Is something wrong with my ducks?

[Chickens&Dogs_12]

I have two pekin ducks and when they were swimming i noticed that their feathers were soaking up more water. same with my buff goose. they haven't gone swimming for a while now. if that has anything to do with it. they were also getting out of the water and drying of getting back in repeatedly.

 

[acceabex]

I do not know the definite answer to your question, but will chime in and say I've observed the same with mine. When the pond unfreezes, they seem to soak up water quicker, then they preen preen preen (I'm assuming to move the oil around)... It eventually equalizes and they are back to their buoyant dry-ish selves.

Waiting to hear other's responses, as well.

 

[chickens really]

Possibly need to molt here soon..Don't worry about it.

 

[Chickens&Dogs_12]

Thanks!

 

[Pyxis]

Swimming seems to stimulate them to produce more oil and to preen more frequently and spread their waterproofing oil out over their feathers. It's one reason that letting ducklings have supervised swim time when they are very young helps them to become waterproof sooner.

When they can't swim, they don't seem to produce as much oil or preen as much.

I have found that after my birds haven't been able to swim in a while, like during winter, they lose some waterproofing. Usually after they've had access to swimming water for a bit they are back to normal

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here too.

 

[Runnerducks1]

I saw this before in another thread... probably getting ready to molt.

 

[MLChicks]

I agree with the others about swimming stimulates the oil gland and they preen to spread it all over. Mine is not interested in swimming right now too. I assume it's still a little cool. She swam everyday in the summer. Couldn't wait to jump in when I let her out to free range.