Can Ducks Swim With Wrapped Wings?

[RidiculousName]

I have a six week old duckling that has angel wing. I've been treating her by wrapping her wings close to her body with vetrap and a chicken harness. I have heard this can put her at a risk of drowning, so I changed my block's run so that it only has water shallow enough for them to stand in. However, I still want them all to be able to enjoy swimming around.

Is preventing swimming necessary when a duck can't use her wings, or am I being overcautious?

 

[Cascadia]

I guess they could be okay? But, if a predator were to come, the duck would not be able to escape as fast, and ducks might use their wings as balance, so I would probably watch the duck for a day in deep water, and see if it is having trouble swimming.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have a six week old duckling that has angel wing. I've been treating her by wrapping her wings close to her body with vetrap and a chicken harness.

Hopefully you haven't also cut protien (or nutrients) as some have misunderstood the cause and done just that.

Hope she stays safe and recovers quickly!

 

[Miss Lydia]

As long as she is in shallow water she is okay. Not sure if what she is wearing would get waterlogged or not but that might present a problem. They use their wings a lot.

 

[Jenbirdee]

No I don't think you are overly cautious. Cautious is good,