New Muscovy Duckling Momma

[Muscovy Momma]

Hey Chicken Peeps! I feel like an imposter as I’m not a chicken owner but rather a new ducking owner. I’m still learning the ropes with my little miracle duckling. A miracle in that an egg was left in the yard by the dog who had found a Muscovy nest of eggs. I put it in an incubator not really expecting it to hatch as I hadn’t been successful with the prior two attempts. Thirty-three days later he hatched. He is an only child (excluding dogs and horses). He is growiing and sprouting lots of feathers at 26 days old. He is on chick starter and nutritional yeast. Issue is he has terrible dandruff and grooms incessantly and has since he was about week old. I don‘t believe its mites. He also sits at every opportunity. I was suspecting niacin deficiency so have increased the NY. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance!!

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Lots of duck people here, including myself, so don't worry.

It sounds like he's just losing his baby fluff, which is normal. Have you let your little guy swim at all?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Tons of Duck owners here on BYC, so no worries! Congrats on the single hatch! You might want to stop by our Ducks forums for more help with the little guy... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/

Make yourself at home here!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[Muscovy Momma]

Welcome to BYC! Lots of duck people here, including myself, so don't worry.

It sounds like he's just losing his baby fluff, which is normal. Have you let your little guy swim at all?

Yes after he was a week old I let him play in the kiddie pool which he loves. His wings are very bear and that’s also concerning. I can’t seem to load pictures.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[Muscovy Momma]

Some pics of Jesus (pronounced Hey-sus)

 

[SilverBirds]

Yes after he was a week old I let him play in the kiddie pool which he loves. His wings are very bear and that’s also concerning. I can’t seem to load pictures.

Bare spots are perfectly normal for growing ducklings. As long as his skin isn't red and raw I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[TwoCrows]

Some pics of Jesus (pronounced Hey-sus)

Adorable! ❤ It's completely normal for him to be losing fluff, he will molt several times before his adult feathers completely grow in.

 

[Muscovy Momma]

Adorable! ❤ It's completely normal for him to be losing fluff, he will molt several times before his adult feathers completely grow in.

Thank you all! I will try not to worry.