Indian Runner Duckling, skin issue

[sjallen78]

I wasn't sure which thread to put this under. My Indian runner is 12 days old tonight. Hope was the only one to hatch out of 7 eggs and had some problems, we had to help her hatch due to malpositioned and shrink wrap. Took us a couple days to get dried blood and stuff off her wing and head. We didn't think she would make it, couldnt stand, just lay and kick for 2 days. We'd hold her up but her head would fall over, we gave her water, we didn't give up and at 3 days she was up and running so we got 2 ducklings from a farm to keep her company. Her fur/feathers isn't growing like the others and I'm seeing little scratches almost bloody looking but not bleeding. She went swimming once and now doesn't want to. She uses water from feeder to bathe in. We are using pine shavings. She's not growing as fast as the others but that was expected. You can't see the scratches good, I'll try get better ones later. It's mostly on her wing and under neck and chest. Also, her oil gland was bleeding and she is constantly biting at it. It stopped bleeding and no longer red, it's yellow looking, normal I think. Could she have an allergy to pine shavings or something. She's eating and drinking good. I'll post a few pics but I'll get better one soon. Thanks again.

 

[sjallen78]

These little almost bald spots are all over her. Hard to see when she's laying down.

 

[sjallen78]

Pics after bath

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are you sure the other ducklings aren't chewing on her?
also it's normal for them to have bald spots as the begin to lose their down but to me, it looks like someone is chewing. You've looked them over for mites? asking because you got them from a farm.

 

[sjallen78]

Are you sure the other ducklings aren't chewing on her?
also it's normal for them to have bald spots as the begin to lose their down but to me, it looks like someone is chewing. You've looked them over for mites? asking because you got them from a farm.

The 2 I got from a farm aren't having any issues. The only one is the one I hatched and she had some problems hatching. I checked her and the others over to be sure and the other 2 are fine. She chews on them lol. She's mean to them and they are sweet to her lol. Someone told me it may be the heat lamp. Might be to hot for her. They also said something about her oil glands. She chewed on her back tail so much her oil gland area was red and bloody. It's better now though. She chews on herself alot bit I did notice when I gave her a bath and took her out of the pine shavings for a little while, she seemed to not chew on herself so much. Going to get some wheat straw see if it helps.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Changing bedding would sure determine if that is the problem.
She had a rough start for sure. Might not be a bad idea to also pick up some Poultry cell and put it into their drinking water for a vitamin boost for her especially.

 

[addctd2plnts]

I would guess, based on the others not hatching and the issues she’s had and is having, that it might be a nutritional issue from the mother duck not having enough vitamins or minerals. Stromberg’s Poultry has a vitamin supplement that we put in the water the first 8 weeks, in addition to starter feed. Are you using Mazuri Waterfowl Starter? It’s really the best for ducklings like this. You can order it on Chewy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Also do you know the temp in their brooder? is there a cool area and a warm area?

 

[sjallen78]

Changing bedding would sure determine if that is the problem.
She had a rough start for sure. Might not be a bad idea to also pick up some Poultry cell and put it into their drinking water for a vitamin boost for her especially.

Thank you, sorry for late response, been busy with her lol. I changed the bedding and this morning noticed her back of neck looks raw. I thought maybe she was being picked on like someone suggested but I noticed she's constantly scratching herself. She doesn't have mites, I used some meds just to be sure lol. I did notice everywhere she's scratching and having spots is areas she'll, blood and yolk was dried to her so bad, she couldn't move her wing the first day. Took us a 3 days of dawn and soft baths to finally get it all off without hurting her. Could it be from that.

 

[sjallen78]

I would guess, based on the others not hatching and the issues she’s had and is having, that it might be a nutritional issue from the mother duck not having enough vitamins or minerals. Stromberg’s Poultry has a vitamin supplement that we put in the water the first 8 weeks, in addition to starter feed. Are you using Mazuri Waterfowl Starter? It’s really the best for ducklings like this. You can order it on Chewy.

Sorry for late response, I'm not using that but I will now thank you