Help, ducklings losing down

[CountryGirl1120]

I need some help. My 6 ducklings from Metzer are losing down on their necks and backs. They are about 2 weeks old and one has a visible puffy spot on her neck that looks really irritated. What could be causing it? Could it be bedding? Vitamin deficiency?

I use old bed sheets as the bedding right now, could it be the dye in them irritating them?

I feed an all flock feed as well, could that be it?

I really dont want it to be something serious, I would hate to lose them.

Anything I can do to help?

I can post pictures if that would help any.

 

[Cherib603]

Pics always help. . Any mites?

 

[CountryGirl1120]

I didnt see any. Of course it looked a lot worse when they were wet, its when I really noticed it. But even dry, I atleast, can tell that their down is still thin on their necks. Will try to get some pics soon. I may be overreacting but I didnt notice anything like this with my first set of 6 ducklings I got from Tractor Supply.

 

[Cherib603]

They do tend to grow SO fast that sometimes the skin stretches faster than the down can fill in. I bet that's what it is.

 

[CountryGirl1120]

They do tend to grow SO fast that sometimes the skin stretches faster than the down can fill in. I bet that's what it is.

Really? I didnt know that. But these ones do seem to be growing faster than the ones I got from Tractor Supply. Thank you for the help. These are the first ones I've had from hatchlings. The ones from Tractor supply I think were already about a week old when I got them. And even these ones now at two weeks already seem bigger than those ones at two weeks. I guess you learn new things all the time. I will still get some pictures when I feed them again here soon. Everybody likes duckling pictures

 

[Cherib603]

Absolutely!!!

 

[CountryGirl1120]

I shouldve taken one at bath time since you cant see it in this picture.

 

[Amiga]

Just to be sure, you could add poultry vitamins with electrolytes and probiotics to their water one night a week for a few weeks - I don't think it can hurt.

 

[chickens really]

Sounds normal too me....Mine get very shabby looking too when losing the down...If they are eating and pooping normal. Still loving life...Nothing to worry about. Add a two handfuls of dry cat food every other day for the extra protein during the feather growth...I am sure they will be fine.

 

[CountryGirl1120]

Thank you both for the advice. They are still very happy ducklings and eat and poop normal so I wont be too worried about it but will look into the vitamins. The cat food, I suppose you give that wet in sort of a mash?