Duck not eating much

[sophiafur]

My welsh harlequin chip has been losing alot of feathers (he is moulting to his proper colours) but i noticed that he isnt eating too much of his dry food and his neck is like tucked in and his head feathers are tucked up, is this a problem. And any solutions on making dry food taste nicer?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Can you post a pic of Chip? How old is he and what do you feed him? Any other unusual behaviors you've noticed?

From what you described, it's possible there may be more going on than just molting. Since he'll need adequate protein to help him regrow his feathers, you may want to supplement with some of the ideas in this thread.

Have you tried fermenting his feed? I ferment a formulated feed for my chickens, ducks, and geese, and they all love it. Waterfowl like wet food, so it's generally a very easy transition, and it has a number of benefits.

If you haven't already, I'd try to offer a supplement like poultry Nutri-Drench to address possible nutritional deficiencies (and it should help perk him up). Hope Chip's feeling better soon!

 

[sophiafur]

Can you post a pic of Chip? How old is he and what do you feed him? Any other unusual behaviors you've noticed?

From what you described, it's possible there may be more going on than just molting. Since he'll need adequate protein to help him regrow his feathers, you may want to supplement with some of the ideas in this thread.

Have you tried fermenting his feed? I ferment a formulated feed for my chickens, ducks, and geese, and they all love it. Waterfowl like wet food, so it's generally a very easy transition, and it has a number of benefits.

If you haven't already, I'd try to offer a supplement like poultry Nutri-Drench to address possible nutritional deficiencies (and it should help perk him up). Hope Chip's feeling better soon!

Do you have a social media of some sort i could text you on as i have some questions, thankyou for your help

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Do you have a social media of some sort i could text you on as i have some questions, thankyou for your help

I don't, but feel free to ask away here so that other members of the BYC community can also help.

 

[cooingdove]

Do you have a social media of some sort i could text you on as i have some questions, thankyou for your help

u could always send someone a privet message on this site

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

u could always send someone a privet message on this site

Sure, you can - but that means that only that person can see your questions or additional info that may be pertinent, and you also don't know how often they log in or check messages.

 

[sophiafur]

I don't, but feel free to ask away here so that other members of the BYC community can also help.

So chip is 11 weeks and here is a pic of him (it doesnt let me attach photos on this so u have to use a link from insta)

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

And whats fermenting feed? i will look into it is there any other tips

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

So chip is 11 weeks and here is a pic of him (it doesnt let me attach photos on this so u have to use a link from insta)

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

And whats fermenting feed? i will look into it is there any other tips

If you click on the word "fermenting" in my post, it's a link that will take you to a BYC thread on the topic, including instructions. Basically, you add dechlorinated water to feed, allow time for lactic acid bacteria to proliferate, and then you feed the "fermented" feed (which should have a characteristic sour-ish smell) to your happy poultry.

 

[sophiafur]

If you click on the word "fermenting" in my post, it's a link that will take you to a BYC thread on the topic, including instructions. Basically, you add dechlorinated water to feed, allow time for lactic acid bacteria to proliferate, and then you feed the "fermented" feed (which should have a characteristic sour-ish smell) to your happy poultry.

oh no ive realised why he hasnt been eatinf any food, its due to the feeder, he doesnt realise its in there as we made it so its a tub with a pipe in it so they stick there heds theough and eat it, is there any other feeder ideas that doesnt make all the food mush from the rain?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

oh no ive realised why he hasnt been eatinf any food, its due to the feeder, he doesnt realise its in there as we made it so its a tub with a pipe in it so they stick there heds theough and eat it, is there any other feeder ideas that doesnt make all the food mush from the rain?

How about making a shelter/cover of some kind to protect the food from the elements? Waterfowl usually like wet food, so he might not actually mind a bit of rain in it, too.