Duck breeding is considered a popular trend in poultry farming. These birds primarily walk on the ground. However, they are also characterized by the ability to fly. To avoid losing your pets, it is important to periodically clip their wings. It is important to do this in compliance with a number of recommendations so as not to harm the birds. So, how to properly trim ducks' wings?
Should ducks' wings be clipped?
Ducks are naturally endowed with good flying abilities. Wild individuals living in nature often face the need to move long distances in search of food and water.The ability to fly often protects them from predatory animals.
Domestic ducks face fewer dangers in their lives. However, they still have flying skills. This creates a danger that the birds will simply fly away from the farm. Most often this happens with Indian ducks and individuals that belong to the Peking breed.
Sometimes poultry farmers do not trim the wings, but heavily feed their pets. Ducks that are overweight have great difficulty flying. However, this is not a very good way. With systematic overeating, there is a risk of birds developing all kinds of pathologies. In addition, individuals need to be walked in open areas. Keeping livestock in a barn all the time is difficult and unprofitable. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically monitor the length of their wings. If you trim them, you don't have to worry about the ducks flying away.
At what age should the procedure be performed?
It is advisable to trim the wings of domestic ducks in the first half of autumn. Experienced poultry farmers advise doing it in September. But at the same time, it is worth focusing on the period of seasonal molting. Trimming is usually done after this period, when new feathers appear.
For the first time, manipulation is best performed at 4 months - at this time the birds reach puberty. As a rule, wing trimming is carried out once a year. When the procedure is performed correctly, birds do not experience discomfort. At the same time, they may face stress.
Necessary equipment
To perform the procedure, you should prepare the following:
- gloves – they should be thick enough to protect your hands from all kinds of damage;
- sharp scissors – it is permissible to use special devices that can be used to cut metal;
- burlap - required if the ducks resist strongly.
Pruning rules
It is best to trim the wings of turkey ducks together. In this case, one person should hold the bird tightly, and the second should stretch the wing and perform the appropriate actions. Many farmers are careful not to harm the duck and cut off excess.
To properly trim the wings, before carrying out the manipulation you should familiarize yourself with the main types of feathers.
They are divided into 2 categories - coverts and flight feathers. The second ones are located on the back of the wing and help the bird take off. These are the largest feathers. Therefore, it is impossible to confuse them with others. Today there are several methods of pruning:
- The first method is mainly used by hunters. It is used for decoy ducks, which help attract game. For this purpose, domestic birds need to be given maximum resemblance to wild ones. In this case, it is recommended to trim only the wide part of the feathers that are located along the base. This method allows birds to fly, but they can only move short distances.
- The second method is used by hunters and farmers. It helps maintain the aesthetic appearance of ducks. For this purpose, feathers are trimmed in a checkerboard pattern. When carrying out the procedure, the wide part of the first flywheel must be removed, and the second must be shortened by only 50%. By alternating, it is possible to trim the entire wing.
- The third method is considered the simplest. In this case, the farmer shortens all the flight feathers, with the exception of 2-3 feathers.These elements are used to maintain aesthetic characteristics.
All of these options are used exclusively for one wing: if you trim both, the duck will still be able to fly. Such manipulations are recommended to be performed after the end of the molting period and after reaching 15 weeks of age. It is forbidden to trim the wings of chicks. Also, you should not carry out the procedure with females that are hatching eggs.
In other situations, feathers can be trimmed. At the same time, it is worth performing the procedure many times. In a year it will need to be repeated. At the same time, you should not be afraid to trim feathers. The manipulation is considered completely safe and does not cause pain.
Wound treatment in case of errors
Sometimes, while performing a manipulation, a farmer accidentally damages a vessel. In such a situation, it is recommended to take immediate action. First of all, it is important to stop the bleeding.
For this purpose, it is permissible to use the following substances:
- "Betadine" is an iodine solution that has an aqueous base.
- "Miramistin" - has pronounced disinfecting properties and helps heal damaged areas.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
If a blood vessel is damaged during wing trimming, ordinary iodine cannot be used for treatment. Before the procedure, it is important to prepare all the necessary medications.
If pruning results in a deep wound and the bleeding cannot be stopped, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.
Trimming the wings of domestic ducks is considered a simple procedure. It is important to have the necessary skills and act as confidently as possible. Before carrying out the manipulation, you should prepare all the necessary equipment. This will help make the process much easier for the poultry and the farmer.
