Duck plucked feathers

[RJohnson94]

Hi there,

I'm completely new to having ducks. I have 2 Peking ducks, nearing 11 weeks old. One has plucked all of the feathers out of their front, leaving just down. All the waterproofing is gone. What do I do and why might they have done this.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Do you have pics? Maybe it is molting. Ducks go through lots of molting stages.

 

[RJohnson94]

Do you have pics? Maybe it is molting. Ducks go through lots of molting stages.

I'll upload so e when I get back to them later. Only one has done it though

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Have you seen it plucking its feathers? Could another duck be doing it?

 

[Miss Lydia]

What are you feeding them? Have you seen them eating the feathers? thinking maybe a nutrient def.

 

[RJohnson94]

It's definitely plucking itself. The other one doesn't seem interested. They aren't eating the feathers either. They are on duck grower pellets, and kale/ cabbage leaves, odd treats etc.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

So, you have witnessed it plucking itself?
Just make sure the treats are 10% or less of their daily intake.

 

[RJohnson94]

Yes have witnessed it plucking itself. Here are some photos, it loves my phone so I was avoiding it being eaten whilst taken photos

 

[Miss Lydia]

Possibly over preening? do they have a pool so they can wash and play. Sometime boredom will cause strange behavior too. Even plucking each other.

 

[Ducklingmum]

Maybe use some Mite Powder on him, just in case he is itchy from that. You can also put it on their bedding (fresh bedding though). Also if using on bedding let it settle for a few hours before putting the ducks to bed, it's let's the very fine powder settle down and stops the sneezing!