Molting Duckling?

[RocketChick]

I have a single pekin duckling that lives with three chicks. (last one in the store, so only duck there. D: It bonded instantly with the chicks and can never be anywhere without them, same with the chicks without the duck, cute little flock!)

Well it's a pekin female, and it's 3 and a half weeks old....she seems fine and healthy(yay!) but...her chest and belly seem sort of bare....(purple-ish skin with tiny tiny tiny white feathers) and her wings sort of look like that too...

I looked it up and it seems like she's molting? But I didn't know babies did this? I thought they focused on growing up first? Will she still turn into a big white duck? Or a big naked duck(lol) Should I be concerned? Or is this normal for a developing pekin duck?

Thank you! sincerely, worried duck mama!

Btw, her pending name is Honeybee. <3

 

[headred]

They do everything SO fast. Sounds like she is molting. Mine are constantly changing and they are just 3 months old. At 3 weeks, I considered them like teenagers ;-)

 

[JenMoutz]

I have a question along the same line but I'm not sure how to start a new thread...my ducklings are around 6 weeks old and 4 out of 11 are losing their down on their backs and wings BUT the skin is red and looks painful. I also watched them for awhile and they won't get in their pool to swim around like their siblings which also makes me think they are in pain. Is this regular molting or is it something serious? I attached pictures to give y'all a better idea of what I'm talking about. I was able to get a picture of the four in question all in one picture and also included some other pictures so you can see their mother and a few of the siblings. PLEASE HELP!

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[TracyLovesDucks]

Eek, that does look painful. I don't have any experience with scovies, but I'd say that's not molting... it looks serious. I really hope someone can help you identify what is going on.

Vet would be best bet, too.

In the meantime, I'd start researching mites and/or skin conditions ASAP if I were you. And you may want to seriously consider quarantining the 4, it may very well be contagious.

From the pictures, their skin looks at risk of infection. If you do end up separating them from the rest, you could more easily help them keep clean (fresh water baths, veteracyn spray, etc.).

How long has it been going on? Do you have any other animals that might be pecking/biting/chewing on them? Any other unusual symptoms or behavior (like are they eating and drinking normal, energy level, etc.)?

Hoping someone else will chime in.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Do you have roosters in the mix? If so, ever seen them being aggressive towards these ducks?

@Miss Lydia , since these are scovies, do you have any insight for Jen? Ever seen anything like this?

 

[JenMoutz]

Thanks Tracy for the fast reply! These ducks (the mother and her 11 ducklings) are alone in a run separate from my roosters but I did notice a few of the other ducklings picking at them and even pulling out feathers. Could they just be victims of bullying??

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

That would be some pretty intense bullying... poor things. But I suppose it's possible. I'd be surprised it's happening to 4, that seems like a lot to be at the complete bottom of the pecking order.

How much protein are they getting? How big is their duck house? After some quick research, it seems chickens (next best thing to ducks) can peck each other if they're not getting enough protein OR if they are crammed in a space that's too small for them OR if they just have behavior issues. Also, I don't know about ducks, but with chickens they are attracted to raw skin/wounds and will continue to peck even worse at each other. Maybe look into the product Blu Coat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/835236/missing-feathers-mites-pecking-starting-molting
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...s-from-back-at-base-of-tail-bareback-chickens

Any way you can separate them for a while? From the looks of it, they don't seem to be recovering (growing new pin feathers, etc.) and with winter coming, they'll need all the feathers they can get.
I'm trying to learn more about the symptoms of mites, but having a hard time finding anything good.

Again, I am not confident in my abilities to diagnose this issue, just throwing out some ideas. Hopefully someone else will chime in!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Tracy for the fast reply! These ducks (the mother and her 11 ducklings) are alone in a run separate from my roosters but I did notice a few of the other ducklings picking at them and even pulling out feathers. Could they just be victims of bullying??

I can see one of the ducklings messing with one of the others. That is chewing off the feathers, happens when over crowded or not having food out constantly. Can be from boredom too, Get some Blue Kote and apply to those who have missing feathers it will help heal and disguise the wounds. Find the ones that have all feathers intact and you'll see the ones doing the pecking and pulling of others feathers. I'd separate them from the rest.

 

[JenMoutz]

Ok wow I've got a lot to think about! Here are pictures of their run. We were going for the Sanford and sons look and I think we pulled it off. LOL Just kidding...we were asked by a friend if we could take the ducklings since he didn't even know his ducks were sitting on any eggs. Just proof one day he had ducklings running around. His area was definitely not safe for ducklings so within a few hours of being asked if we could take the ducklings we were presented with this troublesome bunch. when they came to us they were only a few days old hence the makeshift run. It used to be the chicken run but now they free range so the door to the shed/coop stays closed. They go in the large dog house at night since we have a lot of predators around. There is a picture of the inside of the dog house that has a shelf so they can sit up top or under. They used to have full access to the run but we had to partition off an area for another momma duck and her ducklings after they killed one of the little guys. First example of aggressive behavior but I figured it was because of their size difference. I've been through the aggressive chicken issues/bullying and that was a nightmare but I didn't think ducks were aggressive like chickens. I'm starting to piece things together and I'm leaning toward bullying but I'm definitely not ruling out mites! I'm not sure how much protein they are getting because I just happen to empty their feed into a container and threw out the bag this morning. But I'll head to the store first thing in the morning and figure it all out. Thank you for all your suggestions...you may not be a pro but they all sound like valid ideas! I've tried googling about this issue but with no luck so that's why I was hoping I could get some answers here. Thank you again for your fast response!!

 

[JenMoutz]

Just saw your post Miss Lydia. Thanks so much for the response. First thing in the morning Ill head out for some blue kote and something to keep these guys occupied beside picking on each other. Thanks again!