Wet Feather... How can I fix it?

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Bleenie

Bleenie

Wyan-DO's
10 Years
Jul 14, 2009
5,014
103
268
The Beautiful Pacific NW ,WA
I think a few of my Scovies are having an issue with their 'oil production'.. they seem to always be wet looking and i'm sure it bugs them. 2 hens have been like this since i got them but Sidney has been looking downright soggy lately
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Can i fix it somehow?
do i need to give them something extra in their diet?

ETA: most the others are just fine, totally dry & healthy looking.

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2rpuwat.jpg
 
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My duck had the same problem a few months ago. She would get soaking wet and start to shiver. It eventually stoped, now she puts her oil on "correctly". Hopefully someone else can chime in.
 
I'd have to search through all my posts to find what I posted about it before, but I believe you should check their oil gland and make sure it's not looking off. You can take a warm wet cloth and gently massage it in case it's plugged. Let me see if I can find the thread...
 
I don't know for sure. Just thought I read it, and I'd never heard it before either.
I haven't had Muscovies since I was a kid. I am looking forward to getting some from you later this spring though.
 
Here ya go, cut and pasted from a post I made last year.

I'm cutting and pasting this from a post I made a few weeks ago:

I found this in a thread about wet feathers at http://groups.google.com/group/sci.agriculture.poultry posted by Iridesa

> Common cause for wet feathers is a clogged or infected oil gland, heavy
> mite infestation, or foreign substance in swimming water. Oil gland is
> located at the top base of the tail. Little feathers there should look
> very oily. If gland is clogged, massage gently several times daily with
> warm compress. Oral antibiotic may be Rx'd by vet for infection if
> present.

> To prevent above cause(s) provide clean fresh water for swimming to
> prevent mites and foreign substance from getting on feathers.

> Other cause(s):
> Duck has been washed with or been in water with soap, this removes the
> protective coating and disturbs barbs of feathers; not allowing them to
> hold air.

> Duck has not been allowed swimming water, thus is not preening to keep
> feathers supple.
> Barbs get broken or are pulled apart.

> Corretion- Time, for both causes above the duck will preen and get
> feathers into shape

> Ducks feathers are worn from an abundance of treading by drakes.

> Massive mite infestation.

> Correction- Time, for both causes above feathers are damaged beyond
> preening repair. Duck must molt to regain good feather structure. See
> Vet for mite infesttion if mites are present. Look for tiny spots on
> feather shafts and or skin. Check duck house for tiny red mites at
> nite...nests are best place to look for mites if you have em.

> Note- waterfowl feather structure: Each feather is connected together
> sorta like a zipper. The zipper or barbs can be zipped back together if
> not damaged. This is what waterfowl do when they preen. The barbs must
> be keep soft and supple, this is what the oil from the oil gland does.
> (like putting hand cream on so ones hands so they don't get chapped) If
> the oil gland isn't working or duck is not afforded swimming water (bird
> won't preen much), feathers become dry, brittle and break. Once damage
> occurs to the barbs the duck will no longer be "water proof" no matter
> how well the duck has oiled and or preened. Air held in by the feathers
> is what keeps the duck "dry" not the oil. The oil gand works on supply
> and demand. If no water to swim in...no need to preen, no oil is made or
> gland gets clogged from under use.

> Hope this helps
 
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