Treating angel wing if it's 90+ degrees

[wits end gardens]

Hi all,

In looking up treatment for angel wing, I noticed a couple references to keeping the patient cooler, or at least not to let him/her get too hot.

We are having a heat wave for a few days. I also have a little girl (8 weeks) who needs her wing treated. What is better:

a: do it now even though it's crazy hot today and tomorrow (I've already held off a few days b/c of the heat)
b: wait 2 more days when it's only in the 80s instead of the 90s
c: either is fine and I worry too much.

They are all feeling the heat but have shade, cool water, chilled lettuce and a fan for extra ventilation.

Thanks!

 

[IamRainey]

Sounds to me like you're doing the right stuff.

The only additional thing I do when we get stretches of triple digits is plunk a 10# block of ice in front of a box fan blowing into the run. A 10# block lasts through the hottest part of the day. If I put the ice inside the run on a cement paver platform the chickens can peck at it and cool their feet on the pavers as well as benefit from the column of cooler air. The fans, of course, are OUTSIDE the enclosure.

You can also freeze blueberries, grapes or chunks of melon and offer them or frozen peas or carrot peelings in the hottest part of the day.

 

[ValerieJ]

I didn't know what angel wing was so I just looked it up. What I saw was that wrapping it is how you treat it, so now I understand your question. If it were me, I wouldn't do that until the weather cooled slightly. 80's is definitely better than 90's. But, take it with a grain of salt, coming from someone who didn't even know what it was until this morning. If waiting means it can't be fixed, then can you wrap it and move the bird (I don't think you said if it was a duck or chicken) to a cooler place for a couple days?

 

[wits end gardens]

I didn't know what angel wing was so I just looked it up. What I saw was that wrapping it is how you treat it, so now I understand your question. If it were me, I wouldn't do that until the weather cooled slightly. 80's is definitely better than 90's. But, take it with a grain of salt, coming from someone who didn't even know what it was until this morning. If waiting means it can't be fixed, then can you wrap it and move the bird (I don't think you said if it was a duck or chicken) to a cooler place for a couple days?

I was thinking I might wait until tonight when temps drop a little. Then add the ice block remedy from @IamRainey to keep her cooler tomorrow. That, and some frozen peas as a post-treatment treat!

 

[chickens really]

Never heard heat is an issue? Definitely happens but I'm thinking high protein is the issue.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@wits end gardens did you say you think heat is causing the angel wing? Or are you worried about wrapping them while it’s so hot?

 

[wits end gardens]

@wits end gardens did you say you think heat is causing the angel wing? Or are you worried about wrapping them while it’s so hot?

Worried about wrapping when it's so hot.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s what I was thinking thanks for your reply.

 

[chickens really]

Worried about wrapping when it's so hot.

Well many times a wrap doesn't help either. A crate in a cool room is worth trying though.

 

[wits end gardens]

Never heard heat is an issue? Definitely happens but I'm thinking high protein is the issue.

I wasn't very clear in my post. :-/

The heat isn't the cause, as you said. When I looked up treatment, it mentioned to not let her get too hot after wrapping the wing. Since we're extra hot for a few days I was concerned that wrapping her wing would add more heat stress. Yet waiting a few days might make her angel wing worse. I'm not sure which course of action is likely to have a better outcome and the least stress on her.