Pekin hens looking rough

[Maddiejayne]

My pekin girls have looked pretty rough for a while now and never seem to get clean or white again, I was hoping it might be molting. Over the summer they moved their wings a lot next to their sides. I assumed the wing movement was to keep cool, but the weather has cooled off and they still do it. I’m worried there might be something else going on with them which contributes to their raggedy wings and dirty feathers. I’m posting a video to show both the wing movement and their appearance. Is this normal for pekin hens? Do they have mites? Any ideas?

 

[dpenning]

N

My pekin girls have looked pretty rough for a while now and never seem to get clean or white again, I was hoping it might be molting. Over the summer they moved their wings a lot next to their sides. I assumed the wing movement was to keep cool, but the weather has cooled off and they still do it. I’m worried there might be something else going on with them which contributes to their raggedy wings and dirty feathers. I’m posting a video to show both the wing movement and their appearance. Is this normal for pekin hens? Do they have mites? Any ideas?

No video came through. You have to post video to you tube or similar then post the link.

 

[chickens really]

Perkins can suffer from many issues. They are a meat bird. Depending on the supplier?..Most are bred for market.

 

[Miss Lydia]

White ducks seem to have it the hardest at keeping white and clean. Do they have bathing water all the time? And do they use it? I see my ducks doing their wings a lot right after bathing , if you notice a lot of feathers laying around the yard and coop they probably are in molt and when their new feathers come in they will be beautiful. On a white duck you should be able to see mites pretty easy they will look like tiny pepper flakes and lice will be attached to their feather shafts look close around the vent area.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pekins were produced for meat but are now very popular with those who want ducks for pets. Pekins can have issues with their legs that is why it’s important they get them on a niacin supplement when still tiny ducklings,other than weak legs from niacin deficiency they are healthy birds.

 

[Maddiejayne]

My pekin girls have looked pretty rough for a while now and never seem to get clean or white again, I was hoping it might be molting. Over the summer they moved their wings a lot next to their sides. I assumed the wing movement was to keep cool, but the weather has cooled off and they still do it. I’m worried there might be something else going on with them which contributes to their raggedy wings and dirty feathers. I’m posting a video to show both the wing movement and their appearance. Is this normal for pekin hens? Do they have mites? Any ideas?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks like molt to me.

 

[Maddiejayne]

White ducks seem to have it the hardest at keeping white and clean. Do they have bathing water all the time? And do they use it? I see my ducks doing their wings a lot right after bathing , if you notice a lot of feathers laying around the yard and coop they probably are in molt and when their new feathers come in they will be beautiful. On a white duck you should be able to see mites pretty easy they will look like tiny pepper flakes and lice will be attached to their feather shafts look close around the vent area.

Thanks, this helps a lot. I’ve been worried about mites, but not sure what to look for or what they look like. They have clean baby pools plus a pond so plent of access to bathe.

 

[Maddiejayne]

Pekins were produced for meat but are now very popular with those who want ducks for pets. Pekins can have issues with their legs that is why it’s important they get them on a niacin supplement when still tiny ducklings,other than weak legs from niacin deficiency they are healthy birds.

Thank you- I’ve added brewers yeast to there diet for a while, but not straight niacin which I’ll probably start doing.

 

[Maddiejayne]

Looks like molt to me.

Thank you, they just turned a year old in August and it’s my first time having birds so I haven’t experienced a molt yet. Glad to know it looks familiar