11-12 week old Angel Wing Case

[MelanieR]

I just finally realized that the wing deformity that my male mallard has is "Angel Wing." I had thought it was something that was just the way it was or something that he would grow out of. Is it too late for me to wrap up? I don't want to torture him if it won't do any good. He's approximately 11.5 weeks old.

My female flies and he doesn't... can someone also tell me the probable long term outcome for him if it is too late to correct?

[Edited for typo]

 

[QuackedUp]

One of my ducks had angel wing too. The vet wrapped it with that self sticking rubbery wrap stuff. The wing was positiond in the correct place and then wrapped. He said to leave it on for 2 days, take it off for one, then wrap again and leave for for 2 or 3 more days. This wrapping seems to have corrected my duck's wing, but he was younger at the time this occured.

I would give this a try on your duck anyways. My duck wasn't miserable - not happy with the situation, but not miserable. Just make sure not to tape in feathers that are not attached to the wing (body feathers). Also, you will want to wrap around the wing first, and then wrap tape around the base of the wing, connecting to the tape tat goes around the wing. Otherwise, the tape will just slip off. Make sure the tape is sucure and firm so as not to slip at all.

Just like some horses walk funny with leg wraps on, you duck may walk funny for a little bit after you 1st put the wrap on.

I bet you could google the wrapping procedure to understand them better than I can explain.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

You can post a picture, but my guess is his feathers are in and he is too old to be wrapped and treated.

 

[MelanieR]

Here's the best picture I could manage yesterday.

I went ahead and bought tape today... I guess I'll give it a go and hope for the best.

I didn't really want ducks and my dad purchased them for my kids anyway, so now I feel badly for being ignorant about his condition.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Lovely Easter Egger hen you have there.

It is too late for the ducks wing unfortunately. Once the feathers are in completely everything has hardened and is in its permanent spot. Taping at this point won't correct it. Luckily it won't effect living, and you can trim the feathers of they start look ragged or rubbing on things. You just don't want to use a duck with Angel Wing for breeding as they could be predisposed to it and pass it along to off spring.

 

[MelanieR]

Thanks for writing back CelticsOaksFarm. Bummed that I won't be able to fix it but I did get a little bit of relief this afternoon... I saw him fly about 2-3 feet off the ground for about 12 feet. My female mallard can fly around my entire front yard so I'm not sure what his long term outlook will be but glad to know that he has a little chance to "get away" if necessary.

Thanks for the compliment on the EE. She's a doll. My mom and dad bought 4 EEs and the 2 ducks for the kids for Easter. The two ducks were against my wishes, but they seem to think they're chickens so I just call them my little Dickens.

 

[QuackedUp]

Here's the best picture I could manage yesterday.

I went ahead and bought tape today... I guess I'll give it a go and hope for the best.

I didn't really want ducks and my dad purchased them for my kids anyway, so now I feel badly for being ignorant about his condition.

Don't feel bad at all! I ended up with my 3 after a classroom hatching... Not knowing about ducks doesn't seem to protect you from ending up with them. Hehe! After reading various literature, I couldn't (in good conscience) just let them go and expect them to be free. So, I am an "accidental" duck mommy. It has turned out to be such a fun experience though! I am an avid animal lover, but never wanted to own ducks. However, after these last 10 weeks I am finding that having ducks around is WAY MORE entertaining than reality TV! My boyfriend, my dad, and I sit in the evenings and just watch the ducks. It's a pretty funny sight to see. I am sure you have found the same...

 

[MelanieR]

Don't feel bad at all! I ended up with my 3 after a classroom hatching... Not knowing about ducks doesn't seem to protect you from ending up with them. Hehe! After reading various literature, I couldn't (in good conscience) just let them go and expect them to be free. So, I am an "accidental" duck mommy. It has turned out to be such a fun experience though! I am an avid animal lover, but never wanted to own ducks. However, after these last 10 weeks I am finding that having ducks around is WAY MORE entertaining than reality TV! My boyfriend, my dad, and I sit in the evenings and just watch the ducks. It's a pretty funny sight to see. I am sure you have found the same...

Absolutely I have. I enjoy having them (now.) I only wish I had had time to get adjusted to the chickens first. There was just so much to learn with them that by the time I got around to researching about the ducks poor little male was "stuck" like that. They sure are entertaining and I LOVE how they think they are chickens. My husband and I have put them in our pond several times and they climb right back out and run straight back to the chickens.

Silly creatures.

 

[QuackedUp]

Hahaha! That is too funny! Gosh, I guess chickens are lovable creatures aren't they... even if you are a duck! HA!