Wing/feather problems? Advice needed

Thank you. We're thinking of starting an earthworm or mealworm population, and also growing amaranth. Our main problem is where to find earthworms and mealworms due to the somewhat remote location. (Amaranth shouldn't be too hard, though.) We live in a highly agricultural area, but only on a commercial scale, so no one is feeding their poultry worms. It's not low technology, just low availability.

The other problem is that she is inexplicably skittish. She will SCREAM if you try to catch her. She freaks out if you try to offer her anything, no matter how calm and gentle you go. She will not even touch the egg, or any high-protein treat we offer, even if we gently toss it near her and then back away. The other ducks will eat it before she even has a chance to inspect it.

We do have a few more ducks than we need/want, so I'm now thinking we will just not keep her. I can't stand to see her like that. I will definitely increase the protein for the other ducks, though, so this does not happen again, and thank you both for giving me some tips on that!

I love the idea of growing your own worms. They are so expensive! I order my meal worms online, and they are cheaper than in the store, but it is still a lot of $$$. Some ducks can be very hard to treat individually, I have pretty tame ducks that will eat out of my hand, but if I catch them and try to feed one while holding her, she will refuse to eat until I put her down. They are very proud ducks.

Good luck with your protein in the future - it can be tricky! Too much as ducklings can cause deformities, but not enough as an adult can cause significant problems too. I think that is mostly why I depend on a commercial feed - it takes the guesswork out of it. I am tempted to make my own - and I might some day, but not right now. I sell their eggs, and that more than covers the cost for their feed and treats. I like that they pay for themselves

Mine don't yet pay for themselves, but that's a goal I'm working towards. I'm glad yours do!

My girls love to eat lentils. They don't need to soaked because they don't swell. Sometimes i buy in bulk online and sometimes I buy the small 1 lb bags from the grocery-- whichever is cheaper.

as a high reward treat I'd also like to suggest cooked potato squashed flat. I usually steam mine but also have given them as baked potatoes.

Wow...lentils are 26% protein, not far after soybeans, which I wouldn't feed. Great idea! I'll see if I can supplement the ducks' food with that.

I love the idea of lentils too! Thanks for the tip!

Update -

We're still juggling ideas around and trying to figure out a permanent diet, but for now they're eating commercial feed, which has plenty of protein. Skylar is doing way better, and looks perfectly normal now! A few of the others had a mild case of wing drooping, but they're fine now, I think.

Skylar before:



Skylar after (and she even was flying all over the property for a few days):

I currently have a seven wk old duck with drooping wings. I have noticed the wings of young ducks droop a little as they grow up, when the flight feathers aren't long enough to tuck in properly. But I have never seen them this droopy before. I feed them dumor brand starter/grower and she eats plenty of mealworms treats each day.

HannahDuckLover said:

Update - We're still juggling ideas around and trying to figure out a permanent diet, but for now they're eating commercial feed, which has plenty of protein. Skylar is doing way better, and looks perfectly normal now! A few of the others had a mild case of wing drooping, but they're fine now, I think. Skylar before: Skylar after (and she even was flying all over the property for a few days):

Click to expand...

Glad your duck is doing well!

Thanks! I'm so glad it didn't turn out to be a permanent thing.