duck feet

[ruralmom]

I have call duck that have a very large run outside. They have alot of tree cover and day time access to kiddy pool of water and several rubber feeder of water as well. I have notice several of them have the edges of the webbing of their feet very dry and cracking. Not bleeding but kind of looks like dried up leather. The ground does not have harsh material on it just dirt with a few rocks and they can get into the water at any time. Should I take action? and what action would that be. Pedicures?

 

[Amiga]

What kind of trees? MIght there be something in the leaves or needles that is drying the feet?

What feed do they eat?

Might you be able to upload photo's? It may be no big deal, but difficult to say without seeing it.

 

[ruralmom]

the trees are siberian elms. No leaves or needles to damage the webbing. They have fresh alfafa several times a week with cracked corn and laying pellets. Nutritional deficiency? I can get photos this weekend.

 

[Amiga]

From what I have seen and read, ducks vary quite a bit with what kind of diet works best for them.

Could it be they are eating more cracked corn than is optimal for them? I would be tempted to smear a dab of olive oil on their feet just to give them a quick boost toward healing up. . . . It may be that this is fairly normal, though my runners don't seem to have that.