Molting?

[livingwithjane]

I've read that ducks molt twice a year, once at the end of winter, and once in the middle of Summer. Well, mine seem to be molting now, in October. They are about 10-12 weeks old. (We've had them for two months, and got them from TC as babies. Could be younger, but they got their milestones early, if that is the case.)

Is this typical? I'm worried about stress, malnutrition, illness, etc. With winter coming, I want them to have all the insulation they need.

 

[casportpony]

I got a bunch molting too!

 

[KaleIAm]

Me, too!

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

My chickens are molting hard. My yard looks like several pillows exploded. And my house rooster has my place looking much the same. It's been a hard molt for them.

 

[Fuchsia]

Mine are molting too!

 

[casportpony]

Have you all entered the molting contests?

 

[casportpony]

Official BYC Contest - Post Your Best (Worst) Chicken Molt Pictures - 2020

Unofficial BYC Other Fowl Molt Contest - Three Prizes!

 

[aart]

Do adult ducks have a full molt twice a year, unlike adult chickens who only molt once a year??

 

[TomCahalan]

They are about 10-12 weeks old.

Molting is also part of the growing up process. To go from ducklings to juveniles they molt, starting at around 8 weeks. That is what yours are going through now. Then to go from juveniles to adults they molt again, starting at around 18 weeks.

 

[livingwithjane]

My ducks are a mess! Daisy has a completely bare chest and neck.