Itchy Ducklings

[jennysbrood]

Hello all ! I have 3, 2 week old Buff ducklings. I have only raised chickens, not ducks and so I am unsure about them. My ducklings seem to be itchy and the more they preen themselves the itchier they seem. Maybe this is normal behavior for ducks but I thought I should ask in case they came from the feed store where I picked them up from a special order at 2 days old with mites or lice or the such ? I use GardStar Garden and Poultry Dust on my adult hens a couple of times a year should I put a little on these ducklings in case they do have mites or what have you or are they too young ? They are kept inside our house in a brooder box and it is clean. I hope somebody might be able to give me some advice on this and maybe recommend a good, helpful duck raising book because my chicken books don't have much information at all on ducks. Thank you for your wisdom and help !

 

[Isaac 0]

What's the temp in your brooder? What bedding are you using? Are they getting a bath every few days? Do you see any external parasites on them?

Ducklings will preen to an extent, but if its constant its something that should be looked into.

 

[jennysbrood]

Thanks for replying to my question. I have not measured the temp but the ducklings are comfortable, we are using flake pine shavings, as for a bath they regularly get into their drinking water bowl, and we checked for parasites like you suggested and couldn't see any under wings vent area or chest. I can see and feel the tiny points of their feathers coming in, would that make then seem itchy ? Maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing. Ducks act so much different than chickens we are seeing already. Their are so big already. The brooder box will be cleaned today and new shavings put in should I go ahead and dust the ducklings with that garden and poultry dust or is it not safe to do so ?? I appreciate your time.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Yes feathers coming in will make them itchy and extra preening. Mine just started. The best book I know on raising ducks is Storeys Guide to Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread. You can find it on Amazon or usually in TSC. I still read it from time to time.

 

[jennysbrood]

Your ducks in the picture you have are beautiful. Thank you for replying, I welcome all the advice I can get. Hopefully the seems to be itchiness is just their feathers coming in and not anything else. You or the other person never mentioned anything about the dust to put on them if it is safe or not at this age or on ducks in general ?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I don't use it but I have never had an issue nor do I keep chickens. I have found that if they have access to swimming water a few times a week, they will keep themselves clean.