4wk old duck smells weird!!!

[Newduckmom_20]

Hello!! I have three ducklings now and they are about 4wks old. Recently I've noticed a smell coming from their chest. If you know what mildew smells like, that's kind of what they smell like. The smell seems to be only on their chest and I'm not sure if that's normal at their age. I was thinking it might just be hormones or something but they are white ducks but their chest looks like it's always dirty and doesn't seem to fully dry due to them lying down. During the day I keep them outside in the grass since the weather has been super nice recently and I allow them to bathe everyday. I'm not sure if anyone else has had this problem but it smells kind of bad and the smell stays on your hand even after washing it a few times!!! Super weird. Please let me know if you guys have experienced this before and what I should do.

 

[Isaac 0]

How much space do they have to roam during the day, and what are you feeding?

 

[Newduckmom_20]

How much space do they have to roam during the day, and what are you feeding?

Well when I'm not outside I keep them in this temporary area so predators can't get to them. The area is pretty big and for the most part they like to just chill out. When I'm outside they get my whole backyard which is pretty big. I'm feeding them this duck feed by Purina

 

[Isaac 0]

They seem to sit around a lot when in the pen correct? Because excessive laying down will cause their belly area to become worn and uncared for, and eventually may start to smell like in your case. To encourage productivity when outside and natural preening habits provide plenty of space with a nice size pool for them to bathe in, and to promote good leg growth start adding a supplemental niacin source to their diet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This will help. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/page-5#post-22641776

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I think some niacin would help as the guy in the picture is sitting on his elbows.

 

[Newduckmom_20]

They seem to sit around a lot when in the pen correct? Because excessive laying down will cause their belly area to become worn and uncared for, and eventually may start to smell like in your case. To encourage productivity when outside and natural preening habits provide plenty of space with a nice size pool for them to bathe in, and to promote good leg growth start adding a supplemental niacin source to their diet.

Well I have been feeding them niacin supplements which is why I thought it was weird but I will definitely give them even more room and see if there are any improvements! Thank you!!

 

[Newduckmom_20]

I think some niacin would help as the guy in the picture is sitting on his elbows.

They seem to sit around a lot when in the pen correct? Because excessive laying down will cause their belly area to become worn and uncared for, and eventually may start to smell like in your case. To encourage productivity when outside and natural preening habits provide plenty of space with a nice size pool for them to bathe in, and to promote good leg growth start adding a supplemental niacin source to their diet.

It has been a bit hard since there seems to be a hawk that has been flying around my house. So I need to get some stuff to keep the hawk away which is why when I'm not outside I put them in this makeshift enclosure.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Better have a top of somekind over it hawks will fly right into an open pen.

 

[Newduckmom_20]

Better have a top of somekind over it hawks will fly right into an open pen.

Yeah which is why I've been keeping them in a specific area when I'm not outside but i guess the area might be getting to small since they grow so fast! Also do you think I should wash them with some dawn soap to get off whatever it is? Since now I'm giving them more room to run around in?