Losing feathers

[Amiga]

I don't think I increased protein for the juvenile molt. If you don't go overboard it may not hurt, but I cannot say yay or nay.

Glad it seems to be the normal process.

 

[DeCanard]

I have heard of giving them cat food for good feather condition during their molt if you are showing. Even so, it was to be given in small amounts.

 

[Mum]

Oh, what an awful thought! I only wanted a couple girls for eggs, but bought four to increase my odds! I hear at least one with a loud quack, but cannot tell them apart yet. Although they are friendly with me, eating out of hand, following me around where ever I am working, coming when I call to them, they don't allow me to touch them, so picking them up would be traumatic. Guess I didn't handle them enough when they were tiny. I love them, but my sense is to let them be the wild animals they are—the two cats will sit in my lap and sleep with me.

Thanks for the advice on extra heat at night. It sounds like the down beneath the feathers remains to keep them warm. They sure love the cool, rainy days anyway!

So, how will you give them periodic health checks?

 

[JoyAnna]

So, how will you give them periodic health checks?

Gosh, Mum, being new to this duck world, I didn't know I was supposed to "give them periodic health checks". I feel that if I am watching them and interacting with them daily, that I would notice if they displayed anything that indicated a health problem, or injury. Then, of course, I would find a way to catch and inspect them more closely. Isn't that enough?????

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Ducks hide illness very well and you may not see any signs until it is very close to too late if not too late. Always best to be able to hands on all birds minimum once a month.

 

[CalBells]

Ducks hide illness very well and you may not see any signs until it is very close to too late if not too late. Always best to be able to hands on all birds minimum once a month.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but what sort of things should we be looking for during these health checks? What would be a sign of a problem, that wouldn't be obvious just by watching them in their daily activities? My girls are only 5 weeks old today, and I am always watching them for signs of problems, being a worry wart

They are pretty tame, 2 of the three let me pet them, and the third will come up to me and beg for treats, but runs when I lay my hands on her. It is no problem to pick any of them up, since they are always underfoot, though none of them like it! I know to check their feet for bumble foot, and I've been watching as they get their first big wing feathers to make sure none end up with angel wing, but what else should I be on the look out for? Thanks!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I pick them up, feel their body when I do so. I can tell if someone isn't eatting enough. Look at their eyes, nares making sure they are clear. Check feet for cracks and injuries, check feather condition, and check their oil gland to make sure it is not blocked.

 

[Amiga]

I pick them up, feel their body when I do so. I can tell if someone isn't eatting enough. Look at their eyes, nares making sure they are clear. Check feet for cracks and injuries, check feather condition, and check their oil gland to make sure it is not blocked.

For what it's worth, I follow a similar routine. Periodically pick one up, and feel her feathers, actually inhale to detect any weird odors (a clean runner duck smells nice, kind of like egg white to me). See if anything seems out of place, or lumps, or swellings, or sensitive spots, toe problems, eye or ear problems.

 

[Nyowpotopop]

Periodic health checks are actually standard procedure for most pet owners... I know I do it for my dogs and rabbits all the time. Every few days I will pick them up to feel weight and make sure they're used to it (even my big dogs) check things like eyes ears and paws, fat around the ribs, teeth & mouth (beak in this case), nose, fur condition, heart rate, gently palpate their abdomen a little, move their limbs to feel for stiffness and make sure they're all around fit.

It let me find something was wrong when one of my rabbits began loosing weight rapidly due to old age and got quite skinny.... But because of the fur I would have never known if I hadn't been putting my hands on her regularly to know what was her normal weight and it also let me know when she began putting weight back on and I could level off her high-calorie diet. She's now a couple years past her "expected" lifespan and still active and healthy.
Also by keeping my animals used to being handled it makes thing easier when one gets hurt. My big dog (65lbs) recently got bit in the leg at the dog park and we had to carry her up the apartment stairs after the vet appointment and she was quiet and tolerant of it. I have seen lots of animals go bonkers when picked up and cause more injury to themselves and others because they're scared of it.

I would say pick up your ducks regularly and feed them treats while they're touching you. Peas are apparently a big hit (just thaw some frozen ones). Find a treat they love and once you know they like it don't let them have any without being very close or handled.
Do this sort of thing occasionally whether or not they look healthy because knowing how a healthy duck feels is more important then knowing how they feel when they're unhealthy... If you know how a healthy duck feels you'll have a comparison for when one doesn't feel well anymore.

 

[CalBells]

Thanks so much! This is all very helpfull info. I am a new duck mama, but have been reading and preparing for a long time, and really try to do a good job with my three girls. I had stopped trying to pick them up since they had started to really protest and I had read in other places on the forum that they usually never like it and to just be happy that they like being near me. I guess I will make an effort to pick them up still, and try to get them to let me, and even if they don't like it, continue to do so regularly. They are still growing so much, but I can really see how knowing what they should feel like, will help me notice when/if they don't feel right. My past pet experience has been mostly with cats and dogs, who all liked being pet and picked up, even begged for it.