Duck With A Broken Wing.

[lynchhomestead]

I have an immature duck drake which I suspect might have a broken wing. One of his wings has been drooping for a few days now, and he has been hitching it up constently. I have had a close-up look at it but can't find a break. However the wing is limp from about the alula to the tip... in other words the entire primary section.
So I'm thinking about taping it up, but don't really know how to go about that.
If anyone more experienced then me has advice, I'd really appreciate it!

(BTW, I know for sure it is not angel wing; he is done growing.)

 

[sourland]

Is he molting, and is the wing filled with developing blood/pin feathers? This can cause a birds wing to droop.

 

[lynchhomestead]

sourland, thanks for your response. Yes, he is molting out of his juvenile plumage into his adult plumage, though I'm not sure if he is molting his wing feathers at this stage.​

However, I think that if that was the cause, both wings might be drooping. Also, the one wing seemed as though it was limp, not just heavy.​

I will check those pin feathers in the morning though, and thanks again for your input!!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I agree with @sourland. What you are describing sounds exactly like what ducks do when they molt and their wings are heavy. It does not have to be both wings sometimes just the one bothers them during the molt and they often will just end up letting it hang more if it is a painful molt for them.

 

[MGG]

I agree with @sourland. What you are describing sounds exactly like what ducks do when they molt and their wings are heavy. It does not have to be both wings sometimes just the one bothers them during the molt and they often will just end up letting it hang more if it is a painful molt for them.

X3. I have multiple ducks that do this every molt. Just genetics. Are the feathers thick and blue about halfway down?

 

[lynchhomestead]

HollowOfWisps, MGG, sourland, thanks for your quick replys!​

I had a look at his wing this morning and, no he is not currently molting his wing feathers; they are clear, and not growing.
I'm still thinking the wing might be broken, so if anyone has advice on taping it I would appreciate it!