one of my drakes was given to me early last year...from the start he had an 'odd' wing that dragged down. the former owners said he was born like that. we tried strapping it up, didnt help, so we left him to it. this winter he moulted and his big boy feathers grew back seemingly bigger/heavier than last year and his wing was so heavy with the new feathers it started dragging right under him. so on advice of a few people here i clipped the edges of the feathers and it seemed to help keep them off the floor. but his wing has started drooping even more now.... the edges of his wing are getting torn up and it must be annoying him, he constantly tries to flick his wing back up into place but it slides back down.........im not sure what else to do to help him? he didnt seem bothered by it for the first year, its just since the new feathers grew in. how far back can i cut without making him bleed?
I personally would have someone hold him and yank the feathers out of the skin. That way he doesn't have the clipped edges, and his wing would be lighter. You could take him to a vet and have them pinion that wing.. I have done it to older call ducks myself, and all recovered fine, but you have to be very careful, so a vet would be best.
When I clip my muscovies wings so they won't fly down to the river, I just open up the wing you will be able to see where the quick or blood is just cut below it. It really does need to be cut or pinioned. Hes a pretty boy also.
What a pretty boy! He looks sweet and a little self concious of his wing! I clip my scovies to keep them from flying (though they really don't try...) and you can see the point in the feathers to clip rather easily if you look close and spread the wings out.