6 week old duck doesnt float

[tarrabean]

Hi! So one of my four pekins have had a rough life! She hurt her leg when we first got her an we nursed it back to health. Well once she came outside she hurt it again and didnt walk for about a week and a half. She has finally started moving around but she isnt cleaning herself well so as a result her back end doesnt have her oils and she doesnt float in the water... I guess my question is if there is anything I can do to help her pull her oils so she doesnt continue to be water logged?.. Thanks!

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[Miss Lydia]

Hi! So one of my four pekins have had a rough life! She hurt her leg when we first got her an we nursed it back to health. Well once she came outside she hurt it again and didnt walk for about a week and a half. She has finally started moving around but she isnt cleaning herself well so as a result her back end doesnt have her oils and she doesnt float in the water... I guess my question is if there is anything I can do to help her pull her oils so she doesnt continue to be water logged?.. Thanks!

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Put her in just enough water that she can wash but not float this way she can clean herself but not get water logged she'll start preening once out and begin to spread the oils over her feathers. And if her feathers aren't pristine then maybe consider adding good quality cat or dog kibble to her diet the extra protein will help but molt might be the only way to get her feathers back to normal. What is wrong with her leg?

Welcome to BYC

 

[tarrabean]

We have ger in a kiddie pool where she can still walk. Not sure what happened to her leg the first time but the second time she fell off the ramp into the duck hut. ( we have since put up railings and covered the ramp in carpet so theg cant slip and fall)

When do ducks normally molt? This is our first time with ducks...

 

[Amiga]

My Runners molted at about four months. After that, they each developed their own "schedule" so I have ducks molting from summer through winter, one at a time….

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have ger in a kiddie pool where she can still walk. Not sure what happened to her leg the first time but the second time she fell off the ramp into the duck hut. ( we have since put up railings and covered the ramp in carpet so theg cant slip and fall)

When do ducks normally molt? This is our first time with ducks...

Good for you, sometimes and especially seem Pekins have problems with their legs. So we have to do all we can to protect them from injury, Do you also have a safe way for them to get in and out of the pool, worst thing for her would be to have to jump in or out. But water therapy is a great way to build up muscle after an injury so let her have shallow water first once she begins to preen and get her feather oiled deepen the water. When they have an injury or illness they don't feel like preening and their feathers can really show it. So hopefully she'll begin to take care of her self now and after molt she'll be looking so good you won't be able to tell her from your others. I have Muscovy they molt in the fall. although I did have some molt in winter this year.

Keep us updated on how she is doing.