Loosing feathers

[PaddleChick]

Hey There,

I did a search and couldn't find a answer to my problem. I'm hoping you can help.

I have 4 chicks and 2 ducklings, all two weeks old, in a brooder. The Khaki Campbell is loosing feathers at her tail. See the pic. Its not red or inflamed. She does not seem to be bothered by it. A few of the chicks' feathers are sparse, but symmetrical across their bodies, so I think with the chicks it is growing in feathers. She is not at the top of the pecking order, but everyone seems fairly docile with one another. I have peered at it but don't see movement on her skin (trying to figure out if its a mite of some sort).

Brooder conditions: 90F, but with some flux. Feed is medicated chick started (switching to nonmedicated tonight). Plenty of water deep enough to wash her head (and sit in and play in but not drown). Water is changed twice a day. Bedding is pine shavings, changed completely twice a week and "poop scooped" daily.

What is it? What do I do? Many thanks. These are my first ducklings but have raised a chick before and have adult silkies outside who all appear happy and healthy.

 

[Speceider]

Looks like the duckling is being picked on. The bump is the uropygial gland.

Clint

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old is the duckling, seems brooder temps maybe too high which can cause feather picking.

 

[PaddleChick]

Thanks Clint. If she is being picked on, should I let them sort it out with a cautious eye on it?

Miss Lydia--at the heating light, the brooder is usually at 88 due to the two week old chicks. That is probably about 20-30% off the brooder square footage. The far end of the brooder, away from the light, is probably around 70. I only have the thermometer at the light. When they sleep, they sleep near the light, but usually not huddled and usually not directly under the light. It is due to be decreased a few degrees on Friday. Thoughts??

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Clint. If she is being picked on, should I let them sort it out with a cautious eye on it?

Miss Lydia--at the heating light, the brooder is usually at 88 due to the two week old chicks. That is probably about 20-30% off the brooder square footage. The far end of the brooder, away from the light, is probably around 70. I only have the thermometer at the light. When they sleep, they sleep near the light, but usually not huddled and usually not directly under the light. It is due to be decreased a few degrees on Friday. Thoughts??

If your brooder isn't in a drafty area, even the chicks don't have to be that warm 85 at the most. and as long as ducklings can get out from under heat source are probably fine, looking closely at the ducklings skin can you see any red areas? someone posted last week their duckling had some scabs on it's side and come to find out the chicks that they were brooding with the duckling with were pecking on it. Might not be the case here but even ducklings will do it to each other when bored.

 

[PaddleChick]

Thanks. I'll dial down the temp a bit. I saw nothing red or bloody or scabby this morning. I'll take a close look again this evening and under a bright light to see if I can see anything else. I'll watch them closely too. Do they usually resolve their order and settle down? I'll put in some "stimulus" to entertain them this evening too. Maybe that will help. I'll post more pics if I see anything new.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks. I'll dial down the temp a bit. I saw nothing red or bloody or scabby this morning. I'll take a close look again this evening and under a bright light to see if I can see anything else. I'll watch them closely too. Do they usually resolve their order and settle down? I'll put in some "stimulus" to entertain them this evening too. Maybe that will help. I'll post more pics if I see anything new.

Thanks for your help.

Chicks can hurt ducklings because their beak is sharp so that you have to keep an eye on, ducklings usually work out their pecking order pretty easy compared to chickens. chickens if they see blood can cannibalize. Not meaning to scare you but it does happen even as chicks. you could try adding some very fine chopped romaine lettuce to their water but anytime you offer anything other than their starter always offer grit in a separate bowl. an unbreakable mirror can be useful I'm sure you can come up with some ideas too.

 

[PaddleChick]

Thanks. Those are great ideas. I was going to also add a few plastic balls I have (designed for my cat) that I can fill with crumble so it dispenses as it rolls. I'll add some more sticks and hiding spots too.

I'd rather be scared and separate than come home to a cannibalized duckling.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks. Those are great ideas. I was going to also add a few plastic balls I have (designed for my cat) that I can fill with crumble so it dispenses as it rolls. I'll add some more sticks and hiding spots too.

I'd rather be scared and separate than come home to a cannibalized duckling.

Me too, keep us updated and have they been for their first warm swim yet? It's so much fun to watch them play in water.

 

[PaddleChick]

Update! This morning, she looked much better. It appears as if little feathers are growing in now! I did dial down the temp a bit and separated ducklings and chicks. Now there are a few highly upset chicks and the ducklings appear very confused. The duckling and chick brooder are side-by-side and I swear they're talking (loudly) and plotting a reunion.

Here's the pick from this morning--its hard to see, but at the tail area, its fuzzy now and it had been bare. Do you think this is the case--feathers growing in?