need help with my old call duck!

[custardthecall]

I have a nine year old call duck called Custard who I have looked after since she hatched, she obviously means the absolute world to me. She has over the course of the last winter become less and less water proof and I have no idea how to help her get her water proofing back. She has been on the same diet since birth and has always been water proof so I don't it is a deficiency. The lack of water proofing has severely effected her health to the point were she can no longer go outside. She is very unwell and any advice would be most welcome.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a nine year old call duck called Custard who I have looked after since she hatched, she obviously means the absolute world to me. She has over the course of the last winter become less and less water proof and I have no idea how to help her get her water proofing back. She has been on the same diet since birth and has always been water proof so I don't it is a deficiency. The lack of water proofing has severely effected her health to the point were she can no longer go outside. She is very unwell and any advice would be most welcome.

I have a Muscovy drake who is 11 yrs old and a Muscovy female who is going to be 11 yrs old in July, my drake isn't water proof anymore, he has been getting in the pool since it's gotten warm and is actually doing some preening which is how they get their feather oiled and water proof. I think maybe their oil gland just doesn't produce the oils like it does when they are younger although my duck[female] is still water proof A way to tell would be to pull the feathers apart and look at her oil gland does it have yellow around it? Your wise to keep her inside on cold days but I'd let her bathe in nice warm water to see if that gets her to preening. also You say she is on the same diet since small but when they get old they may need some help like a good poultry vitamin added to their water. also some extra protein wouldn't hurt. Mine get dried mealworms for extra protein which is what feathers are [protein] Think about this and let me know if you think this is the cause,
1. not producing enough oil to cover her feathers any longer
2. Need to use vitamin therapy to boost her immune system
3. add some good quality protein such as dried meal worm, high quality cat kibble or dog kibble [you may have to put into a baggies and smash with a hammer] I do.

Getting old isn't for the faint of heart but sounds like your Custard is very loved I hope you can help her.

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