Call ducks with wet feather,

[Mccluckers]

Hello, my two ducks have wet feather on the underside of there bellies and chests. It has been happening since they have been with the chickens and eating the chicken food, and the pond has had a lot of algae in it (don't know if this is related) any way I have now separated them again and they are eating there duck food, this doesn't seem to have made a difference and I don't know what I can do now. I have also checked their oil gland and it doesn't seem to be clogged/infected.

Any advise?

 

[DemonicFowl]

This should help https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/294673/wet-feather-how-can-i-fix-it.

Is the water clear of any possible oil contaminants like oil or gasoline. I don't know if your pond is private or not so I figured I toss that in. A muddy environment can cause wet feather too.

 

[Mccluckers]

Yes the pond is just a little pool I dig for them, it is just filled with the garden hose. The pen is anything BUT muddy at the moment, I really just don't know what us causing it.

Thanks for replying.

 

[Orca5094]

How old are they and are they currently moulting? The belly/chest area can get pretty bare during a moult, at which time they are not waterproof in that area. Could that be what's going on? Do you have pics?

Also, this can happen if they have been kept in really muddy and/or dirty conditions. That can and will affect feather quality on their bellies from them lying in it all the time. Just putting all my thoughts out there! I don't think it would have anything to do with them eating the chicken food since that is what alot of people feed their ducks.

 

[Mccluckers]

They are six months old and not molting, I try to keep their house clean but I find it much harder because they have wet feather so when they go in at night they are wet therefore making the shavings wet. Any suggestions? They don't look soggy like some others on BYC but the surface of their feathers is just coated in water. Thanks for your reply

 

[Mccluckers]

So guys the duck now has 2 really soggy patches both sides just behind the legs, could lots of algae in the pond have done it? Thanks

 

[DemonicFowl]

Have you tried cutting them off from swimming water and misting them with a water filled spray bottle (to get clean). Wet bedding will cause soggy legs.

 

[Mccluckers]

The bedding is kept dry now, I think I will try changing the pond water and see if that makes a difference.