Help: Duck loosing feathers right before winter!

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SillyQuacker

SillyQuacker

In the Brooder
6 Years
Mar 18, 2013
13
1
22
Ontario Canada
So my duck is loosing feathers kind right under her wing (it looks like the image below, yes I know thats not a duck). I'm fairly new to duck ownership but from what I've read its either due to boredom and she's jut picking at her feathers, or from over mating (she lives with no other ducks currently so that can't be it) or she's just moulting although I don't see why she would loose feathers as soon as it started snowing outside.

I just like some help figuring out whats going on and if this is anything serious.

Also if it is because of boredom what would you guys suggest for keeping her entertained?

Thank you.




 
SillyQuacker said:
So my duck is loosing feathers kind right under her wing (it looks like the image below, yes I know thats not a duck). I'm fairly new to duck ownership but from what I've read its either due to boredom and she's jut picking at her feathers, or from over mating (she lives with no other ducks currently so that can't be it) or she's just moulting although I don't see why she would loose feathers as soon as it started snowing outside.

I just like some help figuring out whats going on and if this is anything serious.

Also if it is because of boredom what would you guys suggest for keeping her entertained?

Thank you.




Click to expand...
It could be molt, how old is she? does she have any other poultry she is living with? if not boredom could be culprit, loneliness another. Check her good for parasites, which is not likely if she has bathing water but still a good idea. Mites and lice you can google it and see what your looking for. My ducks just finished up molt and I still have one chicken finishing up so it may just be molt. I'd give her a good quality feed with extra protein for good feathering, mine love dried mealworm as a treat and great source of protein, also you can add a good poultry vitamin to her water to help her
through this.
welcome-byc.gif
 
Hello, thanks for the reply! :)


She's just over a year old, she turned 1 at the beginning of october. She's not living with any other poultry right now but she surprisingly gets along with my cat and they hang out together lol. She always has water available to drink and a separate little tub to bath in. Her diet consists of cracked corn, fruits, veggies and anything she can dig up from the ground. Perhaps adding a bit of protein to her diet will help. As for lice and mites i'll look into that and make sure she's clear.

Thank you for your help!
wee.gif
 
I give my ducks a little dry cat kibble when they are molting, and at other times when I want them to have a protein boost - this time of year worms are hard to find.

I also give mine a base diet of organic poultry layer feed, and supplement with vitamins during times of stress.
 
Last edited:
Yes, I had a Rouen that was stuck in a molt since late Spring. She looked horrible and I was super worried since it was taking so long. Tossed her about 10 pieces of cat kibble and I swear she finished up overnight.
 
Thats a good idea, I try avoiding giving her the other animals food because I was worried it was too fatty for her but I suppose a small amount won't hurt. She does have an electrolyte powder that dissolves in her water, but she hasn't gotten any lately, she only took it when her sister was sick and I wanted to avoid her catching anything. Perhaps giving her some especially when its cold out would be smart.

Thanks for your suggestions! :)
 
I'll definitely try that out, I'll also pick her up some meal worms as a treat until she gains all her feathers back.


Thanks for the recommendation!
 
I think making sure she gets a good balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, etc. is important. I think in the summer when there are many sources of food around, she is getting more of what she needs, but I feel that perhaps there was a quick drop in the number of kinds of foods she could forage. Maybe get a bag of flock raiser for the late fall and winter to make up for that, or look into some good quality and good variety food from other sources. Mother Earth News has at least one good article on coming up with your own balanced feed program for your flock.
 
Hello,
I have a similar problem. In the last like 2 days, by 7 month old drake has been loosing feathers on his chest. What is the cause and what is the solution?? Help please..
 
Janay said:
Hello,
I have a similar problem. In the last like 2 days, by 7 month old drake has been loosing feathers on his chest. What is the cause and what is the solution?? Help please..
Click to expand...
Probably a light molt. poultry vitamins will help boost his immune system while going through this and good quality feed with some extra protein like cat kibble, Meal worms will help. But the feed is most important since it's formulated for poultry.
 

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