So, the bear from my thread on OT came back tonight. I now have a young (8 week) old domestic duck with a broken wing. Any ideas on how to help it heal. My current plan is to wrap it to her body with vet wrap and see how it goes. I don’t think the skin is broken, but I’ll know for sure in the morning when I can get a better look.
It depends on where the break is, how bad it is or if you’re mistaking a dislocation for a break. A splint might be needed if it’s even feasible and if it is it’s probably best done by a vet. Depending on the size of the duck a tube sock, leggings or pantyhose cut to go over the ducks’s head might work better than vet wrap?
Good luck with your duck!
Figure 8 vet wrap around the wing and body and then a wrap around the whole thing, somewhat loose as vet wrap tends to tighten slightly on it’s own. I’ve had to do it with chickens that the horses ran over (I swear they do it on purpose) and it works well.
Upon closer inspection, I think it’s dislocated at the main shoulder joint. It hangs down and I can manipulate it all around. The duck cannot move it on her own. She does have a couple bad scrapes or minor punctures, one above and one below. I’m thinking leave the wing to heal as is so the punctures can heal with more air circulation.
You really should consult a vet. For the wounds, you should clean, disinfect and maybe pack the punctures with antibiotic cream or something like that or she could get infected also.
4 Likes
Is the wing still warm? And does the duck react if you pinch her wing? I’d be concerned that there may be damage to the blood supply or the nerves if she’s unable to move it on her own.
I know how hard it is to find vets to treat poultry. Keeping those wounds clean should probably be top priority. Without knowing if the wing is broken or dislocated it’s hard to give advice. I would be inclined to loosely figure 8 wrap it, to keep it from dragging, getting stepped on, etc. Either way, as long as the blood supply isn’t damaged it should heal without putting her in danger.
You can give aspirin to chickens for pain relief. I think you can give it to ducks as well, but best to double check. I don’t remember the dosage off the top of my head.
2 Likes
Oh, I hadn’t thought about that! She didn’t seem to react at all when I messed with it this morning. I’ll check it over better tonight when she goes in.
Maybe contact a wildlife rehab person for direction and suggestions. While the rehabber may not take your duck they might be able to help diagnose and make decisions.
1 Like
OP, how is your duck doing?
She looks OK, for the most part. Up and moving and quacking. Her wing is warm, but dosn’t seem to have any sensation in it. No sign of infection in the owies.
On a good note, we got the bear last night! He is off to the butcher today to be made into burger and sausages.
That’s good! I recently watched a video from the Cincinnati Zoo. It was about their bald eagles. None of them can fly because of various injuries. They seemed quite happy to hop around on logs and eat.
I just gave Raspberry (injured duck) a swim with her mate Coffee, which they both loved. I noticed a tiny bit of movement in her wing! Hoping it continues. Coffee is also injured, but not as bad. He just has a sprained leg. He’s gimping along, but is starting to put some weight on it. I have them separated from the chickens for now in a small pen so they don’t do to much trying to keep up with the rest of the flock.
