Da' Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread!

[Going Quackers]

I have a vet appt tomorrow - her left wing is angling more outward, whereas her right wing seems fine. Maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit, maybe she's 100% normal, but I'm one of those obnoxious overprotective duck mamas.

Besides, her feed has been high in protein...what can I say, I'm a worrier. I've been giving her way more veggies and less of her pellets to see if that'll help. I also ordered some Mazuri (the only feed I could find below 15% protein), so until it arrives I'll just hafta stick to the veggies.



Is that a call duck? o.o;; She sure has a huge shnozz for one! Still a cutie though <3

Define "high" and at this point the whole protein vs angel wing is under massive debate... i think it's more an individuals birds reaction to proteins as i had 5 in the clutch and only 1 developed it, odd all fed the same!

 

[Going Quackers]

I've been looking through this thread and I'm in love! I hope a call duck is in my future!

They are loads of fun, i have a bakers dozen, definitely comical little ones.

 

[Going Quackers]

Forgot i run mine on a 16%

 

[Amykins]

Define "high" and at this point the whole protein vs angel wing is under massive debate... i think it's more an individuals birds reaction to proteins as i had 5 in the clutch and only 1 developed it, odd all fed the same!

Apparently the high protein level makes their feathers develop early, and the weight of them pulls the wingtip down. I think it's at least partially due to diet, since geese that haven't been fed a lot of protein don't develop it. And her feed was 18% protein. She's since been switched to a 13% one and her wings are wrapped, so hopefully this'll fix her up!

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I think angel wing is genetic. And that may just mean that certain birds are predisposed to getting it when fed high levels of protein. But I've seen birds with angel wing produce more ducklings with angel wing. Even when the ducklings were sold and raised by different people.

 

[Amykins]

I think angel wing is genetic. And that may just mean that certain birds are predisposed to getting it when fed high levels of protein. But I've seen birds with angel wing produce more ducklings with angel wing. Even when the ducklings were sold and raised by different people.

Maybe, but her breed stock has never had an issue with it. None of his birds have. So I have to assume it was just my feeding her the wrong food and not supplementing her with enough greens. :/ The vet I saw today specializes in wildlife, especially ducks and geese, so I guess I just have to trust her advice.

 

[Going Quackers]

Apparently the high protein level makes their feathers develop early, and the weight of them pulls the wingtip down. I think it's at least partially due to diet, since geese that haven't been fed a lot of protein don't develop it. And her feed was 18% protein. She's since been switched to a 13% one and her wings are wrapped, so hopefully this'll fix her up!

18% is not high, most duck starters are between 20 & 22%. It's a very grey area as i stated before, massive debate on the whole issue, i do believe it to be multiple factors. I have used 18% to start ducks for years and had no issues at all. Wrapping the wings is highly effective, what feed is 13%? lowest i can obtain here is 15%.

 

[Going Quackers]

I think angel wing is genetic. And that may just mean that certain birds are predisposed to getting it when fed high levels of protein. But I've seen birds with angel wing produce more ducklings with angel wing. Even when the ducklings were sold and raised by different people.

This is what i think is becoming the common thought on the issue and i tend to agree. It's a bird individual makeup and this response to proteins and such.

 

[Going Quackers]

Maybe, but her breed stock has never had an issue with it. None of his birds have. So I have to assume it was just my feeding her the wrong food and not supplementing her with enough greens. :/ The vet I saw today specializes in wildlife, especially ducks and geese, so I guess I just have to trust her advice.

Neither has mine, not trying to debate i just feel your diet is likely not the cause, did her wings turn out more than pictured? because i saw nothing in that to indicate AW. What advice did she give? the difficult part is domestic ducks are not wild, but it is good you have a vet who will deal with ducks at all, around here they will only put one down not a single thing after that.

 

[Amykins]

That's the thing, she's not on starter, she's on grower pellets. She's 5 weeks old. The lady I bought the feed from told me it was 15% protein, but then the guy I spoke to when I went to pick up more said she was wrong, he mixes it himself and it's anywhere between 18 and 20%. And now she has angel wing. My photos didn't really show the issue too well, and yeah, her wingtips did turn out more between then and now. So now she's all wrapped up with vet tape and a little sock!

As for the vet, yeah she specializes in wildlife but my point was she works with ducks every day, both wild and domestic. Which is awesome! I hope to follow in her footsteps someday, but for now I'm a lowly vet assistant struggling through school after swapping careers at the tender young age of...31. >.>;; But that just makes me feel worse as a caregiver, since she has so many problems and as good as I am with mammals and reptiles, I don't know thing one about birds.

My poor baby. Respiratory infection AND angel wing...I think I'm a bad duck mom, guys. ._.