Duck problem...Wet feather? Diarrhea? Am I doing this right?

[krusiducks]

I promise pics when the weather allows. Michigan has been dreary, rainy, snowy, muddy, and repeat. Ugh!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can see your babies on you avatar, pretty!!

 

[krusiducks]

The 4 in the avatar were our original TSC random picks that we got as babies. Since then we’ve added 4 more, including the 2 new Buffs. Just came back inside from filling bird feeders. It’s cold and rainy, the quackers were watching me every step of the way. When they weren’t playing in puddles that is.
I see that you have Buffs, runners and Muscovy. Can you tell me your favorite?

 

[Miss Lydia]

No. I love them all and they have very distinct personalities Muscovy are flock oriented but not to the extent my Runners and Buffs are my Muscovys will go off by themselves and forage, then you can look out the window and there go the Runners and Buffs in single file doing everything together. The Buffs were hatched with the Runners and are officially part of their clan.

 

[PirateGirl]

I suspect now that she has been thoroughly cleaned and has regular access to clean water and bedding that she will stay relatively clean. The more she bathes and preens the more she will be able to oil her feathers. Any tattered feathers will not be replaced until molt, but ducks seem to have a few small molts throughout the year and don't seem to have quite the massive balding blowouts that chickens do. Keep an eye on her, but I suspect she will just continue to improve.

 

[chickens really]

I believe nothing was wrong with her but unsanitary conditions and a bit of TLC now will help her along her way to recovery.

 

[krusiducks]

Gosh, I hope so. I just brought her in to dry her off. My other 7 were playing in the rain and she was up by the house soaking wet. We towered her off and blow dried her and put her in the coop. Happy to say she doesn’t bite that hard. She has remained in the coop and hasn’t joined the others. I’m hoping she knows what is good for her and will take this opportunity to be dry and rest....or am I kidding myself? Should I be moving her inside our house?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Does she have a good healthy appetite? As for staying inside out of the weather one can only hope. lol They aren't the brightest birds in the barn yard and would probably rather be with their flock than inside where it's dry. Gotta love them.

 

[krusiducks]

Yes, she has been in the mix for “snack time” and I can tell she has eaten some of the feed in the coop. And she’s a big duck, bigger than my male Pekin. Just think it’s odd that she’s not joining her wet feathered friends. Although it’ll be getting dark here in a couple hours, so they will be joining her soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh good hopefully she is resting and generally getting over being neglected. I’d seriously consider worming them just as precaution since they weren’t kept in the best conditions. Especially if your in the south, on my phone I can’t see where anyone is. Wet feather will most likely resolve after molt.