Angel Wing in Sebastopol Geese

What it looks like

The wing tip rotates away from the body rather than folding neatly along the flank. In a growing gosling you may notice the wing starting to drop or stick out before the twist is obvious. Caught early enough, wrapping the wing and correcting the diet is sometimes suggested, but once the bone sets nothing reverses it.

In a Sebastopol it is easy to miss, because the curled feathers already sit away from the body in a way flat feathers do not. Look at the joint rather than the feathering.

The cause

The widely accepted explanation is growth outpacing the developing wing structure, driven by a ration too high in protein and energy for a waterfowl. Goslings grow fast anyway; feeding them like a meat bird pushes it further.

This is why feeding waterfowl on a plain chicken chick crumble is a bad idea, and medicated chick starter worse. Waterfowl also need more niacin than chickens, and a shortfall shows up as leg problems. Full detail is in the diet post.

Prevention

Slower growth. Use a waterfowl or all-flock ration rather than a high protein chick starter, let them graze as early as they safely can, and resist the temptation to push weight on a growing bird. Grass is the best thing for them and it slows growth naturally.

Since angel wing arises during the growing period, it is a gosling question rather than an adult one. If you buy juveniles or adults you can see the wings before you commit. The care guide covers brooding.

Common Questions

What causes angel wing in Sebastopol geese?

It is generally associated with growing too fast on a ration too high in protein and energy for a waterfowl. Slower growth on an appropriate feed with plenty of grazing is the standard prevention.

Can angel wing be fixed?

Caught very early in a growing gosling, correcting the diet and wrapping the wing is sometimes suggested. Once the bone has set it is permanent. It does not affect the bird's quality of life, and Sebastopols cannot fly regardless.