*Please help* First timer with lazy/twisted wing

[Denninmi]

I had the same problem last year with one of my 3 Rouen drakes.

You can search online for "angelwing" and get a couple of videos about how to wrap, treat etc.

One other thing that MIGHT help is feather removal of the feathers on the wing tip. But, this occurs as the feathers grow, and they are all bloody at that point, so that is a hard and unpleasant and potentially painful thing to do as well. I didn't try this.

However, just as you've found out, the ducks DON'T LIKE IT -- virtually impossible to get it on, and once they do, they will just work at it until it comes off.

I tried for a few days last year to keep his wing wrapped, but it was in vane, really.

So, I finally gave up -- I think I was stressing him out and doing more harm than good in the end.

So, now he just has a droopy wing tip. It doesn't seem to phase him a bit, isn't harmful, just looks a bit peculiar.

It is genetic, by the way, occurs more in larger, faster-growing breeds, and is a defect or weakness in the tendons of the wing.

If possible, you should NOT allow these birds to breed, since it will pass to the offspring.

My personal advice -- if this is just a pet duck, ignore it and let it be.

 

[katharinad]

You have to wrap the wing first and then wrap it to the body. Either way it will be a fight. You may need to contact your vet to show you how to do it right and what to watch out for. Shouldn't be that expensive since it is more of a service visit. You can also call a wild life rehabilitator and ask if they would show you how to. Many will do it for free, but appreciate a small donation.
Katharina

 

[maralynn28]

Quote:
She is a pet duck and I have all girls so I won't be breeding her BUT she's too pretty I would love her to look her best. I will definitely not be removing her feathers on her wing tips, that sounds painful and awful. If I'm having this much trouble with the wrap, I imagine how much trouble that could be and don't want to bother her too much. She's been such a sweetie, but seems to be getting more wary of me the more I bother her.
I agree that I'm stressing her (and me) out more than anything right now. Will give it a little time I think and see if it gets worse, it seems to be much better already and she's still young so it COULD fix itself right? Her wing is just a little droopy and there is a feather or two sticking up. I think wrapping it would make it worse at the moment.

 

[maralynn28]

Quote:
Katharina, I didn't think of that...thanks for the tip. I think I'm going to watch her today and maybe tomorrow and see how it looks and if I need to do more I will definitely wrap the wing and then to the body, and if I still need help I'll try the vet/ rehab as you recommended.

Thank you all for your helpful bits of advice! I'm so grateful.