Remember the chicken with a broken wing? Here’s some revised text: Remember that chicken with a broken wing from my backyard? Turns out, it turns into a rooster.
Hissing, squawking, feathers flying in every direction — you’ve never seen anything like it. It must be a fox or dog after the chickens! Except… it’s not. In fact, one of your hens has broken a wing and is running around the farmyard like her life depended on it. You can’t leave her like this — but what can you do about it?
Chicken With One Droopy Wing? (Diagnosis and Treatments)
Do you have a chicken with one droopy wing?
You’re right to be a little concerned, it’s not normal to see a chicken with a droopy wing!
However, there are a number of possible reasons for a droopy wing, it doesn’t necessarily mean your chicken is sick.
Here’s a look at some of the reasons why chickens have droopy wings sometimes, as well as the signs to look for that your chicken is unwell:
What Does a Chicken with One Droopy Wing Mean?
There are a few reasons why a chicken may develop droopy wings, are suddenly drooping one wing, or have an issue with one of their wings.
Some of the most common causes are:
Injury
If you notice one of your chickens has a droopy wing, it could be due to an injury.
Chickens are notoriously clumsy, and sometimes they injure their wings when they’re running around or playing.
If you can’t see any obvious injuries, it’s possible that the problem is muscular.
Chickens use their wings for a lot more than flying, and sometimes the muscles can get overworked and tired.
It can be hard to determine exactly what a chicken has done or the extent of the injury, you might have to pack them up for a trip to the vet.
Angel Wing or Other Deformities
There are some conditions and deformities that affect chickens, and birds in general.
One condition that often results in a chicken having one or both wings drooping is called Angel Wing, also known as ‘drooped wing’.
This is a deformity of the wing that causes it to droop down at an abnormal angle.
Sometimes, the feathers on the wing may also be twisted or point in the wrong direction.
Unfortunately, Angel Wing is a congenital deformity, which means it’s present from birth, and treatment is difficult.
Overheating
Chickens are very sensitive to heat, and if they get too warm, their body temperature can rise to dangerous levels.
One of the signs that a chicken is overheating is drooping wings.
Your chicken is basically trying to hold their wing away from their body in an attempt to allow more airflow in to cool down.
If you think your chicken might be overheating, move them to a cooler area and offer them some water to drink.
Crop Impaction
Another possible reason for a droopy wing is crop impaction.
The crop is a part of the chicken’s digestive system where food is stored before it enters the gizzard.
Sometimes, if a chicken eats too much or too fast, the crop can become impacted and blockage can occur.
This can cause a number of problems, including crop impaction, and one of the symptoms is a droopy wing.
How Do I Know if My Chicken Has a Broken Wing?
If you think your chicken may have a broken wing, there are a few signs to look for.
First, check for any obvious injuries or swelling.
Next, see if your chicken can move the wing at all.
If the wing is hanging limply and your chicken can’t move it, it’s likely that the bone is broken.
If you suspect your chicken has a broken wing, it’s best to take them to the vet for treatment asap.
How Do You Fix a Dislocated Chicken Wing?
Chickens can dislocate a wing without breaking it, which is certainly an easier fix.
However, if your chicken has a dislocated wing, it’s best to take them to the vet for treatment unless you’re experienced in replacing dislocations.
A dislocated wing can be very painful for your chicken, as I’m sure anyone who has dislocated a bone can appreciate!
The vet will be able to put the joint back in place and give your chicken some pain relief.
Signs to Look for That You Have a Sick Chicken
If you are concerned you have a sick chicken, and think they have a droopy wing as a result – a few of the signs that may indicate your chicken is sick include:
- Lethargic behavior, such as sitting or laying down all the time.
- Not eating or drinking as much as normal.
- Any kind of unusual behavior.
- Wheezing or gasping.
- Ruffled feathers or a generally unkempt appearance.
- Increased thirst.
- Runny nose or eyes.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to take your chicken to the vet for a check-up.
What to Do if You Think You Have a Sick Chicken
If you think your chicken may be sick, the best thing to do is take them to the vet for a check-up.
At the very least, I recommend calling a vet and describing the symptoms you’re seeing.
You have to take the potential for disease and illness within your flock seriously and act sooner rather than later.
Otherwise, a viral disease can spread and you’ll have a whole flock of sick chickens on your hands.
Your vet will be able to give you a diagnosis and advice on the best course of treatment for your chicken.
They may also be able to give you some tips on how to prevent your chicken from getting sick in the first place.
In Summary
A chicken with one droopy wing can be caused by a number of things, including overheating, crop impaction, and even something as serious as a broken bone.
If you think your chicken may be sick, it’s always best to take them to the vet for a check-up.
Finally, remember that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to your flock’s health!
Preventing Wing Defects
Wing defects, where did they come from? This question is as old as “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Today, the importance of live bird handling and processed carcass quality cannot be overstated as both influence a company’s efficiency and profitability. When processing poultry, the two primary wing defects that must be considered are bruises and broken wings. This topic is interesting because both farm and plant operations can be involved in their origin.
Live operations
In the live broiler grow-out operations, there are instances that can cause overactivity and flightiness in birds that result in wing damage and defects. Violent wing flapping, crowding and piling may result in wing defects, especially as birds become larger and stronger. Birds become quite content with a steady lighting program. Therefore, abrupt movement by growers or technicians, adverse weather, or sudden increases in light intensity can cause the birds to react with heavy wing flapping and piling. Disruptions in the ad libitum provision of feed and water can also cause broilers to become stressed, resulting in increased densities near feed lines upon reintroduction of feed. Today’s broilers have a robust appetite for feed, and thus it is important to have feed readily available to optimize their growth and development while also keeping them calm and satisfied. To reduce stress and wing damage in a flock during an unexpected shortage in feed or water during the grow-out cycle, the following tips should be followed:
- Keep lights turned off, close windows, or keep light levels low so that birds will be calm until the feed and/or water has been restored.
- Minimize the entry of staff and essential visitors so that the flock distribution will remain normal.
- Maintain the appropriate temperature and ventilation in the house so that bird comfort is optimized.
Catching and transporting
The design for catching birds in broiler housing is typically the same in most parts of the world. In preparation, raise or remove all house equipment to allow personnel, machinery, coops, cages, forklifts and other equipment to flow in and out of a house, and prevent situations and conditions that can stress birds. Before collecting, stage birds in smaller groups to help avoid piling. Utilize tunnel fans and cool cells if available to avoid thermal stress. Place the modules or coops as close to the birds as possible. Monitor hand-catching crews for proper bird handling. Do not allow swinging of birds being carried. Ensure the birds are restrained by the feet or back and not carried by the head or wing. Establish a set number of birds (maximum per hand per person). When using automated catching machines, dark-out conditions are the most effective for keeping birds calm. Machines have loud engines, rotating fingers and conveyors that carry the birds to containers. If not well maintained or operated incorrectly, mechanical catching can cause more violent wing flapping, which can result in increased incidence of wing defects.
Monitor quantity (kilograms/pounds) per coop or module to avoid overcrowding. Remember, wing defects directly correlate with light management, bird handling and attention to detail by staff involved in catching birds and operating equipment. Ensure that your company has a maintenance program to repair or remove broken or defective containers. Bad road conditions increase the likelihood of defects. Ideally, drivers should avoid uneven terrain, potholes, sudden stops and irregular driving to minimize bird stress and wing damage during broiler transportation. Training and supervision are keys to good results.
Processing methods
Once at the processing facility, proper live bird unloading and shackling are critical to prevent wing bruises and broken wings. Whether you utilize dump cages, coops, drawers or other modules, it is important that the transfer from the container to the shackles is smooth and designed to prevent physical stress. With dump cages, birds are unloaded onto a series of transfer belts that carry the birds to the shackling area. Ensure these multiple transfers are not abrupt. Avoid large height variations between the conveyors since large drops can give birds the sensation they are free falling, resulting in vigorous wing flapping. Avoid large gaps between conveyors and repair broken or torn belting. Shacklers must follow best management practices. Ensure that both of the bird’s feet are completely at the bottom of the shackle. Birds should not be handled or shackled by the drumsticks as this can result in hock bruising. Harvest lines must utilize properly maintained shackles, guide bars and breast rubs to provide maximum bird calmness. Shackling areas should be darkened using blue, black or other types of lights that create a safe but dark environment.
Improper stunning techniques (over- or under-stunning) may also cause wing damage in the form of bruising, breakage or joint dislocation. An inconsistent stun occurs when conductivity is intermittent and current is reintroduced multiple times. This is the primary cause of damaged (blown) shoulders and has also been associated with bruising and blood splattering on the tenders and breast meat. The development of controlled atmosphere stunning negates the necessity for the dark shackling area as the birds are unconscious prior to shackling. Gas stunning (CO2 is most commonly used), if performed correctly, can also reduce the incidence of wing damage.
Wing defects: Where did they come from?
For companies to determine their wing defect origins, it is recommended to have a comprehensive evaluation program. Focus on three areas to investigate wing defects:
- Review birds upon arrival at the plant straight from modules before dumping or shackling.
- Birds suspended from the shackles should be evaluated after dumping, before stunning, after stunning and after birds exit the bleed-out area.
- We also suggest an evaluation of bird quality after feather removal (picking) since this may help the processing plant staff determine if wing damage is due to preharvest or postharvest procedures.
The information presented is best practices and must be used in the context of your own operations. As a processor, make your adjustments with outcome-based results aiming for quality, yield and customer satisfaction.