Dull, fading feathers???

[bgaribay]

I have two 1-year old ducks, one a drake (black with green sheen, thought he was a cayuga, but too small; he also seems to be too big to be an east indie, so i'm guessing he's a mix of something) and a khaki campbell female. I had them for about 4 months before I had to relocate from Oklahoma to Oregon, and unfortunately could not take them with me. I left them with my parents after building a secure enclosure at their house. I have come to visit several times and am concerned for my female (the campbell). Her feathers have started to fade drastically, and it looks as if many of her big wing feathers are sparsely covered. She lays about an egg a day, and the eggs aren't overly bumpy or thin, so I don't think she has a deficiency. My next guess is mites or lice? I noticed this time that the drake doesn't have as much sheen to his feathers as well. I haven't yet been able to closely examine them for mites or lice (on the agenda today) but I was wondering if anyone has any advice or insight? I think I am going to get some diatomaceous earth to worm them and spread around their enclosure; I don't want to dip them in poison. The female tends to be a bit anxious, and I'm wondering if the drake is too much for her/stressing her out? Maybe there needs to be a few more females? I haven't noticed excessive preening or indication of itchiness, but then again I haven't been here.

Other details that may be useful: My mother had to put straw in the enclosure for the winter due to severely cold nights, and the enclosure is kept very clean/straw replaced at least once a week. The ducks are allowed to free range the yard during the day, have a nice kiddie pool to play in with clean water every other day, eat pellets for ducks mixed with grit, have free range oyster shell and black oil sunflower seeds, and get to forage in the compost for bugs/worms. They also get plenty of vegetation from the yard as well as greens from the kitchen occasionally.

I hate to see my ducks look so drab, so any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have two 1-year old ducks, one a drake (black with green sheen, thought he was a cayuga, but too small; he also seems to be too big to be an east indie, so i'm guessing he's a mix of something) and a khaki campbell female. I had them for about 4 months before I had to relocate from Oklahoma to Oregon, and unfortunately could not take them with me. I left them with my parents after building a secure enclosure at their house. I have come to visit several times and am concerned for my female (the campbell). Her feathers have started to fade drastically, and it looks as if many of her big wing feathers are sparsely covered. She lays about an egg a day, and the eggs aren't overly bumpy or thin, so I don't think she has a deficiency. My next guess is mites or lice? I noticed this time that the drake doesn't have as much sheen to his feathers as well. I haven't yet been able to closely examine them for mites or lice (on the agenda today) but I was wondering if anyone has any advice or insight? I think I am going to get some diatomaceous earth to worm them and spread around their enclosure; I don't want to dip them in poison. The female tends to be a bit anxious, and I'm wondering if the drake is too much for her/stressing her out? Maybe there needs to be a few more females? I haven't noticed excessive preening or indication of itchiness, but then again I haven't been here.

Other details that may be useful: My mother had to put straw in the enclosure for the winter due to severely cold nights, and the enclosure is kept very clean/straw replaced at least once a week. The ducks are allowed to free range the yard during the day, have a nice kiddie pool to play in with clean water every other day, eat pellets for ducks mixed with grit, have free range oyster shell and black oil sunflower seeds, and get to forage in the compost for bugs/worms. They also get plenty of vegetation from the yard as well as greens from the kitchen occasionally.

I hate to see my ducks look so drab, so any help is greatly appreciated!

before you mentioned about your drake looking dull I was going to say possibly over mating of your female. Since he's not looking his best I am not sure, although if your there maybe observe them together and see if over mating might be her problem, I noticed tonight one of my Scovies has thinning feather on her head from over amorous drakes. happens this time of year. Worming probably wouldn't be a bad idea but sounds like they aren't kept in less than nice conditions and usually ducks are pretty resilient about internal and external parasites. maybe a fecal test at local vet? Their diet sounds good too. Most aren't molting, do you know if they molted back in the fall, if not that maybe your drakes problem and once he's over it will be his beautiful self again. If you could post pics of the 2 it would help alot to determine if there is something wrong. And picking up a few more females if your parents wouldn't mind would help you female if it is over mating. usually 2-3 ducks to a drake is a nice number. you could also get some poultry vitamins and put them in their water to see if that would help.

 

[bgaribay]

before you mentioned about your drake looking dull I was going to say possibly over mating of your female. Since he's not looking his best I am not sure, although if your there maybe observe them together and see if over mating might be her problem, I noticed tonight one of my Scovies has thinning feather on her head from over amorous drakes. happens this time of year. Worming probably wouldn't be a bad idea but sounds like they aren't kept in less than nice conditions and usually ducks are pretty resilient about internal and external parasites. maybe a fecal test at local vet? Their diet sounds good too. Most aren't molting, do you know if they molted back in the fall, if not that maybe your drakes problem and once he's over it will be his beautiful self again. If you could post pics of the 2 it would help alot to determine if there is something wrong. And picking up a few more females if your parents wouldn't mind would help you female if it is over mating. usually 2-3 ducks to a drake is a nice number. you could also get some poultry vitamins and put them in their water to see if that would help.

Miss Lydia,

Thank you so much for your reply! I am starting to think she is simply being over mated. Before I left, they had just begun courting, and both looked beautiful. I am attaching photos of before and after to give you a better idea of their current state. The drake (Peat Moss, or Peat for short) still looks relatively good, he just doesn't have as brilliant of a green sheen as he used to. It looks as if some of this feathers, particularly around his sides, are dulling and taking on a brown look with bronze overtones. The female (Perlite, or Perl for short) just looks nothing like she used to. I'm wondering if she has a touch of wetfeather on top of being over mated; it looks like her oil gland is still producing very well, but maybe she's not coating herself enough because she's being given too much attention. I've been watching them closely the last few days; she generally follows him around (he is much bolder and friendlier), but I've noticed she isn't as keen on getting in their pool as he is, as this is where they normally mate. He chases her around the pool until he gets his way. I am trying to give her some time alone in the pool now that I've been observing the behavior, but she gets very stressed if separated from him. I'll need to find a way to introduce at least one more female to them; I feel so bad for my Perl girl.

Would over mating cause a loss of pigment in her feathers? You'll see in the photos that she has lost A LOT of her beautiful khaki coloring to a light, dull buff color. Not at all the rich khaki she once was. She has also lost most of her sweet little crest due to Peat grabbing at her neck and head during mating. I'm now thinking the sparse feathers on her back are from him mounting her. Maybe after a molt and an addition of another female they will both look better; I just want to be able to rule out any health issues. I don't think they molted in the fall because I clipped their wings just before I left in July and now in March they haven't replaced those feathers at all yet.


BEFORE:






AFTER:

 

[Miss Lydia]

Miss Lydia,

Thank you so much for your reply! I am starting to think she is simply being over mated. Before I left, they had just begun courting, and both looked beautiful. I am attaching photos of before and after to give you a better idea of their current state. The drake (Peat Moss, or Peat for short) still looks relatively good, he just doesn't have as brilliant of a green sheen as he used to. It looks as if some of this feathers, particularly around his sides, are dulling and taking on a brown look with bronze overtones. The female (Perlite, or Perl for short) just looks nothing like she used to. I'm wondering if she has a touch of wetfeather on top of being over mated; it looks like her oil gland is still producing very well, but maybe she's not coating herself enough because she's being given too much attention. I've been watching them closely the last few days; she generally follows him around (he is much bolder and friendlier), but I've noticed she isn't as keen on getting in their pool as he is, as this is where they normally mate. He chases her around the pool until he gets his way. I am trying to give her some time alone in the pool now that I've been observing the behavior, but she gets very stressed if separated from him. I'll need to find a way to introduce at least one more female to them; I feel so bad for my Perl girl.

Would over mating cause a loss of pigment in her feathers? You'll see in the photos that she has lost A LOT of her beautiful khaki coloring to a light, dull buff color. Not at all the rich khaki she once was. She has also lost most of her sweet little crest due to Peat grabbing at her neck and head during mating. I'm now thinking the sparse feathers on her back are from him mounting her. Maybe after a molt and an addition of another female they will both look better; I just want to be able to rule out any health issues. I don't think they molted in the fall because I clipped their wings just before I left in July and now in March they haven't replaced those feathers at all yet.


BEFORE:






AFTER:

I'm thinking Pete is Cayuga very handsome too, and once he molts out his last yrs feathers will once again be his gorgeous self. now Perl looks like she is taking some wear and tear from Pete and will benefit greatly from adding another duck to the mix. and once she molts will once again be beautiful. and some of my scovies when it's getting close to molt look like they have a touch of wet feather too. Now when you do add another duck do it slowly don't just get one and put her right in with the other 2, because more often than not it won't work and the 2 original will go after the intruder. give your new girl a space of her own but where they can all see each other, then after a few days to a week start letting her out with them with supervision, offering treats which helps them focus on the food and not so much on each other. There maybe some sparring but hopefully going into it slowly will make the transition for your new duck much easier,.Good luck

 

[bgaribay]

I'm thinking Pete is Cayuga very handsome too, and once he molts out his last yrs feathers will once again be his gorgeous self. now Perl looks like she is taking some wear and tear from Pete and will benefit greatly from adding another duck to the mix. and once she molts will once again be beautiful. and some of my scovies when it's getting close to molt look like they have a touch of wet feather too. Now when you do add another duck do it slowly don't just get one and put her right in with the other 2, because more often than not it won't work and the 2 original will go after the intruder. give your new girl a space of her own but where they can all see each other, then after a few days to a week start letting her out with them with supervision, offering treats which helps them focus on the food and not so much on each other. There maybe some sparring but hopefully going into it slowly will make the transition for your new duck much easier,.Good luck

Thanks so much! Going to proceed with the third duck. Not sure it will be able to happen until May - June, when hopefully the ducks will be making their transition from Oklahoma to Oregon to once again be with me. Appreciate the advice!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks so much! Going to proceed with the third duck. Not sure it will be able to happen until May - June, when hopefully the ducks will be making their transition from Oklahoma to Oregon to once again be with me. Appreciate the advice!

Be sure to let us know when you get them settled in their new home, which will be an ideal time to add a new girl. all getting use to a new home at one time.

 

[bgaribay]

Really great idea. It's going to be a crazy 23 hour trek to get them to Portland, but worth it. I see ads on Craigslist quite frequently for re-homing poultry, I'll have to try to time it just right!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Really great idea. It's going to be a crazy 23 hour trek to get them to Portland, but worth it. I see ads on Craigslist quite frequently for re-homing poultry, I'll have to try to time it just right!