Question about preen gland

[Quckalackin]

I have four welsh harlequin ducklings and I noticed one of the females looked like she had a wood chip stuck under her fluff. When I picked her up it didn’t come off so I looked closer and it looks like a group of feathers there at her preen gland with lots of oil on them. Or something? She seems fine and none of the others have this thick grouping of feathers. Is her gland clogged maybe? Or is it just a difference in anatomy between ducks?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did she just get out of the bath? She should start preening and wiping across that gland then take a look at it and see if it looks different. Does it feel hard or will any come off when you mess with it?

 

[Isaac 0]

A concentration of small tiny feathers around the oil gland is normal, when you rub your finger on the oil gland, the oil should be evident on your fingers afterwards, if not, it may be clogged, but this would seem very unlikely with a bird this young.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It looks like a hardened piece of wax from here @Isaac 0 if I am seeing it right.

 

[Isaac 0]

To me, it looks like tiny feathers with oil. @Quckalackin is it just tiny oily feathers or is it a solid piece of gunk?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe so my eyes aren’t as good as they use to be.

 

[DuckyDonna]

It looks like a hardened piece of wax from here @Isaac 0 if I am seeing it right.

me too, but we are both, you know, somewhat more mature?

 

[Quckalackin]

Did she just get out of the bath? She should start preening and wiping across that gland then take a look at it and see if it looks different. Does it feel hard or will any come off when you mess with it?

She did just get out of the water but I noticed it before she got in. I will check to see what it looks like after she plays for a while. It doesn’t come off but it’s not hard either. Pretty pliable. I will check for an oil transfer to my fingers. It felt slick when I tried to get it off so I didn’t mess with it too much. It does seem like a bunch of tiny oily baby feathers. Thanks for the help guys!