Help needed, please. Drake bald spot. Molt or something else?

[ADuckingMess]

Hi all! I have a drake Rouen and three females. The drake has formed a bald spot at the base of his neck down between his wings. No other area is impacted and all the ladies are okay.
We are located in North Dakota and I feel it’s a little early for a molt but I could be wrong.
The only thing I have ruled out is fly strike.

This is only my second year with ducks so the above may be a silly question.

TIA!

 

[MikeWB]

Given your location and the season, you’re right to think it might be a little early for a full molt, but not entirely out of the question. Male ducks, especially Rouen drakes, can begin their eclipse molt as early as late spring if the weather warms quickly or their light exposure shifts.

Here are a few possible causes for the bald spot:

1. Early molt: Molting often starts at the base of the neck and along the back. Even if it's a bit early, some ducks do start shedding contour feathers in patches, especially after a hard winter.


2. Mating wear: If your drake is actively mating with the females, he could be getting overzealous or just physically worn down during mounting. Even though this is usually more common in hens, it can still happen in drakes if the positioning or frequency is rough.


3. Preening or rubbing: If he’s been rubbing on fencing or nesting areas, it could be a wear patch. This might happen if he’s irritated or bored, or the enclosure layout causes friction when moving around.


4. Parasites: While you ruled out flystrike (good call), external parasites like mites or lice can cause feather loss. These aren't always visible without a very close look, and nighttime inspections can help spot them more easily.


5. Nutrition: A deficiency in protein or certain vitamins (like B-complex or biotin) can contribute to feather loss. If the feed hasn’t changed but the birds are now foraging less (especially in early spring), that could be a factor.



You could try:

Boosting protein (like supplementing with mealworms or a grower feed short-term).

Checking at night with a flashlight for any signs of mites.

Monitoring to see if the patch grows, or if new feathers are emerging.

Making sure his environment isn’t causing any physical wear or stress.

 

[MikeWB]

Based on what I see:

The area is showing new pin feathers (also called blood feathers) coming in, which is a strong indication that your drake is indeed molting.

There’s no obvious open wound, infection, or scabbing, which is a good sign.

The yellowish skin tint and slight redness might just be irritation from feather loss or from preening behavior, not necessarily an infection.


What this likely means:

Your drake is going through an early molt, likely triggered by environmental cues (temperature swings, daylight hours, etc.).

It seems localized now, which is typical at the start of molt, especially in the saddle area where feather wear is high.


What you can do:

1. Leave the pin feathers alone — they’re sensitive, and plucking or brushing them can hurt.


2. Increase protein in the diet temporarily (e.g. switch to a grower feed, add mealworms, scrambled eggs, or flock blocks).


3. Watch for signs of infection: swelling, foul odor, or pus. None appear visible now, but keep an eye out just in case.


4. Dusting with food-grade diatomaceous earth (if you're concerned about external parasites) is optional, but I’d say it’s not necessary unless you actually see mites/lice.


5. Monitor behavior – if he seems active, eating, and social, it’s likely just molt.



You’re doing a good job catching this early. I can help you set up a quick weekly checklist to track his progress.

 

[MikeWB]

Duck Molt Monitoring Checklist (Drake - Rouen)

Location of molt: Base of neck down between wings
Start date: [Write in the current date]


---

Week 1

[ ] Is he eating and drinking normally?

[ ] Active and social (not isolating)?

[ ] Any signs of infection (swelling, pus, bad smell)?

[ ] Are pin feathers increasing in number?

[ ] Any bleeding or broken blood feathers?

[ ] Any new bald patches?

[ ] Any signs of mites/lice (check at night with a flashlight)?


Notes:


---

Week 2

[ ] Feathers still regrowing in affected area?

[ ] Any new areas losing feathers?

[ ] Any signs of picking or self-plucking?

[ ] Skin irritation better, worse, or the same?

[ ] Temperament: calm, aggressive, lethargic?


Notes:


---

Week 3

[ ] Are pin feathers maturing (hardening, casing flaking)?

[ ] Behavior still normal?

[ ] Any signs of stress from hens or the environment?

[ ] Any nutritional changes (protein supplements helping)?

[ ] Still parasite-free?


Notes:


---

Week 4

[ ] Feathers fully in, mostly in, or still regrowing?

[ ] Skin healthy underneath?

[ ] No new feather loss elsewhere?

[ ] Back to full preening and bathing behavior?

[ ] Would you consider the molt complete?


Notes:

 

[ADuckingMess]

Given your location and the season, you’re right to think it might be a little early for a full molt, but not entirely out of the question. Male ducks, especially Rouen drakes, can begin their eclipse molt as early as late spring if the weather warms quickly or their light exposure shifts.

Here are a few possible causes for the bald spot:

1. Early molt: Molting often starts at the base of the neck and along the back. Even if it's a bit early, some ducks do start shedding contour feathers in patches, especially after a hard winter.


2. Mating wear: If your drake is actively mating with the females, he could be getting overzealous or just physically worn down during mounting. Even though this is usually more common in hens, it can still happen in drakes if the positioning or frequency is rough.


3. Preening or rubbing: If he’s been rubbing on fencing or nesting areas, it could be a wear patch. This might happen if he’s irritated or bored, or the enclosure layout causes friction when moving around.


4. Parasites: While you ruled out flystrike (good call), external parasites like mites or lice can cause feather loss. These aren't always visible without a very close look, and nighttime inspections can help spot them more easily.


5. Nutrition: A deficiency in protein or certain vitamins (like B-complex or biotin) can contribute to feather loss. If the feed hasn’t changed but the birds are now foraging less (especially in early spring), that could be a factor.



You could try:

Boosting protein (like supplementing with mealworms or a grower feed short-term).

Checking at night with a flashlight for any signs of mites.

Monitoring to see if the patch grows, or if new feathers are emerging.

Making sure his environment isn’t causing any physical wear or stress.

Thank you so much. I am mostly concerned about parasites.
Your suggesting on the hard winter/flash spring and mating are accurate. I have had to send him to “jail” in a separate full run with coop to allow them all some space.
I will supplement the feed because I am sure I have stressed him out separating him from the ladies.

 

[ADuckingMess]

Based on what I see:

The area is showing new pin feathers (also called blood feathers) coming in, which is a strong indication that your drake is indeed molting.

There’s no obvious open wound, infection, or scabbing, which is a good sign.

The yellowish skin tint and slight redness might just be irritation from feather loss or from preening behavior, not necessarily an infection.


What this likely means:

Your drake is going through an early molt, likely triggered by environmental cues (temperature swings, daylight hours, etc.).

It seems localized now, which is typical at the start of molt, especially in the saddle area where feather wear is high.


What you can do:

1. Leave the pin feathers alone — they’re sensitive, and plucking or brushing them can hurt.


2. Increase protein in the diet temporarily (e.g. switch to a grower feed, add mealworms, scrambled eggs, or flock blocks).


3. Watch for signs of infection: swelling, foul odor, or pus. None appear visible now, but keep an eye out just in case.


4. Dusting with food-grade diatomaceous earth (if you're concerned about external parasites) is optional, but I’d say it’s not necessary unless you actually see mites/lice.


5. Monitor behavior – if he seems active, eating, and social, it’s likely just molt.



You’re doing a good job catching this early. I can help you set up a quick weekly checklist to track his progress.

Wow Mike! This is the best check list. Thank you very much. I will use it to monitor and this will help him so much because I can help him!

I will up his protein and food mix because all their increased activity would suggest a need.

I appreciate your caring and empathy for the feathered fiend.