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Rosa is doing such a good job! Just look at all of these new feathers! She hasn't laid an egg in two weeks, and it looks like the time off has been really good for her. I can't wait to post a picture of the new and improved Rosa!

She eats a handful of mealworms every day, and as much koi food she can steal from the fish about every day. Do you think that is enough?

I really doubt it. They are under her wings, probably where they rub. The edges of her wings are completely bald. Her head and neck have some thin spots, but they are not bald. The males rarely mate with her - she is a quick runner and rarely gives in to their advances. I have a few other...

:) No worries, I wasn't completely clear. I sure hope she will be ok, there are several spots on her body that have no down at all, and you can see her skin. The new feathers I can see are a real blessing, I love this ugly little duck more than I could have imagined possible.

I added the update to the original post - here is it Update - Rosa hasn't laid an egg for 5 days now, and her pelvis is narrowing. I held her yesterday and a few stiff tail feather nubs came out! (she only had broken tail feathers) It looks like she is starting to molt without intervention...

Update in original message in blue :)

I do use artificial light, but I don't want to induce a molt in all of my ducks if I don't have to. Four of the female ducks have already gone through a full molt a few months ago, and the males still look really well feathered.

She was born September last year, so I don't think she has ever molted. She was this ragged when I adopted her - all of their ducks were. Julia, the duck from the same home, has replaced a lot of her feathers, and looks much better. I thought ducks were supposed to molt in the fall? And also...

Here is a better picture of Rosa. She is the one I'm most worried about because of her size. She is tiny.

It's good to hear he has wintered well, even with bad feathers.

I know they don't help keep them warm, I think it points to how poor quality the rest of the feathers are. They are a little stiff and almost sticky feeling.

Update - Rosa hasn't laid an egg for 5 days now, and her pelvis is narrowing. I held her yesterday and a few stiff tail feather nubs came out! (she only had broken tail feathers) It looks like she is starting to molt without intervention. I will keep an eye on here, our weather is still warm...