What Causes Angel Wing in Ducks?
It’s not very difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes angel wing in ducks.
Firstly, when there is a deficiency of calcium or phosphorus in ducklings, it may lead to them developing the Angel Wing Syndrome. Another reason why they develop this is when the feathers in their wings become too dense or heavy for the joint that supports them.
Since the weight becomes too excessive for the tendons in the joints. That leads to the small bones of the duck to flip over. But there is a lot more and we will be discussing about it all right here.
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What Are the Primary Causes of Angel Wing in Ducks?
Angel wing syndrome is also known as slipped wing and it usually develops during the early, growing, stage of a bird’s life.
The primary cause of this condition is improper diet. If your duck is on a diet that contains a very high amount of protein and low on nutrients such as manganese, Vitamin D and Calcium.
While they are in the wilderness, they are able to take up a diet that has a variety of nutrients which is why they are able to manage their uptake of nutrients.
But when the ducks are in the captivity of humans or depend on humans for food, they might be given food containing low nutrients and high protein.
Some examples of these foods are grains and breads.
What Does Angel Wing Do to Ducks?
Ducks who get angel wing will have difficulty in learning to fly and will not have a regular life.
The last joint of the duck’s wing will be twisted outwards which will not allow the feather of the wings to lay flat against its body.
Here are a few things that the duck might face if they get angel wing –
Flight Impairment
These ducks may not learn to fly at all as this condition is more common the growing stage of a bird’s life.
Decrease in Mobility
Not only will the duck face troubles while flying, the overall mobility will be decreased. It will have trouble walking and even swimming.
Pain
Because of the twisted joint, the creature may suffer from physical joint pains and other issues as well.
More Vulnerable to Predators
Because of their reduced mobility, it will become a challenge for them to escape their predators. Thus, this condition makes them more vulnerable to getting attacked and devoured.
Can Angel Wings in Ducks Fix Itself?
Sadly, this deformity does not fic itself in ducks. This is more of a permanent condition and it ultimately has impact on the bird’s structure and growth.
If there in no intervention, the wing will remain in that twisted abnormal manner.
Can Ducklings Get Angel Wings?
Yes, duckling can get angel wings. In fact, they are more susceptible in getting this condition than the more mature birds.
As we have said before, this occurs mainly during the developing and early years of a bird’s life.
What Causes Angel Wings in Ducklings?
Here are a few causes of Angel Wings in ducklings:
High Protein Diet
When the ducklings are overfed with an abnormal amount of protein such as meat or fish, that imbalances their nutrient uptake. This results in the development of this condition.
Rapid Growth
Domesticated ducklings are more likely to get rapid growth. And when that is paired with an improper diet, it is just the perfect recipe of getting angel wings.
Incorrect Diet Composition
When the diet consists an imbalance of nutrients, it causes angel wings. Birds become more prone towards it if they have food such as grains.
How Do You Treat Angel Wings in Ducklings?
If the condition is caught early on, then treatment is the best way to go for the bird. These are some of the steps one can take to treat their ducklings:
Get Physical Therapy
Physical therapy such as low impact exercises may be administered in order to make the muscle in the wings strong.
Maintain a Diet
A proper balanced diet has to be provided to the bird that has nutrients such as Calcium and Vitamin D present. Make sure that the protein intake is limited in such cases.
Supportive Wrapping
This is a method that can be employed to realign the wing back to its own place. For that you would need a soft material like a bandage. Be sure that you do not wind it up very tightly as it might causes issues with blood circulation.
Go to the Vet
If things do not seem to get any better, it is time for you to take a visit to the vet. They will be able to give the right treatment for the ducklings.
How Do You Fix an Angel Wing of a Domesticated Duck?
The best thing that you can do is to identify the problem early on. That way the treatment will be much faster.
You, at first, would want to remedy the cause of the condition which is most likely the diet. Lower the amount of protein being consumed and increase the uptake of nutrients like Calcium and manganese.
Next, try physical therapy and supportive wrapping. In some cases, you would also need to do splinting. But the best way to fix an angel wing of a domesticated duck is to take it to the vet and leave everything in the safety of their professional hands.
What Are the Most Common Breeds of Ducks that Suffer from Angel Wings?
Commonly, domesticated ducks are the ones that suffer from Angel wings the most. Among them, the most common breeds are the following:
It is essential to remember that wild ducks too can develop this condition if they are exposed to the same kind of situations and risks as that of a domesticated bird.
Are There Any Dietary Factors that Contribute to Angel Wings in Ducks?
Dietary factors are the key components of Angel Wings. Birds that consume an excessive amount of protein like meat or fish are at a high risk of getting this syndrome.
When calcium, vitamin D and manganese are low in the diet, this also contributes to an imbalance in the diet, hence, end result is Angel wing.
Conclusion
You must understand that when the balance between human intervention and nature gets disrupted during the developmental stages of a duck’s life, that is when they are most vulnerable of getting Angel wings.
One should understand the crucial role that diet plays while the birds are still growing.
If they are provided with a well-proportioned diet, the chances of them developing this condition will become minimum.
Image Credit:
- Facebook.com/MarieSmith
