Do mature muscovy drakes always look this gross?

[thumper650]

Not to brag, but my ducks smell great.

 

[Kessel23]

My pied drake keeps himself very clean, here he is mid molt-

White drakes always will look more dirty because the dirt shows up well. I have never had a problem with smell, I actually like the smell of my duck's feathers.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Me too no stinky ducks here except for poop

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

When do Muscovies ducks in Australia and New Zealand molt?

I can’t exactly remember. I think it’s around the middle of the year, definitely after most of the shows which is a pain.

 

[Le Moth]

My poor drake last winter slept under the roost and got pooped on too so I took pity on him and made roost shelves so now him and the other ducks can sleep under the roost And not get pooped on. As for cleanliness my drakes have never looked like that. Yes their feathers can get pretty beat up usually from fighting up against something like a fence, but your drake need something Nutritional maybe start adding some extra protein to his feed. And give him plenty of water to bath in if possible. Bathing means preening which will help those feathers. Maybe try adding some cat or dog kibble to their feed for extra protein Good quality though nothing cheap that is mostly fillers. Feather quality needs a good protein and when did he molt last? Please I am not saying your not taking good care of him he is just needing some extra nourishment to get him sleek and in good shape. White Muscovys seem to have more feather issues than their colored counterparts. I had 3 white females when I first started with Muscovys and their feather quality was much worse at times of the year to where by end of summer all three had wet feather. Then they would molt in the fall and look great for a while and it would start again so evidently they just need a little extra nourishment to keep up.

No offense taken, this is posted for after all I'll get him some good quality kibble when I'm next in town. I'm not sure when he last moulted, it's summer here at the moment maybe he'll moult again soon.

 

[Le Moth]

My pied drake keeps himself very clean, here he is mid molt-

White drakes always will look more dirty because the dirt shows up well. I have never had a problem with smell, I actually like the smell of my duck's feathers.

I'll definitely work on his protein then, that's an easy enough fix and I'll give him a thorough check over
Fingers crossed he moults soon and will look sleek again.

 

[Le Moth]

This is what he gets fed

 

[Miss Lydia]

A good molt and some extra protein should do the trick and swim time to get him preening and taking care of his feathers. Most molt in fall so hopefully he’ll molt then and be a gorgeous boy be sure to post pics again then too.

 

[casportpony]

This is what he gets fed

That calcium is a little to high for drakes.

 

[Gray Farms]

I'd suggest more protein in the feed. Layer isn't really necessary unless they are laying. I feed mine unmedicated game bird grower crumbles year round and the look nice and smooth.