Ducklings have some balding spots on their backs/shoulders.

[merkgerves]

I have two Bali ducklings, similar to Indian Runners, that are about three weeks old. For the last couple weeks they've been fur on their shoulders and back seems to be getting thinner and thinner. I'm not sure if new feathers are coming through or if it's something in their feed. I'm giving them organic chick feed. I'm hoping it's totally natural.

 

[ChickenToes]

Either their adult feathers are coming in, or they are picking on each other. Try keeping an eye on them to see if they are pushing each other around with their bills.

 

[merkgerves]

It must be new feathers. They have plenty of room food, water, space to run around.

 

[chickboss]

X2, new feathers. Both my Kahkis and now my Muscovies have all gone through this stage. It almost seems as if they are growing faster than their feathers can come in, so they have patches of skin showing.

LOL, get ready for them to GROW! For mine, so far, 3 wks is the turning point where growth just goes off the chart.

 

[merkgerves]

Well, that's a relief and makes sense. The bigger of the two is the balder.

 

[vlapinta]

Mine are goimg so fast I swear they change every time I check on them! two of my call ducks woke up with half their faces while with feathers!!

Vicki

 

[Mom 2em All]

I agree with the new feathers- I can almost see them growing when I look at mine. The went through a baldish stage too and seems that one day I put them in the bath tub to swim and took them out with feathered tails and chests. It is just amazing how fast they grow.

 

[Amiga]

Whenever I read "chick feed" I have become conditioned to asking (so please forgive me if I sound like a broken record) how much niacin is in the feed? And do the ducks get out where they can eat bugs? Chick feed has about a third of the niacin ducklings need, according to things I have read in Storey's Guide and here on the forum. Niacin deficiency can (and there are always exceptions) cause nerve damage and other problems.

Bugs are a source of niacin - hard to define exactly how much, but the general idea is that if they are foraging, they will probably get enough niacin (depending on where they forage and for how long).