Runner advice please....

[thomassio]

I feel like I'm always asking advice but if people keep being helpful then I will keep asking!
Today I collected two new runners, I already had three chocolate girls but today I picked up a blue girl and a lovely trout male. They seem to be mixing really well other than the original girls giving him a good peck on the back of the neck now and then which I hope isn't a problem.
My concern is this.... I didn't realise until I looked at them alongside my beautiful girls but the two new additions-especially him- seem wet, are they ok? Will there plumage work itself out now they have some space to free range?

Thanks guys.

 

[Amiga]

A few things could be going on.

They could be getting ready to molt, and a big change like this could accelerate that.

They could have a nutritional deficiency. It can happen in the best of homes - some ducks just have need of more of some nutrients. Try some poultry vitamins, try a little extra protein for a short spell.

They could be a little under the weather. Anyone can pick up a virus or bacteria. Again, keeping them well fed and sheltered, with fresh water goes a long way.

I like giving a lukewarm bath. Gives me a chance to watch, listen and sniff (some problems have distinctive odors).

Those are my thoughts.

 

[thomassio]

Thanks Amiga. Is it likely to put them off me hugely by catching them to give them a warm bath? I will try some vitamins, hopefully now they can free range they should have access to all sorts and everything!
So is the original girls picking on the new two acceptable? I guess they need to establish a (excuse the pun) pecking order, so it will fade out soon? It's not a lot or especially vicious, just the odd sneaky peck on the back and it's not bothering them at all really!

 

[Amiga]

I have found that although they don't like being picked up, the baths seem to really be a treat, and ducks have learned that I don't harm them, and there is a treat involved, so they have adapted nicely when we need to go through a treatment.

Some poking and shoving appears to do no harm, and does seem to stabilize the social order somewhat. I start new ducks out on the other side of a temporary divider fence initially, when I am not nearby. Then after a while we all run together.

 

[thomassio]

Great, thanks again.