Is this normal?

[Sadiew]

Hi my Ducklings are about 5 -6weeks old now and I have noticed their wings are getting rather bald I can see they are growing their feathers in their tails etc and can feel ones popping up over their bodies, do the wings go a bit bald before feathers grow there? The skin is nice and healthy pink and no signs of injury, I am worried they will get sunburnt. This is my first time having ducks and they share my coop with chickens and they all seem to get on happy.

 

[desertdarlene]

I don't really know if that's normal with domestic ducks, but I thought I would give you a bump so that others can see this post and maybe help you.

My experience with wild ducks is that this is not normal. Mostly, when they start to feather, they get really feathery on the upper wings, breast, and belly first. Their back is usually still fuzzy at that age. But, I've never seen baldness on a healthy duckling. Of course, other ducks (or the duckling itself) could be picking/scratching at it and it won't necessarily be bloody.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
When they finally start to develop the wings themselves grow at a high rate. the fuzz/feathers are farther apart so they do look a little bald the cover feathers really don;t start until the flight feathers are well started, Does this make sense to you?

 

[Sadiew]

Thank you Desertdarlene for bump
Thank you Goosedragon for reply and yes making sense to me, thanks again.

 

[DuckLover2399]

Yes they do. I was so worried when my babies wings started to get bald. 2 weeks later she has all her feathers lol

 

[Going Quackers]

Yeah it looks a bit worrisome that inbetween stage but they'll fill in..

 

[Sadiew]

Oh thank you both so much you have put my mind at ease now