Duck is eating his own feathers!

[lissygirl]

Help, my four month old is eating his own feathers. He has always eaten his feathers all his life, but now he is getting ready to molt and he's losing a lot of feathers, therefore he is eating A LOT of feathers!! He doesn't pull them out, but if they fall out or if they happen to come out while he is grooming he gobbles them up before I can get them away from him. Is this normal and is it okay for his digestive system??? He gets plenty of feed with 16% protein and lots of attention. His coop is large for him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Help, my four month old is eating his own feathers. He has always eaten his feathers all his life, but now he is getting ready to molt and he's losing a lot of feathers, therefore he is eating A LOT of feathers!! He doesn't pull them out, but if they fall out or if they happen to come out while he is grooming he gobbles them up before I can get them away from him. Is this normal and is it okay for his digestive system??? He gets plenty of feed with 16% protein and lots of attention. His coop is large for him.

Needs more protein, try dried meal worms or tuna in water or salmon in water feeder fish/ good quality cat kibble. If you go with cat kibble make sure the food is small enough for him to eat. I'd say a small amount probably would 't hurt but we also don't want him clogged up. I have seen my ducks/chickens eating a few feathers that's when I offer more protein and during molt they need the extra.