. I have reduced the incidence by making later hatches exercise more.

Clint
 
Speceider said:
Livininbrazil, I completely agree. Diet is an easy excuse....but I believe it is genetic, nutritional, and particularly exercise. I do not have problems early in the season when the birds are active...my problems occur in second clutches when it gets hot and they want to sit. I have reduced the incidence by making later hatches exercise more.

Clint
Click to expand...
I had a few (I think 4 out of 19) goslings started with the angel wing last year. I wrapped it up quickly, and no more probs when the wrappings came off after 4 days. None of it makes sense to me. Mine free-range in 2 acres, so I don´t think it´s necessarily exercise. They all have the same diet, whatever year it is, all the same stuff, and only some were affected. So, genetical, nutritional, diet, exercise...I´m not convinced on any of these. It should affect them all. But, like the niacin deficiency, only some are affected. No clear anser (typing error, but I had to leave it in!) on it I feel.
 
I agree....it is much more complicated...but the easy answer is too much protein. I have Gil's paper for Muscovies, where he argues it's growth rate....but his selection is for birds with slower growth rate....selection for his system...

Clint
 
Thank You all for the replies :)
I did go out this morning after reading a little more last night and looked at his wing. I tried to tuck it, see how to wrap it, and test his aggressiveness while I messed with it. Good news is he is fairly tame and didn't mind too much what I was doing but, bad news is later as I tried to wrap it he wasn't having it! So, 3 tries, a few bites and a scratch or two later...still not wrapped!
He didn't try to hurt or attack me, which is good, but I was mostly worried I would traumatize him too much the more I messed with him. I guess I will try again another time.
As I was looking at his other wing and comparing them with the female, I wonder if the other wing isn't showing the same sign. It isn't flipped out but it does droop a little rather than tucking up under the big part of the wing....my poor baby. They are both so beautiful that I hate to just leave his wing that way without trying to wrap it for a short time and see what happens!
 
Speceider said:
I agree....it is much more complicated...but the easy answer is too much protein. I have Gil's paper for Muscovies, where he argues it's growth rate....but his selection is for birds with slower growth rate....selection for his system...

Clint
Click to expand...
I don´t believe it´s protein, as mine get grass and cracked corn with the smallest amount of chick crumb mixed in. That´s not a lot of protein. As I said, I can´t fathom it. Now, I´ve never had a problem with my muscovies, and I´ve had more muscovy ducklings than goslings. They all eat the same stuff.
 
Jonsgrl said:
Thank You all for the replies :)
I did go out this morning after reading a little more last night and looked at his wing. I tried to tuck it, see how to wrap it, and test his aggressiveness while I messed with it. Good news is he is fairly tame and didn't mind too much what I was doing but, bad news is later as I tried to wrap it he wasn't having it! So, 3 tries, a few bites and a scratch or two later...still not wrapped!
He didn't try to hurt or attack me, which is good, but I was mostly worried I would traumatize him too much the more I messed with him. I guess I will try again another time.
As I was looking at his other wing and comparing them with the female, I wonder if the other wing isn't showing the same sign. It isn't flipped out but it does droop a little rather than tucking up under the big part of the wing....my poor baby. They are both so beautiful that I hate to just leave his wing that way without trying to wrap it for a short time and see what happens!
Click to expand...
Well it may betoo late anyway. The way I wrapped my goslings is I had them on my knee, facing to my left side, head stuck out to my left, and did the wing. Most times it´s just the one wing, interestingly. Another thing is sometimes wings can droop due to early development, which is due to too much good food. that can be checked by cutting back on the protein. They need loads of grass, not so much processed feed. Just wrap both wings for a bit, this will support the weight, but the angel wing may not stay put now. If it doesn´t, you can just clip the feathers so it doesn´t become too much of a nuisance.
 

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