Feathers growing on duck oil gland ?

[Eringm]

So my duck has wet feather and isn't very good at oiling herself. As I was giving her a bath today I noticed her oil gland has feathers growing out of it and was wondering if that was why she could not oil herself (the feathers were a thick yellow). Are there ment to be feathers coming out of the gland ? Can I trim them so her beak has easier access to the gland ?

 

[Miss Lydia]

So my duck has wet feather and isn't very good at oiling herself. As I was giving her a bath today I noticed her oil gland has feathers growing out of it and was wondering if that was why she could not oil herself (the feathers were a thick yellow). Are there ment to be feathers coming out of the gland ? Can I trim them so her beak has easier access to the gland ?

@Eringm Sounds like the oil gland is working if the feathers had thick yellow on them. You can probably trim them some but just be careful not to go to close and cause bleeding.Now i am going to have to go and look at my ducks oil glad to see if there are feathers growing out of it might be normal. About the only remedy for wet feather I have found is molt. Good quality feed and extra protein [Meal worms or good quality cat kibble]

N0 need to cut feathers back it's normal, checked on my duck feathers on oil gland and yellow wax on them. So I wouldn't clip.

 

[Ren2014]

@Eringm Sounds like the oil gland is working if the feathers had thick yellow on them. You can probably trim them some but just be careful not to go to close and cause bleeding.Now i am going to have to go and look at my ducks oil glad to see if there are feathers growing out of it might be normal. About the only remedy for wet feather I have found is molt. Good quality feed and extra protein [Meal worms or good quality cat kibble]

N0 need to cut feathers back it's normal, checked on my duck feathers on oil gland and yellow wax on them. So I wouldn't clip.

X2

A small tuft of feathers is normal. The feathers are like a wick for the oil. You mentioned bathing her. What do you use to bathe her with?

 

[Eringm]

I just bath her with some warm water. I'm going into town today to buy a small plastic pool for her, will she use it even though she has wet fether ??

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just bath her with some warm water. I'm going into town today to buy a small plastic pool for her, will she use it even though she has wet fether ??

Yes she should and she'll start preening and spread her oils. So that is a good move. Get her a small bag of good quality cat kibble too and offer as a treat. The protein will help and when she has a good molt that will end the wet feather, it always has with any of mine that have had it.

@Eringm

 

[Eringm]

I went in and bought it today, I placed her in it and she started preening herself. She was in there for a whole ten minutes, I'll get a picture of her splashing around in it ! Thank you

 

[Miss Lydia]

I went in and bought it today, I placed her in it and she started preening herself. She was in there for a whole ten minutes, I'll get a picture of her splashing around in it ! Thank you

look forward to a pic. I bet she enjoyed her bath.

 

[Eringm]

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks like she had a good bath. Hope it gets her going with oiled feathers now. All that green I am envious

 

[Eringm]

The tub is much bigger in person than it is in the picture haha. I'll have to tip the water out tomorrow and refill it.