Molting at 8 weeks?

[Quacks and Waddles]

My Call ducklings are now 8 weeks old and just today I found a bunch of small downy feathers mostly in the pool. I have not seen this before and my first thought was Predator, but they all seemed happy and intact. Then, I thought maybe something really scared them in the three hours I was gone and they were flapping and running. I believe that their pen is very secure and there was absolutely no sign of a breach in the fence. Could it be just a start of molting at this age? I’m a little scared...

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I suspect it is normal molting. Especially if it has been hot! I have two older ducks molting right now.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

My Call ducklings are now 8 weeks old and just today I found a bunch of small downy feathers mostly in the pool. I have not seen this before and my first thought was Predator, but they all seemed happy and intact. Then, I thought maybe something really scared them in the three hours I was gone and they were flapping and running. I believe that their pen is very secure and there was absolutely no sign of a breach in the fence. Could it be just a start of molting at this age? I’m a little scared...

Yes, they go through an early juvinile molt. They are just getting their adult feathers.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

Normal