HollowOfWisps
Previously AstroDuck
Disclaimer I am in no means claiming anything, but I did use to work in a science research lab so any time I can take the opportunity to experiment and research in my free time I take it. Again this is just my personal experience and finding.
I'll start with what research I have found on angel wing and I found small studies, but they was not enough behind them to state an absolute to the cause of angel wing. Theories yes like the protein speculation, but I take theories as just that theories not concrete science.
Now getting into my experience with angel wing. As most people know on here, I breed Hookbills who are prone to genetic issues and particularly I have noticed vitamin deficiencies being among those issues thanks to the inbreeding that took place to save the breed back in the 80s. One of my favorite hens had angel wing as a duckling and seemingly each hatch her ducklings would have angel wing too. I decided to experiment and try lowering the protein levels in my ducklings feed. My protein testing was during covid and everyone seemingly wanted chicks and ducks (end of the world prepping that never lasted long for most, you know). I was having trouble consistently finding the same starter. For the first two weeks my ducklings were on 18-20% starter depending on what I could get shipped or find at the store. The lower protein feed I could find was 16%. Now if you would have asked me at this time I would have sworn the lower protein was the issue because I noticed I had less cases or none with the protein swap. However, my love for science would not allow me to accept this because there were too many variables to say "Ah ha! It's the protein!'. When I laid out everything in a word document I noticed three issues glaring at me:
1. While the feed I switched to was lower protein and did seem to be helping with the angel wing, it was also different brand. When compared with the higher protein feeds, the lower protein feed was much better quality when it came to crucial vitamins like B3. This made me question is it the protein or the overall quality and quantity of vitamin/nutrients?
2. My hookbills are small birds I thought my smallest was 2lbs, but when I weighed her she is just a hare over 1.6lbs, my larger Hookbill hens are around 2lb and my males are 2.5-3lb range. Also compared to the various other breeds in the past that I have raise they do not grow nearly as fast in fact compared to the other breeds they grow almost slowly. Which would in "theory" poke holes in the protein theory surrounding angel wing with ducks growing too quickly to be on high protein feed.
3. My hookbills feather quality is noticeably better on higher protein feeds and their molts go much more smoothly. They have always had large stock tanks to swim in the past and now have a pond. They have 30sq ft per duck in their pen at night, 25-50 sq ft per duckling in their brooder (I brood in small batches of 2-4 usually) and free range on 30 acres during the day. Space and water access are by no means an issue in regards to feather quality. Which leaves protein.
Now these three things led me to question that if my ducks grow slowly and do much better on higher protein feeds overall is it really the high protein that is a factor in causing the angel wing or the overall nutrition aspect?
I have since switched to raising my ducklings on 20% flock raiser and for their first 5 days I give a comprehensive vitamin supplement daily in their water. After that I give the vitamin supplement once a week until they are 3 months old. After that I dose everyone regardless of age once a month. On the 20% protein with the vitamin supplementation there has been 0 cases of angel wing in my hatches from my original hen with angel wing. This has led me to believe it is not the protein levels, but rather the quality and quantity of nutrition the ducklings are receiving.
I'll start with what research I have found on angel wing and I found small studies, but they was not enough behind them to state an absolute to the cause of angel wing. Theories yes like the protein speculation, but I take theories as just that theories not concrete science.
Now getting into my experience with angel wing. As most people know on here, I breed Hookbills who are prone to genetic issues and particularly I have noticed vitamin deficiencies being among those issues thanks to the inbreeding that took place to save the breed back in the 80s. One of my favorite hens had angel wing as a duckling and seemingly each hatch her ducklings would have angel wing too. I decided to experiment and try lowering the protein levels in my ducklings feed. My protein testing was during covid and everyone seemingly wanted chicks and ducks (end of the world prepping that never lasted long for most, you know). I was having trouble consistently finding the same starter. For the first two weeks my ducklings were on 18-20% starter depending on what I could get shipped or find at the store. The lower protein feed I could find was 16%. Now if you would have asked me at this time I would have sworn the lower protein was the issue because I noticed I had less cases or none with the protein swap. However, my love for science would not allow me to accept this because there were too many variables to say "Ah ha! It's the protein!'. When I laid out everything in a word document I noticed three issues glaring at me:
1. While the feed I switched to was lower protein and did seem to be helping with the angel wing, it was also different brand. When compared with the higher protein feeds, the lower protein feed was much better quality when it came to crucial vitamins like B3. This made me question is it the protein or the overall quality and quantity of vitamin/nutrients?
2. My hookbills are small birds I thought my smallest was 2lbs, but when I weighed her she is just a hare over 1.6lbs, my larger Hookbill hens are around 2lb and my males are 2.5-3lb range. Also compared to the various other breeds in the past that I have raise they do not grow nearly as fast in fact compared to the other breeds they grow almost slowly. Which would in "theory" poke holes in the protein theory surrounding angel wing with ducks growing too quickly to be on high protein feed.
3. My hookbills feather quality is noticeably better on higher protein feeds and their molts go much more smoothly. They have always had large stock tanks to swim in the past and now have a pond. They have 30sq ft per duck in their pen at night, 25-50 sq ft per duckling in their brooder (I brood in small batches of 2-4 usually) and free range on 30 acres during the day. Space and water access are by no means an issue in regards to feather quality. Which leaves protein.
Now these three things led me to question that if my ducks grow slowly and do much better on higher protein feeds overall is it really the high protein that is a factor in causing the angel wing or the overall nutrition aspect?
I have since switched to raising my ducklings on 20% flock raiser and for their first 5 days I give a comprehensive vitamin supplement daily in their water. After that I give the vitamin supplement once a week until they are 3 months old. After that I dose everyone regardless of age once a month. On the 20% protein with the vitamin supplementation there has been 0 cases of angel wing in my hatches from my original hen with angel wing. This has led me to believe it is not the protein levels, but rather the quality and quantity of nutrition the ducklings are receiving.
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