Feather issue

[Justducky21]

Not sure if this post should go here or under ducks, but I'm desperate.

I have 3 hens and a Drake approx 2 years old have had them for 6 mos. 2 of the girls and the Drake is fine & happy with life.

My one girl who struggled with bumble foot and has since recovered from bumble now seems to have a joint issue or ligament issue - 1 week plus so she isn't walking much. She uses her wing alot and sits alot however seems to be getting better..I hope. My plan is to wrap her ouch in some in some flex bandage to increase her mobility. But there still is one issue I can seem to figure out she had since stopped preening and doesn't swim as much, not sure why but she does have a baseball size bald spot with some wierdness going on ... My husband said to use some blue koat like we have on the rabbits it's done nothing does any one have any idea what this balding spot is associated with or why she'd stop preening/swimming and start looking dirty.

Any ideas and general help for the leg and balding spot is welcomed I'm stumped.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your photos are hard to see what is going on. To me it looks like new feathers coming in, is she being picked on? Sounds like there's some underlying problem with her, and she's not feeling well, maybe she has an infection from the bumblefoot and needs some antibiotics, just a guess though.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Is the bald spot on the back of her neck? Even though you have two more hens I have heard drake s can pick a favorite and over breed just the one. Could also be why she is struggling if she is being mounted constantly.
If she isn't swimming I wonder if her oil/preen gland is clogged. Not sure how to fix that. Let me tag some peeps.
@Ravynscroft
@Miss Lydia
@casportpony

 

[Ravynscroft]

The bald spot could be from being the fave of the drake...

As for the rest, have you increased her Niacin to help with her legs?

Also check for lice or mites... and have you ever dewormed them? Any type of parasite, internal or external can cause them to feel off and stop preening... if she isn't preening then she won't float well, so bathing will decrease...

I have 2 silvers that are very prone to worms, every time they get overloaded, they stop bathing and preening...

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd do the niacin and worming just to rule out parasites check for external parasites too most of the time water fowl don't get external but if she isn't bathing and is run down she is prime target for internal and external. Keep a watch on her wound too because is it's the least bit open she is subject to flies they will lay their eggs and next you'll have maggots which can be life threatening.

Where is this place at? Like shawluvsbirds says she maybe being picked on by the rest of the flock they know when one isn't feeling their best and will try to eliminate them.

I'd also check into some oral antibiotics if your seeing swelling redness and heat in her foot/leg area. You'll have to go to a pet store and by fish antibiotics now which are same as what we use to buy over the counter online and at feed stores. @casportpony would be a good one to direct there. Or vet always rec but not always feasible.

I would rec you go with Nutritional/Brewers yeast for the extra niacin right now, 1 Tab per cup of feed and all can have it. or a B complex tablet crushed and mixed into a gallon of water. Just make sure the niacin in it is at least 150mgs.