Angel Wing on this duckling?

[OrphanedDucklings]

Hello,

I have been feeding 4 orphaned Muscovy ducklings since their mom passed away about a month ago, they’re about 8-9 weeks old..and I noticed both of the duckling’s wings were growing outward

from what I’ve been researching, it surely appears to be angel wing correct?

since they’re wild ducks, living in our neighborhood pond/backyard..what can be done? Is it too late to do anything?
I live in Florida, so Muscovy ducks are considered invasive species and wildlife rehabs don’t take them in or euthanize them.

I want them to be fully independent and survive on their own once they’re available to fly, since I don’t want to feed them for the rest of their lives but the new discovery of one having angel wings make it impossible for one of them to be able to fly.


what I’ve been feeding them:
Cracked Corn
Purina Duck Pellets (Crude Protein min 19%)
Oats
and they tend to go eat grass, worms, and flies on their own

 

[416bigbore]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Yes that is the start of AW. Need to start wrapping ASAP to help correct the issue. Lots of great info on the Forum on how to go about it. Please keep us posted, we like to see pics with AW corrected.

 

[OrphanedDucklings]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Yes that is the start of AW. Need to start wrapping ASAP to help correct the issue. Lots of great info on the Forum on how to go about it. Please keep us posted, we like to see pics with AW corrected.

Thank you!

I was hoping it wasn’t AW, dang it

idk what to do, I doubt this wild duckling will stay still and let us put a wrap around it..and it probably won’t stay on for long especially not for 5+ days while he’s out and about

 

[416bigbore]

Here is the info you need to correct it. Two people is much easier then just one trying to wrap the wings. We would hold the duckling wrapped in a large towel snug against our chest and do one wing at a time. Good Luck and please keep us posted.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/angel-wing-treatment.1252014/

 

[Miss Lydia]

It won’t be able to fly with out being treated and it will be food for predators. Any way you can keep it up for less than a week?

 

[OrphanedDucklings]

It won’t be able to fly with out being treated and it will be food for predators. Any way you can keep it up for less than a week?

Keep what up?

My mom and I have decided to try and grab it tomorrow and will try wrapping each wing and hope it stays on for a few days and hopefully that can correct it..hopefully our neighbors don’t report us or think we’re hurting the poor duckling

they are kind of my responsibility now since their mom is gone, I want to see them become fully independent adults

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keeping the duckling up for less than a week? It won't be able to swim while wrapped but usually it's less than a week to get this fixed.

 

[OrphanedDucklings]

Keeping the duckling up for less than a week? It won't be able to swim while wrapped but usually it's less than a week to get this fixed.

Ohhh so take him in for a week?
I don’t know I live in a small townhouse, he’ll probably cry nonstop and be stressed..I doubt taking him in is an option

And him not swimming will suck since all 4 ducklings swim across the lake to be under a tree at night

ahhh this is so stressful, never feed the neighborhood ducks..lesson learned!

 

[OrphanedDucklings]

If anyone sees this again,

Keeping him inside for 5-7 days (basically kidnapping him) is not an option since he’s wild,

Would this alternative have a shot at working?...wrapping him with bandage/sock first thing in the morning and then taking the bandage/sock off when he’s off to sleep at around 8pm Or does he need to be wrapped 24/7 ?

also it might be a traumatic experience for him to get grabbed and forced to be wrapped every single day , he might not want to come around after the 2nd day

 

[Miss Lydia]

He can’t be in water deep enough to swim an float. I guess your other option is to let him be let the flight feathers finish growing in then clip them so he doesn’t catch them on things. And hope he survives with not being able to fly. In south Florida there is a Muscovy rescue.