crusty heads on one week old baby runner ducks

[flackster]

Hi All,

New poster here, but have learned a lot from reading for months.

We have nine baby white and fawn runner ducks who arrived in strong fluffy yellow condition.

After about a week now a few of them look fine, but most of them have a crusty brown look around their heads. Its dry and stiff like hairspray..... Any ideas if this is bad and/or what we should do about it?

First photo shows the issue, second photo is fine duck. Thanks for you help!

 

[TLWR]

Are they getting any swim time or water deep enough to dunk their heads at least?

 

[flackster]

they can dunk about half their heads in the chick waterer.... red bowl quart version. plan is to let them swim in a paint roller tray soon, when no worried about them getting wet\cold\sick.

thanks for the fast reply.

 

[chickens really]

Hi All,

New poster here, but have learned a lot from reading for months.

We have nine baby white and fawn runner ducks who arrived in strong fluffy yellow condition.

After about a week now a few of them look fine, but most of them have a crusty brown look around their heads. Its dry and stiff like hairspray..... Any ideas if this is bad and/or what we should do about it?

First photo shows the issue, second photo is fine duck. Thanks for you help!

They need water deep enough too dunk their heads! Let them swim, they need a bath!

 

[TLWR]

They need access to deeper water. Ducks aremessy and need to be able to clean up. Add some water to you tub, sink, kiddie pool and let them swim a bit. Take them out, towel dry and put back where it is warm so they can finish drying and preen.

 

[chickens really]

they can dunk about half their heads in the chick waterer.... red bowl quart version. plan is to let them swim in a paint roller tray soon, when no worried about them getting wet\cold\sick.

thanks for the fast reply.

No need to be so concerned!
They can swim and will not drown. Use a kiddie pool or your bathtub and fill so they can still touch the bottom a bit. let them swim for about ten minutes and then put back in brooder. they will love you for it!