Ducks preening alot!

[CarolinaQuackers]

THis might be a silly question but do ducks over preen so much that they pull more feathers out than normal? We've looked them over for mites, but don't see any. They are 8 weeks going on 9. Do they preen more if they are handled more? Or stressed? Dry skin? Diet? Just want to make sure we are raising healthy duckies!
THanks!

 

[Raenh]

They preen a lot to keep their feathers oiled and in good shape. Babies seem to do it more at times cause of the white stuff that covers their feathers as they grow in, i think it helps them to grown in faster when they pick off the white bits and they're spreading the oils over their feathers as they grown in.
Speedy tries to help Sugar with that, but I think sugar hurts a little cause they're growing in, so she squeaks and runs.

 

[Abraeri]

They may just be going through a molt. After they get their first feathers (juvenile feathers), they will molt again soon after to get their adult coat. Can we see pictures?

 

[chickens really]

That's all normal..They won't go through a juvenile molt till between 3 and 4 months old. That's when they get their adult plumage.