duck feather problems

[ZoeS95423]

Hello, I have 2 ducks with feather problems.
I have checked them for ticks, didnt see any, but treated them both anyway, and treat their coop, every other week.
One of them, is a year old cayuga, she is balding, and very greasy looking, the bathes regularly in my pond, which is a regulary, in the ground, man made dug out pond.
Her oil glad looks normal.

The other duck is a 2 year old pekin, when I first got her, her feathers were very... droopy? Looking. I thought maybe it was what she was being fed, as she was only being fed layer mash before I got her. Now she is being fed flock feed (purina) mixed with cracked corn. And she used to just absorb water, but now its only her wings that do. Her oil gland looks normal... but is not oily. Its not irritated looking or anything. Just not oily. She LOVES to swim, but I always fear she will become water logged, and drown. Her wings do not seem to properly clean when she preens herself. they stay a brownish tint, while the rest of her is white.

Does anyone know how to help?

 

[ZoeS95423]

Anyone?

 

[Miss Lydia]

This time of year most of my ducks {Muscovy] are starting to look pretty ratty, getting towards molt time. Their feathers leave alot to be desired, I have a couple that don't even look like their feathers are water proof. But I don't have any that look greasy. I don't know what that could be from. What sex are your ducks? if one is a male maybe he is causing the feathers to come out of your cayuga from over mating. as far as the other one having a brownish tint to it's feathers could it be something in the water like minerals or meatals that are naturally there but stain? Hopefully someone else will be able to help you more. Doesn't sound like their sick though.

 

[Senna95]

How long have you had your ducks? If they haven't molted while you've had them they are probably still dealing with their original feather issues from their previous owner. After their next molt the new feathers should grow in better.

 

[ZoeS95423]

Ive had my cayuga since may, and my pekin since last month sometime.
They are both females.

And for the female will the brownish wings, I got her like that. I know its not from my water because I have other pekins that stay perfectly white.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I agree.

 

[birdboy508]

its probably molting.

 

[Miss Lydia]

About the staining, maybe try washing in Dawn dish detergent, thats what they use on birds that get into oil slicks, it would probably get the stain off it's wings.

 

[ZoeS95423]

Okay, I hope its just molting. Cause my cayuga is just such an ugly duck because of it. you can see her feather"bone" type things, and its almost creepy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Your sure the pekin isn't pulling out her feathers? maybe she needs some extra protein.