Muscovy Drake is not waterproof - need help

[happyvalleyherbals]

Hi, after giving the neighbours two ducklings last year when I got my two, two days ago those two ducklings came back to me as 4!!
A duck, drake and two younger ones.
They were all put down on the dam and when I got home from work checked on them. Poor old 'Ping' the drake was sodden, wet and cold.

Every heard of a duck having get a hair dryer to dry him off?

He didnt mind it either.


Put him down by the dam again today to see all the other ducks and once again he was dripping wet and cold and extremely muddy feathers. Yet another hair dryer job.
No more trips to the dam for him!!

He never had a dam at his previous place, but a big paddling pool. The other 3 are happily waterproof, I cant get near them, they havnt got off the water im sure.

Can anyone tell me how he can get his waterproofing back????.

 

[rainplace]

In Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks pg 245, Dave Holderread talks about chronic wet feathers. There can be several causes, a plugged or infected oil gland or heavy mite infestation, or feathers covered in a foreign substance.

I'd first check out the oil gland. If it is clogged and/or infected you'll need to put warm compresses on it and give an antibiotic.

I googled chronic wet feathers and found this site:

http://www.callducks.net/duckswetf.htm

and am still searching for more sites.

 

[rainplace]

I found this in a thread about wet feathers at http://groups.google.com/group/sci.agriculture.poultry posted by Iridesa

> Common cause for wet feathers is a clogged or infected oil gland, heavy
> mite infestation, or foreign substance in swimming water. Oil gland is
> located at the top base of the tail. Little feathers there should look
> very oily. If gland is clogged, massage gently several times daily with
> warm compress. Oral antibiotic may be Rx'd by vet for infection if
> present.

> To prevent above cause(s) provide clean fresh water for swimming to
> prevent mites and foreign substance from getting on feathers.

> Other cause(s):
> Duck has been washed with or been in water with soap, this removes the
> protective coating and disturbs barbs of feathers; not allowing them to
> hold air.

> Duck has not been allowed swimming water, thus is not preening to keep
> feathers supple.
> Barbs get broken or are pulled apart.

> Corretion- Time, for both causes above the duck will preen and get
> feathers into shape

> Ducks feathers are worn from an abundance of treading by drakes.

> Massive mite infestation.

> Correction- Time, for both causes above feathers are damaged beyond
> preening repair. Duck must molt to regain good feather structure. See
> Vet for mite infesttion if mites are present. Look for tiny spots on
> feather shafts and or skin. Check duck house for tiny red mites at
> nite...nests are best place to look for mites if you have em.

> Note- waterfowl feather structure: Each feather is connected together
> sorta like a zipper. The zipper or barbs can be zipped back together if
> not damaged. This is what waterfowl do when they preen. The barbs must
> be keep soft and supple, this is what the oil from the oil gland does.
> (like putting hand cream on so ones hands so they don't get chapped) If
> the oil gland isn't working or duck is not afforded swimming water (bird
> won't preen much), feathers become dry, brittle and break. Once damage
> occurs to the barbs the duck will no longer be "water proof" no matter
> how well the duck has oiled and or preened. Air held in by the feathers
> is what keeps the duck "dry" not the oil. The oil gand works on supply
> and demand. If no water to swim in...no need to preen, no oil is made or
> gland gets clogged from under use.

> Hope this helps

 

[happyvalleyherbals]

Hi Rainplace, thank you, thank you.
Ive just read through the info you provided and will have a look at his oil gland in the morning. Didnt think about that.
I havnt seen him preening/cleaning yesterday or today so that maybe the problem.
Didnt see any mites.
His flight feathers were cut which havnt grown back. They and his tail feathers are now mud coloured as he was sloshing on dams edge. Did think of putting him in the tub and washing him off. But more drying to do.

Ive put him in a 3/4 covered cage to help keep him warm and put a lamp shining in which he is close to. I dont think I got all the underfeathers quite dry and it is chilly tonight. Hes one spoiled duck.

thanks again for your help.
Will check out things in the daylight.

 

[rainplace]

I'm interested in know who it turns out, so please keep us informed. I'm new to ducks so this is a learning experience for me. Dave Holderread mentioned that you may not be able to see the mites, however it seems odd that only would would be having that problem if it was that major of an infestation. Not sure though. This the drake you had given away and just now got back, right? Then maybe it could be.

I think DE can get rid of mites, but I am not sure. If so (someone else please pipe in) you should sprinkle it in all their bedding.

 

[Le Canard de Barbarie]

Quote:
Why? It's obvious that he likes to bathe.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
I haven't seen a post by Iridesa in years! She knew a LOT about waterfowl and wrote very clearly.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Remember also that Muscovies do not have oil glands that work as well as mallard derived ducks. I noticed my juveniles have very water proof feathers but the adults look downright "wet to the skin" and beraggled when they take a bath. Right now my adult Scovies are also starting to molt and that just makes it worse being that the older feathers are already worn.

 

[rainplace]

Goosedragon, that's a usenet archived post from 2001 I think

I'm a little upset how google decided to archive usenet, but I'm also happy that someone is archiving a lot of that old information.

I just love the internet... it can be such a beautiful thing.

 

[rainplace]

How is Ping? I've been wondering about him.