Angel wing in ducks, & how we wrap to mend it - Pictorial

[cskotek]

Angel wing is when the wing looks like a hitch nickers thumb going 90* away from the body of the bird.
Yours just has its first feathers coming in from the appearance of the photos. Those are primary and secondary flight feathers. They are still full of blood as they grow in. The blood will recede once they are completely in.
Blood feathers can cause a wing to hang down, with a drooping effect. Plenty of outside time with room to to move and exercise the wings will allow them to strengthen the wing muscle and before you know it they tuck and hold their wing normal again.

Thank goodness.... I hope its just what you said.. I dont need another animal that got something wrong... My cat has feline asthma, and my young dog broke its leg. Too much stress! So im going to pray that its nothing.. And they go outside everyday in the yard right by the back door so they cant get lost.

 

[jynxster]

Lower the amount of protien in their feed, I would go with unmedicated chick starter, is typically 14% (or less if you can find it) and maybe even cut whole oats (no additives) . Also wrap gentley with the self adhesive bandage wrap so wont stick to feathers when you remove it. Also dont wrap too many times or will be too heavy for them to carry and lift its wing. I wrapped my goose wing 2 times around and only wrapped the wing, I did not wrap it to the entire body as some do; I think which ever way you feel most comfortable with. I'd check it in 7 days check and if leave off for a few hours and if corrected good, if not wrap again and wait another few days. My goose had it on for two weeks I think, but I did change the wrap one time when I checked it. good luck and Miss Lydia your ducks are soooooo beautiful.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Do not feed whole oats unless you are giving grit as well.

Rolled and crimped oats are easier on young birds.

Wrapping to the body helps hold the wrap in place when they free range and are with other birds who may tug at the wrap. Use as much wrap as it takes to keep it secure. The more often you have to reapply the wrap the longer it will take to correct.

 

[juliect]

You wrap all the way around the wing once and then figure 8 it to the body, correct? How do you wrap if it is in both wings? Wrap wing #1 and then figure 8, then wrap wing #2 and figure 8 it again?

I was never good at arts and crafts.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

On geese you can wrap each wing only if you want and not around the body. Some geese will give you fits keeping the wrap,on, use some medical tape to help hold on the vet wrap, it usually does the trick.

 

[new2ducks]

I just want to thank you for being on here with all your advice! It's very intersting to read all of this, I'm learning so much!

 

[RubberDuckee]

This is great! Many will benefit from this posting!

I must say, I do know from recent experience that the vet wrap (just as you illustrated) does work when corrected early! My hen's wing is as good as new!

Thanks for posting, as I am sure many need pictures to help with this common problem.

 

[juliect]

On geese you can wrap each wing only if you want and not around the body. Some geese will give you fits keeping the wrap,on, use some medical tape to help hold on the vet wrap, it usually does the trick.

Awesome! You just saved my goslings from spending 7-10 days as mummies, wandering around scaring small children.

Thanks!
-Julie

 

[Habibs Hens]

This is an awsome thread tutorial

but wanted to ask my duck is showing sign of AW

but his is where teh wings are not sticking out tooo much but just enough that when he tries to tuck them up they dont go up all the way

both wings are like that so wanted to ask

how would i go about wraping both wings as im not too sure

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

wrap seperately, and then around the body if you feel they arent staying wrapped. Feel free to post a picture, often new feather growth is mistaken as AW.