Angel Wing Advice Please

[turtlelady627]

I have 26 duckling ranging in ages from 4 wks old all the way to 2-3 months old? Several of them have the beginnings of Angel Wing. I was told when I first purchased the ducklings, to feed unmedicated chick start. So I did. When I noticed the odd protrusion of quills I found this angel wing. I went to my local chain farm store and they told me to feed game feed starter which has a 26% protein content. He said I had been giving too many calories to my ducklings. I let my ducklings free range 7-10 hrs a day? Please advise what I should be feeding them. I wasn't feeding them too much crumbles either. I felt they were eating a lot being loose. Help Please.

**** I have 6 muscovy ducklings, dont seem to have this, a few ancona all within a weeks hatch age) have it and one has it in both wings, then my mixed ducklings (runner, saxony, pekin all within a 2 wks hatch age) seem to have it as well, seems the bigger they are, the worse they have it, (size wise) the more developed the bird itself, the worse they have this condition.****

 

[GitaBooks]

Sorry to hear about this. Thankfully, there is both a cure and a preventative.

Angel wing is caused by a high-calorie, high protein diet (game bird food has lots of protein). It can also be caused by low vitamin D, vitamin E and manganese. One or both wings can be effected.
In young birds you can wrap the wings and bind them to their bodies until it heals, along with changing the diet. Angel wing is not serious, though it will effect their appearance and can lead to early death in adults. They may be unable to fly as well.
Angel wing can also be genetic.
Muscovies eat different foods while foraging then other ducks (they are more carnivorous) which could be why they aren't getting effected.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!