Angel wings

[Rstine]

I am about to hatch out a batch of ducklings. The first (and last) time I did this I got 1 with a serious case of angels wings. I was told at the time it was due to the food. I was giving the ducks chick starter. Is there something I can do this time around to keep this from happening?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I've only had 1 duckling develop angel wing out of many I've hatched. It was a Muscovy drake, and he was fed a formulated waterfowl feed. His wing issue was corrected with wrapping, but since then, I've taken preventative measures by decreasing the protein in their feed at 3 weeks old by adding rolled oats and haven't had a repeat of the condition. There are a number of theories about what causes it - you may find this thread helpful.

If you're feeding chick starter, you're also adding niacin, right? I sprinkle nutritional yeast on the ducklings' feed to provide the B3.

ETA: I feed fermented chick starter with nutritional yeast, and just add the oats in during the ferment.

 

[Rstine]

I didn't add niacin last time but had since read about it and was planning on it this time around.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I didn't add niacin last time but had since read about it and was planning on it this time around.

Great! It's very important, especially for proper leg development in waterfowl.