Preventing Angel Wings

[luckyduck956]

I’ve read some things about preventing angel wings by making sure ducklings are fed the correct amount of protein. I just pour feed into the bowl and let mine eat as they please. They’re a little over a week old. Am I suppose to feed them only a certain amount? Right now they’re eating crumbles, and I have pellets for when they get olde.

Also, how do you figure out if they’re getting the right amount as they start to get older?

 

[Knighstar679]

Certain breeds seem more prone than others. I feed my ducklings a 18% chick feed by Nutrena since I switched to it I haven’t had any angel wing. I also noticed my ducklings seem to grow at a nice steady growth without huge spiked.

 

[Isaac 0]

Angel Wing is caused by feeding an incorrect diet, as long as you're not feeding them excessive treats, high protein game feed or feeding them a grain-based diet you should be fine. I feed mine 20% chick starter until they are around eight weeks, then I switch to All flock feed. Remember to prevent leg problems associated with a Niacin deficiency its always a good idea to add a supplemental source of Niacin to their diet, that could be in the form of a poultry vitamin, brewers yeast or nutritional yeast.

 

[SkyeT]

We did everything right. Snacks were appropriate, healthy, nutritious and normal (tomatoes, peas, lettuce, blueberries). Chick starter, niacin and garlic supplements, we did all the research, did everything we were told on here and our male buff runner still developed it. We caught it early had a vet check him and wrap him and in 7 days, his wing was straight and strong. Even if you do everything right, you aren't 100% guaranteed.

 

[Isaac 0]

No, but doing the above will defintley decrease the likley hoods of getting angelwing.

 

[SkyeT]

Of course! I guess i was just posting to reassure that sometimes, you can do everything right and you still hit a bump on the road.

 

[Knighstar679]

When mine got it it was due to genetics in the line. No birds that were not from the same line got it. So it was a genetic trait in that line of birds.

 

[luckyduck956]

Angel Wing is caused by feeding an incorrect diet, as long as you're not feeding them excessive treats, high protein game feed or feeding them a grain-based diet you should be fine. I feed mine 20% chick starter until they are around eight weeks, then I switch to All flock feed. Remember to prevent leg problems associated with a Niacin deficiency its always a good idea to add a supplemental source of Niacin to their diet, that could be in the form of a poultry vitamin, brewers yeast or nutritional yeast.

The crumbles says it contains Niacin supplement. Do I still need to add more to their diet? Or should this be okay?

 

[Knighstar679]

The crumbles says it contains Niacin supplement. Do I still need to add more to their diet? Or should this be okay?

Depends on which type of ducklings you have and the type of crumbles. Most of us add something to it just in case anyways to be safe.

 

[Ratchnick]

After two weeks you can switch to 3 15-20 minute feedings a day if you like. Nobody knows exactly what causes angle wing, but to much protein seems a likely cause. Some ppl feed their ducks 28% game bird feed with no issues. That does not mean everyone can get away with that.