Inside the duckhouse - Is this ok??

[DrChickenKev]

Hi again,

I've uploaded a couple of pics inside the duckhouse for you all to see and hopefully offer some feedback on.

I'm trying to use the deep litter method and was about to add a few more shavings to the bedding.

However, I saw these little white specks that look like snow flakes but we have no snow and they dont melt....??????

Anyone, any ideas what it is? Good, bad?? Time to panic????

 

[HEChicken]

I see these around the areas my chickens spend time too. I think they are something to do with the shaft of the feathers peeling off a little - perhaps a form of poultry dandruff? My birds appear otherwise healthy so I haven't worried too much about it.

 

[DrChickenKev]

Quote:
Thats good news, I can just cover with more bedding then

 

[UrbanFarmerGreg]

yeah it kind of looks like when a bird is molting and the shafts of the feathers lose the outer casing.... I guess it could be like duck dandruff... if it is in there poop its probably ingested when they preen themselves and if its on everything it could just be from them cleaning and flapping a lot

 

[Kathy1]

I think it is the outer casing from the feathers, check and see if there is any new feather growth. If so you might see this same stuff around the feathers.

 

[nurse_turtle]

I would use a pitchfork to stir and fluff up the litter that's in there and then add more. The ducks will stomp it down. I believe I stir mine about every 3-6 months.

 

[Zoomom]

I think Kathy1 is right. I used to help my Quaker parrot molt by getting the shafts off of new feather growth, and it looked like dandruff or snow. (She enjoyed it as she didn't have a mate to do her head.)

 

[DrChickenKev]

Thanks all, thats a relief too... They are all moulting just now, ducks, chickens, kids, er.....

Anyway, the litter has been in there about 2 months I think, not heard about stirring it up before, maybe give it a go...

Just gotta get the rats out the chicken house now.... Grr....