How do I get my ducks to have healthier feathers?

[Beepersmom]

The water doesn't run off my duck's feathers at all. Their feathers get soaked quite easily. It doesn't seem right for a duck. What can I do to help them? They are muscovies, and I've only had them a few days.

They have lots of clean water, all they can eat buffet of layer pellets, clean hay to sleep on, and a clean pen. Should I give them some supplements or a tub of sand to dust in or something? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

they may have what is called wet feathers in a duck. It comes from either poor nutrition, but it sounds like you are getting them good nutrition, or from parasites, or a lack of preening because of a plugged oil gland by their tail. What to do? Give your duck bath using dawn soap. Wash his feathers thoroughly and rinse off. Dry his feathers with a hair dryer on warm. This will get rid of dirt. Especially around his oil gland as the gland may be plugged. ( by tail) You may have to do this 3-4 times, but it will work. Usually a duck gets over wet feather by the time he molts again and gets new feathers. But, can you wait that long? that's the question. Good luck. I hope I have helped you