HELP! (GRAPHIC PICS) ALL FEATHERS PLUCKED OUT

[MallardMomx2]

*Graphic Pictures*
Long story short,
My baby mallard ducklings (now 6 weeks old)...who I very recently found out were all drakes..are being picked on by their dad. I’m obviously already trying to rehome them. Today I go out the coop and dad duck plucked out all of one of his poor babies feathers I of course immediately separated dad duck from all the others and he is now in a seperate coop until I can find homes for my babies.
As for the poor baby- I immediately gave him an epsom salt bath and applied a heavy layer of hen healer to his wounds. Is there anything else I can do to help him heal properly and quickly? To quickly regrow his feathers? I feel terrible..please help!

 

[PirateGirl]

He might not regrow feathers until he molts, but ducks have more mini-molts and feather growth throughout the year than chickens, so hopefully it will fill in pretty quickly. Just keep an eye and make sure nothing looks to be getting infected over time (the skin looks pretty irritated) and make sure the other ducks aren't picking at his bald spot. Drakes can be mean to each other, unfortunately. I'm glad you are able to separate the bully for now.

 

[MallardMomx2]

He might not regrow feathers until he molts, but ducks have more mini-molts and feather growth throughout the year than chickens, so hopefully it will fill in pretty quickly. Just keep an eye and make sure nothing looks to be getting infected over time (the skin looks pretty irritated) and make sure the other ducks aren't picking at his bald spot. Drakes can be mean to each other, unfortunately. I'm glad you are able to separate the bully for now.

Thank you very much for the speedy response. Your information is really helpful! Would you suggest to continue to reapply ointment during this process?

 

[PirateGirl]

I think you should watch it. I am not familiar with the specific product you are using, but I would consider using an ointment until the skin itself looks healthy and healed. I do not think you need to keep using it the whole time until feathers return.

 

[sourland]

Unless the skin becomes more irritated, I would no longer apply anything. It doesn't look too bad, and you have cleaned everything up quite nicely. Luckily he was not seriously injured. Adult drakes this time of year can be a bit nuts.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

When I zoom in... the feathers that are still there... look fairly frayed like the barbs are missing that hold them together.

Maybe just from preening... but I would be sure and check for mites or lice, as that is most often when I see that type of feather damage.

How do you end up with all drakes?

I agree, he will probably recover well and I would avoid extra ointment, allowing it to dry up and heal itself if possible.

 

[nightowl223]

*Graphic Pictures*
Long story short,
My baby mallard ducklings (now 6 weeks old)...who I very recently found out were all drakes..are being picked on by their dad. I’m obviously already trying to rehome them. Today I go out the coop and dad duck plucked out all of one of his poor babies feathers I of course immediately separated dad duck from all the others and he is now in a seperate coop until I can find homes for my babies.
As for the poor baby- I immediately gave him an epsom salt bath and applied a heavy layer of hen healer to his wounds. Is there anything else I can do to help him heal properly and quickly? To quickly regrow his feathers? I feel terrible..please help!

Personally, if the one in the second picture still looked like that after the bath, I would definitely put something like Bluekote (or the cheaper knockoff, Blue Lotion) on the places with the torn skin, or if that isn't available, use a triple antibiotic ointment like we generally have in our human first aid kits - just be sure it has NO painkiller, avoid anything with -caine in the ingredients! Until those spots have scabbed over, they are areas where infection could set in unless they're covered with something.

 

[Anime2lover]

When I zoom in... the feathers that are still there... look fairly frayed like the barbs are missing that hold them together.

Maybe just from preening... but I would be sure and check for mites or lice, as that is most often when I see that type of feather damage.

How do you end up with all drakes?

I agree, he will probably recover well and I would avoid extra ointment, allowing it to dry up and heal itself if possible.

Same way toy end up with all roosters ;(

I completely aggree with the others, let him be but keep an eye out for other things on his skin.

 

[MallardMomx2]

Thanks everyone! I ended up having to seperate this baby from its siblings as they were picking on him as well, poor guy. He’s very bruised today. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery

 

[Anime2lover]

Thanks everyone! I ended up having to seperate this baby from its siblings as they were picking on him as well, poor guy. He’s very bruised today. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery

Good luck, hope he recovers well