Pekin Ducklings bellies always wet

[Abby Minkin]

Hi, I have 4 pekin ducklings that are about 2 weeks old. Within the last couple days, I noticed their bellies are constantly wet. Their home is filled with pine shavings that we clean out and replace at least once a day. Their water dish is a chick feeder that is difficult to spill. They have a heat lamp that dries them off but their bellies never seem to dry. It is almost prickly under there. We put them for a swim in a large bin every day and they dry off well after. Are the wet bellies bad?

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

That's normal. My ducklings were moist and wet when they were little. Ducks are just messy, wet creatures. When they drink water, they dribble it everywhere but their mouth most of the time. The bellies are prickly because feathers are coming in. Be sure to post pics! We love duckling pics!

 

[Abby Minkin]

That's normal. My ducklings were moist and wet when they were little. Ducks are just messy, wet creatures. When they drink water, they dribble it everywhere but their mouth most of the time. The bellies are prickly because feathers are coming in. Be sure to post pics! We love duckling pics!

Thank you! Very glad to hear this. Here are some pictures from when they were little

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

Thank you! Very glad to hear this. Here are some pictures from when they were little View attachment 2190348

So cute!

 

[Isaac 0]

Adorable! What are you feeding them?

 

[Abby Minkin]

Adorable! What are you feeding them?

They eat unmedicated chick crumbles mixed with brewers yeast and occasionally some sage fruits and veggies like lettuce and watermelon

 

[DaniMasters]

so your original question is the main reason I joined BYC because I am new to owning ducks and I simply can't keep my duckling's bellies dry. not to mention they smell like a mildewy towel its awful! but if its something that they will grow out of as they get older then that's great! we also have to change their bedding at least once a day, it smells SO BAD!

 

[fernanda2003]

That's normal. My ducklings were moist and wet when they were little. Ducks are just messy, wet creatures. When they drink water, they dribble it everywhere but their mouth most of the time. The bellies are prickly because feathers are coming in. Be sure to post pics! We love duckling pics!

hi, i have a same concern. new to owning ducks. i have two pekin and their bellies are constantly wet, like brownish dark yellow color. i change their bedding at least 3 times a day because they do get very messy. but i’m concerned that their bellies are always looking like this.