Angel Wings in Ducks: 5 Root Causes And 2 DIY Recovery Tips

Angel wings in ducks of a certain age are a matter of concern. Treating angel wings in ducks depends on their age. If they aren’t growing much, then following a simple group of rules might fix the problem. 

But what causes angel wings in ducks, and how to treat it? Well, nutritional deficiency and overfeeding are what potentially cause angel wings. To treat, you must first ensure a balanced diet for your ducks. Softly wrap their wings for a week or more than that. No medication is required. 

Sometimes, people make blunders in between drooping wings and angel wings. I’ll try to clear up the confusion in this article. You will also get to know how ducks’ age matters in recovering angel wings here.

What Is the Angel Wings in Duck?

Angel wings in ducks can be called a certain feather condition. It’s like when the feathers in their wings stand out instead of lying flat like normal. It makes the wings look twisted and will affect the flying ability of a duck. 

However, if a young duck with Angel Wings gets a better diet with the right nutrients, the condition can improve, and they can grow up healthier. In general, ducks with 8 – 12 weeks of age are more prone to have angel wings. 

Discover 3 Severity Levels of Angel Wings in Ducks

A group of researchers from Taiwan have measured these severity levels of angel wings. Let’s take a look.

• Grade 1 (Slight): The primary feathers stick out from the body at less than a 30-degree angle. This is just a minor case.

• Grade 2 (Moderate): The feathers project out at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees from the body. This is a more noticeable/moderate case.

• Grade 3 (Severe): The primary feathers are sticking out from the body at an angle greater than 60 degrees. This is a very severe case where the wings are badly deformed.

Image source: Poultry DVM

The higher the grade, the more pronounced and serious the angel wing condition is. But even a slight case in grade 1 can get worse over time if not corrected. Catching and treating this issue early is important for the duck’s health and quality of life. I hope this simple overview helps explain the severity scale for duck angel wing in easy-to-understand terms

3 Causes of Angel Wings in Ducks

There are several causes behind angel wings in ducks. Let’s dive deep into 5 causes of angel wings in ducks that mainly affect. 

1. Nutritional Deficiency

Ducks need specific vitamins and minerals to grow and maintain their feathers properly. According to Chinese research, 1% of a duck’s daily diet should be mineral.

When they don’t get enough of these essential nutrients in their diet, it can lead to problems like Angel Wing.

2. Carbohydrates and Sugar Overload 

Ducks love to eat, and sometimes, they are given too many foods that are rich in carbohydrates and sugars. These foods can be tempting but not very nutritious. When ducks eat too much of these, it can mess up their feather growth and wing development for sure.

3. Bread As a Culprit

One common mistake people make is feeding ducks bread. Bread is high in carbohydrates and does not have the proper nutrients ducks need. Ducks eating a lot of bread contributes to the development of the Angel Wing.

3 Symptoms That Indicate Angel Wings in Ducks

Here, you’ll find three vital symptoms that should not be ignored, as these indicate angel wings are developing in your duck’s body. 

1. Drooping Wings: One of the early signs. You might notice their wings aren’t tightly held against their body like the way they should be. Instead, one or both of the wings may hang down lower than usual.
2. Wing Angle: This symptom will be shown in more severe conditions of angel wings. The wings can stick out at an angle greater than 60 degrees for your duck’s body. This might look like they’re forming a V shape. 
3. Damaged Feather: Sometimes, the primary feathers might be damaged. And they might lose their flying ability eventually. 

Consequences of Angel Wings in Ducks

Angel Wing’s consequences aren’t something that will make you feel good. It initially has two consequences. Let’s have a look at those.

1. Wing Deformation

The Angel Wing causes the wing carpal joint (similar to our wrist) to grow in a strange way. This makes the wing stick out instead of folding nicely against the duck’s body. Because of this, ducks with Angel Wing can’t fly properly, which is a big problem for them.

2. Oldies Have No Way to Recover

Unfortunately, if a duck gets an Angel Wing when it’s fully grown, there’s usually no way to fix it. This is for wild ducks specifically. It can be a serious issue for them because they can’t fly to find food or be with other ducks. 

2 Diy Angel Wing Treatments

Treating Angel Wings in young ducks is possible with prompt action. This condition occurs when wing feathers grow the wrong way basically. However, there’s a straightforward discussion on how to treat them in such a situation. 

1. Diet Adjustment Is a Key Remedy

Begin by adding alfalfa pellets to your duckling’s daily meals. You can also place a small dish of duck pellets for them to munch on whenever they like. This dietary change may help correct Angel Wing.

I’m giving you a generalized diet chart that might provide a good amount of all essential nutrients for ducks. 

Please remember this is a personalized table. You might have other food preferences. Just ensure they get an ideal quantity of nutrients for their better growth and recovery angel wings.

2. Wrap Their Wings Until Complete Recovery

That is a recognized way of treating ducks to heal quickly from angel wings to many duck owners.  

Obtain a long strip of stretchy bandage. This will be used to gently wrap the affected wing.

Now, wrap the affected wing carefully using the Vetrap. You can do it in two ways:

• Simply wrap the wing and attach it to the duck’s body.
• Wrap both the wing and body together. First, cover the wings with a bandage. Now, use an elastic to let it stick to the body. 

Maintain for a Week or Two

The wrap will hold the feathers in the right position, allowing them to grow correctly. Keep the wrap on for about one or two weeks. In the meantime, you have to keep patience. Allow your duckling time to heal. During this period, the wing’s last joint should grow stronger, supporting proper feather growth.

Starting treatment promptly is essential for the best results. With proper care and patience, your duckling will likely recover nicely. If you still don’t get it, here’s a very well-explained video for you on angel wings in ducks, the causes, and how to treat them: 

Related Readings:

• Why Do Ducks Have Seizures
• Why Is My Duck Losing Feathers
• Prolapsed Vent In Ducks
• White Patches On Ducks

Clearing Confusion Between Angel Wing And Drooping Wing

It’s important not to mix up the Angel Wing with another similar thing called the Drooped Wing or Lazy Wing. Here’s the difference, plain and simple.

Angel Wing

This is when a duck’s wing sticks out strangely because the wrist part grows funny. It makes it hard for them to fly, and their feathers look odd. 

If it’s on a severe level, it might be a big deal, especially for wild ducks, because wild ducks rely more on their wings for living. 

Drooped Wing

Sometimes, baby birds have trouble holding up all their feathers. It’s not usually a problem for ducks raised for meat because they don’t live long enough for it to matter.

But for domestic ducks, it’s not good, except for certain curly-feathered Sebastopol geese, where it’s normal. But it’s not a problem like angel wing. It just does not look great either. 

Sometimes, ducks drool because they want attention or show happiness. But it’s a natural process. So, do not worry about it!

So, you understand that dropped and angel wings aren’t the same disease, and the consequences aren’t the same.

Recommended Reading: Common Diseases In Ducks

Bottom Line

Overall, It is suggested to ensure a balanced diet for your ducks. Avoid giving them human foods like bread, and give them supportive care. Wrap their wings gently with a suitable bandage that won’t cause any trouble. That is how to treat angel wings in ducks.

However, preventing angel wings is much easier. Make sure they aren’t going to face any nutritional deficiency. Keep it balanced, and they’ll be happily roaming around you!

Sources And References:

• https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/nutrition-and-management-poultry/vitamin-deficiencies-in-poultry
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579121004739