Duck with One Droopy Wing

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Went outside a little bit ago to see our Blue Swedish girl standing off on her own with one droopy wing. She kept pulling it up and tucking it in, then it would droop back down with the long outside feathers touching the ground. i got close to her to see if i could see any injury, but did not see anything. Now she's up sleeping on the porch.

We don't have a drake, so damage could not have come from mating. She was fine yesterday and i didn't observe anything traumatic happening between then and now. Any ideas what might cause this? And any suggestions on what to check for when i do pick her up to examine her?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

How old is your Swedish duck? If she is not full grown, do you think it could be angle wing? You can feel along the bones of the wing to check for any breaks (feel the normal one first as a basis for comparison).

Here is one thread on angel wing that discusses wrapping with vet wrap: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/550163/muscovy-angel-wing-pics-added

If it happens to be a broken bone, I suppose wrapping it still would be a good idea, and watch her for any signs of infection.

BTW, I like your avatar pic of the Showgirls and I noticed that you have a Sebastopol (such an adorable goose, I love my pair).

 

[Amiga]

If she's less than full grown, there is a slight possibility of niacin or other nutrient deficiency. Other possibilities are a sprain or minor fracture that could come from just doing something silly like getting startled and flying into a large immovable object (yes, I have seen that).

See if you can get ahold of her without her injuring herself worse, and feel the wing and joint.

If she's still growing it could just be an awkward day.

My ducks hold their wings funny like that if they are wet underneath and want their wings to dry out, so it could be something little like that.

Watch, watch, watch, and see how she does.

Extra vitamins never hurts.

Apple cider vinegar is a good tonic, too.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Thanks for your input. She's an adult, so not angel wing. i think it's broken. i felt her normal wing and it's nice and strong and she can pull it back. This other wing is totally limp. i couldn't feel where the break is, but it affects the whole bottom section of the flight wings.

i have an appointment tomorrow for one of my Sebastopol girls who has a limp. Just called to tell them i'm bringing Mrs. Lucky, too. i gave her some metacam for pain. But wondering if i should wrap it against her body with that stretchy vet tape stuff to get pressure off the break.

i love my Sebastopols, too. i have a lavender male and two white females. They're just 10 months old.

 

[Duckadia]

I have a Magpie Goose that has a droopy wing too. It's not broken, he can flap it fine, but it just doesn't sit up and tuck in like the other one.

I hope you figure out what is exactly wrong with your lovely, and I hope it can be fixed!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Amiga - i don't know why i didn't see your post before. i do supplement my ducks with Nutritional Yeast every day, on top of their peas. We used to have issues with transitory lameness. But now with the yeast, it is gone. There was one week i ran out and ended up with a duck unable to walk. So the yeast is definitely needed. Wondering if i need to be supplementing with other things. How often do you put the ACV in their water?

Thanks for your input Duckadia, heading to the vet in about half and hour. i am lucky to have an excellent vet. i know she will have some good options for both Mrs. Lucky (our duck) and Jeanne (our goose). i will post when i get back on what happens.

 

[Amiga]

I put in ACV when they need a boost, maybe every couple of months. I also give them vitamins as an extra boost, slightly more often (we've been a little off because I ran out of vitamins for a while).

How's the wing looking today?

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

My vet found that Mrs. Lucky has a break, at the elbow, where the bottom part of the wing (flight wings) connect with the top part of the wing. She did a cool figure 8 wrap on it. i was going to go out and take a picture (this was day before yesterday) but found she had gotten out of it. So i wrapped it up again. She got out of it again. One more time, out of it again. Same thing all day yesterday. So my feed store is bringing me a hutch for in the house tomorrow and Mrs. Lucky has to be on lock down. It keeps coming off when she's frolicking with her friends in the pond, so i guess she has to be in dry dock for 6-8 weeks. But my vet said it isn't a compound fracture, there are no breaks in the skin - just a simple break. She's getting metacam once a day for the pain.

As for my goose, Jeanne. We aren't quite sure why she is limping. Foot is fine, no breaks can be felt. This is the second time she's been in for this problem and it just won't go away and she has gotten worse lately. We're going to be giving her metacam once a day for pain and inflammation, and vitamin C on the chance it might be gout. i can't keep her separated from her friends, so she and her two buddies are going to be pen-bound for at least a week to limit Jeanne's movement.

i'll take a picture of the figure 8 wrap as soon as i can keep it on Mrs. Lucky for more than a minute.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Thanks for the update.

I hope Mrs. Lucky and Jeanne heal up well. Too bad about your goose - leg problems in waterfowl can be confusing. With all the nutritional yeast you are giving them, I guess that rules out Niacin deficiency as a cause.

 

[Minniechickmama]

nutritional deficiency can show itself in many different ways. However, if you have a good waterfowl food that you are giving them, they shouldn't be having issues.

A point about angel wing though, if that had been the case, it can often show up if the birds are getting too much protein.

Good luck with mending your duck. I sure as heck wouldn't want a duck in the house! They are so stinky and messy! If I didn't think they are so fun, the smell would really be a deal breaker!