Personal Hygiene Problem in Duck

[Muscovy Man]

One of male Muscovy Ducks, General Lee, is having a problem with his personal hygiene. When he takes a bath he only gets his head and neck wet, while the rest of his body is dry. His pure white plumage is now kinda light brown, since one time he took a mud bath. But this is the WORST PART!! He has old poop stuck around on his anus and has over time turned into a huge brown mess. I tried to get it off but it is stuck on there and he doesn't do anything to get it off himself.

:

Do you think I should give him a bath that he really deserves?

 

[redhen]

Yup..i'd try to bathe him..
Have fun..hehehehe..

 

[artsyrobin]

i have a disabled silkie that gets daily brushing and weekly baths, she has a bad leg. when you give him his bath, kind of look over his legs, wonder if he might have problems preening proper;y?

 

[Duck Keeper]

Muscovies are a little more 'shaggy' because they don't play in water as often as mallard-derived breeds, right?

But I do think you should get that junk off.

 

[Muscovy Man]

You guys may think I am crazy but I think I just discovered why General Lee doesn't take baths

. So did what thought was best and gave him a bath. So I put him in the kiddie pool and he immediately jumped out soaking wet. Then I picked him up and did the same thing with him but he jumped out of my hands and went scurrying away to a safe distance from the pool.

I now believe that maybe he is Hydrophobic of deep water and what is funny is that he is the 'tough guy' (hence the name) of the flock

. He does have his pure white plumage back after his forced bath. Also when I bathed him, he didn't seem to have problems preening properly.

He still only gets his neck and head wet and however you guys can figure out solutions about a duck that is 'Hydrophobic.'

P.S. He is not afraid by being sprayed by the garden hose, though.

 

[nettie]

my ducks hated their kiddie pool. It took them a looooong time to get used to it and wouldn't bathe... if it becomes a problem, you could always throw him in the tub once a week so he stays clean... my ducks also hated the hose, so i had to do that. at least with the hose he can get wet, and as long as he gets wet, he can get clean/preen.

 

[Le Canard de Barbarie]

Quote:
My muscovy drakes do that also, especially when they aren't feeling well or they don't want to become chilled. However, every one that exhibited that behavior will also bathe in the pond or kiddie pool when conditions are right.