Duckling with little to no down.

[Kholts]

I have 2 week old Ancona baby that I assisted hatched as it pipped upside down & was not progressing. It eats, drinks & is part of the group.

I noticed it is growing slower than the other 7 & disproportionately. It’s head is normal size with its body looking compacted. I am leaning towards a spine deformity as it also does not seem to enjoy swimming though it enjoys water (I let the babies swim for 5-10 min periods everyday). It will normally swim for short periods & then sit on the cinder block & bathe itself.

The other issue it has is while the other ducklings stay fluffy & duckling like in the water this one ends up looking like a drowned rat. I will attach photos below they are a week old already. I will get more resent ones up soon.

Has anyone had a duckling that had no down? Is it a condition that has a name I can research?

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's adorable. I've never seen a duckling without down. I'd make sure this little one doesn't get chilled when swimming and has a nice warm area to dry. Have they started preening yet? once they start swimming the preening starts and they will get their oil gland going and they will be able to oil their feathers down. Hopefully that will help.

 

[Kholts]

It's adorable. I've never seen a duckling without down. I'd make sure this little one doesn't get chilled when swimming and has a nice warm area to dry. Have they started preening yet? once they start swimming the preening starts and they will get their oil gland going and they will be able to oil their feathers down. Hopefully that will help.

It gets towelled dry & has a warm area afterwards with the others. They do preen while & after their bath.

I call it the “ugly duckling” as bad as it sounds. Even dry it’s just not vibrant yellow as the others. Definitely dull looking.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bless well we all know how the ugly duckling turned out so hoping the same for this little one. please keep us updated.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

My smallest Call Duck, Faith, had very thin down starting around a week old. I would notice down floating around in the air and water and I suspect it was hers because her skin was visible in some places. Her flock mates had thicker down and they would also shed but it was at a much slower rate. She's always been petite and the smallest. She did feather in just behind the others, like a week behind them, but she feathered in nicely. I believe they're coming up on 9 or 10 weeks old now. She's becoming more confident and assertive. Whenever I would sit and watch them, I would notice that she would preen herself in a way that seemed a bit rough, but she was doing it to herself and didn't seem bothered by anything

 

[Kholts]

My smallest Call Duck, Faith, had very thin down starting around a week old. I would notice down floating around in the air and water and I suspect it was hers because her skin was visible in some places. Her flock mates had thicker down and they would also shed but it was at a much slower rate. She's always been petite and the smallest. She did feather in just behind the others, like a week behind them, but she feathered in nicely. I believe they're coming up on 9 or 10 weeks old now. She's becoming more confident and assertive. Whenever I would sit and watch them, I would notice that she would preen herself in a way that seemed a bit rough, but she was doing it to herself and didn't seem bothered by anything

That is good to know. I am keeping these ducklings until they are completely feathered out to figure out who I am keeping for breeding purposes. Time will tell to see how this one turns out.