Fur rash or disease?

[casportpony]

I believe she's getting her teenage feathers! @Miss Lydia

You didn’t have feed for them for a whole day? Poor wee things! But yes what your seeing is they are transitioning from duckling down to starting to get in their feathers.

I agree.

 

[ahiru]

Miss Lydia is probably right they are just getting their adult feathers, but keep an eye on them. Whatever detergent you use on your towels could become an irritant once it heats up from your heating source. Animals can get allergic to things just like humans.

The fur on the one in the photo looks much worse than the other アヒル, translated as far as I can see as "domestic duck". The other two, アイガモ, also translated as "domestic duck" don't really have a problem at all. Thank you!

 

[ahiru]

I agree.

I didn't write clearly enough. Feed was always available. The problem was they wouldn't eat it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They all have different stages of development. If your worried it’s a health issues maybe consider a vet. They can do a through check up and relieve any fear of sickness or disease. You can also add a poultry vitamin to their water to help them through this stage of feather growth.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Try adding some plain (non-sweetened) yogurt with their new feed for a day or two. Not only does it taste great, but also improves their gut bacteria. I agree, they're probably just now starting to shed their baby fluff so adding some dry or cooked rice and/or split peas (not beans if feeding uncooked) to their feed (or as a treat) for a few days could be helpful too, as they provide key amino acids for feather growth.

 

[ahiru]

Same feed they had before you ran out? Can you get them outside for sun an exercise that should perk up their appetites . Eyes look clear? No raspy breathing? They can look weird when going through that stage of losing down and feathers are beginning to grow in can you see any prickly Stubbs yet?

The feed has been different from the first which they loved. I was shocked how quickly they went through the first bag! After reading forums I tried duck and chicken feed with water and vegetables, then a different kind of baby bird feed. Now today a 4th kind arrived. But the feed and eating don't seem to be a problem now--unless they are related to the fur which I am concerned about.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Don't worry, this is normal and what they do when they turn into adults. You are a good duck parent!

 

[Cayuga momma]

So you ran out of normal feed, but they had veggies and stuff to eat and now they aren't eating their normal feed as much?
Think of it like giving candy to kids. They are going to want to eat the veggies now instead of normal feed. They will eventually start eating well again.

 

[ahiru]

Same feed they had before you ran out? Can you get them outside for sun an exercise that should perk up their appetites . Eyes look clear? No raspy breathing? They can look weird when going through that stage of losing down and feathers are beginning to grow in can you see any prickly Stubbs yet?

As far as outside, it has been quite cold. Even my balcony has had a cold wind. Today might have been better but I was out all day. But I agree getting them outside would be helpful. I'm trying to balance that with the need to keep them warm.

 

[casportpony]

The feed has been different from the first which they loved. I was shocked how quickly they went through the first bag! After forums I tried duck and chicken feed with water and vegetables, then a different kind of baby bird feed. Now today a 4th kind arrived. But the feed and eating don't seem to be a problem now--unless they are related to the fur which I am concerned about.

I don't think it is related to feed, but if you are really worried, try switching back to the original feed. You might also consider cleaning their brooder several times a day as I believe excess poop could cause some feather loss.