My duck has plucked all of her chest feathers

[Mary-Ellen]

I introduced 2 female ducks to my 2 young drakes and one young duck. My young duck really hassles the new duck, Florence. Florence is getting food, but often does not get her share of treats. The other ducks have not harmed her but she does get excluded from the group sometimes. Florence now has no feathers on her chest. The others are molting too but I have not seen them lose so many feathers at once. Do ducks over preen when they are stressed or is this typical molting?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Can you post photos?

 

[Mary-Ellen]

Can you post photos?

 

[Mary-Ellen]

View attachment 2773694

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Could she be broody? It really doesn't look bad. It could be molting as well.

 

[Mary-Ellen]

I don't think she's broody. I haven't seen any eggs and she's not displaying any behavior that I have read about. I see a bunch of pin feathers (I think that's what they're called) on her butt but none on her chest yet. I'm glad to hear it doesn't look too bad to you!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Have you inspected her for any parasites?
When my ducks molt, the pin feathers don't come all at once. So, sometimes there are bald spots. But, on your duck are the missing feathers totally gone or are they broken? If totally gone, not broody, no pests, and you see some pin feathers; then, I'm thinking molting.

 

[Mary-Ellen]

I will check her for pests. Feathers are gone, but no sign of skin irritation or redness. Other ducks are fine. The other duck who joined ours molted and completely changed color. She looked terrible for a while but not bald. Thanks for the help!

 

[Mary-Ellen]

Florence is regrowing all her feathers!