Regies Wings

[duckyfromoz]

My disabled duck Regie has wing feathers growing so fast, but the " white coating stuff" is not coming off and one wing has the feathers sticking out. One side is ok, but she cant seem to preen herself properly on the side of her bad leg. I have been trying to pick it off, and giving her extra time in the bath to try to soften it for her. Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to help her or should I just continue picking the stuff off her wing feathers.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I have a parrot who I rescued who has the same problem. She was horribly attacked by a dog before I got her. Her right foot was torn off, her left wing was broken and her nare was punctured. She never received vet care before I got her.

She's unable to properly preen herself on the side where the wing was broken and she has problems preening her very long macaw tail feathers. My husband and I have to sit with her, sometimes for hours to unfurl those feathers out of the sheaths.

I know those sheaths are very tough on our macaw and I would think they would be on a duck as well. Water doesn't help, at least now with Zeusy. Our vet told us that the only way is for us to continue to do what we're doing.

Good luck with Regie!

Laurie

 

[duckyfromoz]

Thanks for that. I think water does help a little to soften the sheaths...I will keep going...although it is time consuming, I know it is helping her to feel more comfortable.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

The water may soften them considering Regie's a duck! With the macaws, its not the same. The sheaths are hard, brittle at times so sometimes they're really hard to peel.

Our Zeusy is learning how to preen herself but there are areas that she still can't reach that we'll always have to do for her. Hopefully Regie will learn to do some preening too!

Laurie

 

[duckyfromoz]

She can preen....but only one one side of her body as she has lost the use of one leg, which makes things difficult for her to balance. The steaths are alot easier to removed than on a macaw by the sounds of it. Lucky its on;y one wing I have to do... And of course may have to help each time she molts.