New Back Yard Farmer.. Forced Rescue!

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townchicks, my recently widowed mother in law she was unable to care for and feed them and told my wife and i to take them or find a home for them. They were very hungry she may have feed them one a week.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hopefully females

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/ducks.30/

Sounds like they are in good hands now.

 

[Pak Rat]

It's a condition called"wet feather," and it can have various causes.

One of my ducks, Lilikoi, sprained her leg once, and it hurt so bad that for days she wouldn't walk on it and could barely stand, holding herself up with her good leg and just bracing her other foot against the floor at an angle. She had no balance, and didn't feel good, so she didn't preen. She didn't preen for a couple weeks. At first, she still got bath time, she enjoyed it and it got her off her leg, but after a while she was no longer waterproof, and water would pour from her when I lifted her from the tub. Getting her dry took longer and longer until I cut off all water access. After she healed, she went through a partial molt and started preening again. It helped, she can have bath and pool time again, but she's still not as waterproof as she used to be. After the annual molt she'll be back to normal.

Having little or no water access can inhibit a duck's instinct and desire to preen, and that could have a similar effect to Lilikoi's injury. An infection of the oil gland or a parasitic infestation on the skin can make preening ineffective, and also cause wet feather.

If I had to guess, I'd say the black duck's condition may have initially started because of an injury, since he/she still has some residual lameness. Either that, or a lack of water at their previous home. Or both. Either way, it'll pass.

You've got a big heart to home these poor ducks. They are possibly the messiest creatures under the sun, but they are such fun and joyous animals. I wish you the best and I hope you form strong bonds with them!
I have to ask, what are their names?

 

[Kkrista123]

Yes it is wet feather! Once she molts it will be fixed on it's own (usually). Some people have solved the problem by only allowing baths every 3 or so days and hair drying the duck afterwards. Some ducks don't like the dryer though so if you'd like to try, go for it. It she doesn't like the dryer than just keep her dry until she molts. You just don't want her to get wet and freeze, other than that no issues!

 

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Kkrista123, Yea all 3 like the hair dryer they had a swim in the bath tub last night.

Putting the roof on the run and ran out of day light lol!! I will build the house in the morning and will be using 1/2" Mesh hardware cloth in the run.

Not sure if i want to do a 2 story house top for chickens bottom for the ducks

The house will be a Box on the deck and removable for cleaning or any changes with lids on the back to access the eggs.

Will be Fun Moving it to it's Spot!

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's a nice looking house look forward to seeing it finished.

Aww I bet they are enjoying all the TLC they are getting.

 

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Getting Closer on it tomorrow is balls to the wall gun show setup Friday need to out of the shop.

Black one is walking normal now with the others think she is not starving. I am not sure if they are all female or not. Will get better photos later!

End of Day 3 Lots of Little Details Gussets Etc.... (Not a Tweaker Shack) Still undecided on the house part where to put the entrance or entrances plan is to get a few chickens also if i am gonna buy feed may as well have a return in the kitchen.. .

Note this is night time / away time time they all will have access to my yard "dog" is getting used to them as he peeks in to the shop. But as an alarm ducks!!

But I Learned how to make rafter's never built them before always prebilt!

Left : Yes will have door in ther morning. `

Back: I have a 6' 3" W X 4' L X 3' Tall Area Can Go Bit Taller If Needed! .

Side: Gussets will be all corners!

The back 2 feet thats going to be a bench for wife to tend to them + provide a littlewind barrier entering the house to follow!

Again Moving it I have a plan Should not be to difficult..

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens great house ducks like making messes chickens make mud not a great idea to put them in the same coop in my view

 

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I work in Metal not wood!! Sorry!!!