Adult duck with down-y breast feathers?

[CarleeAnn]

I can’t find a picture that does this justice, but my adult duck (born in April) seems to have never developed waterproof feathers on this spot on her chest. I never see her pull out feathers either. Is this normal? The feathers seem like down, like when she was a duckling, and it does get a little wet there so she seems to spend a lot of time preening it more than the rest of herself.

 

[onaharley]

I want to say normal because mine are that way too, I think the fluffiest part on them is the breast’s and belly area.

 

[CarleeAnn]

That’s good to know. I thought so too, I know down pillow and comforters are made from breast feathers! But my other duck isn’t like that so I was a little worried. She’s a happy and healthy duck so I figured it isn’t too big of a problem, but doesn’t hurt to ask!

 

[chickens really]

That is the preening area....They dip their heads down and preen that....that's totally normal...Nice Duck too....