Should my 10 wk old ducks be molting?

[chickboss]

My four Kahkis seem to be molting. Just want to check and see when they beging to get their adult plumage so that I know if this is normal, or if I have a problem. Thanks!

 

[chicken boy sam]

Show pix, please!!!!

 

[WadeMD]

My 8 week old ducks are dropping feathers like mad... but thats because it got so hot here after being cold for a long time. They moved outside when the average temp was around 55 - it went up into the mid 80s, they started dropping some of the internal feathers and are still doing that. They are just regulating their insulation from what I can tell. They aren't dropping the primary feathers - so they aren't really molting. There's no replacement occuring - they're basically just shedding.

 

[OmaBird]

Yep, normal. The Storey's Guide page 227 says between 7 and 10 weeks most breeds will be fully feathered and then molt. This is how you time when it is best to butcher.

 

[chickboss]

Found it! Thanks everyone! I thought I had read it before, but just had a small moment of panic . LOL, like what if I'm wrong and they are covered in lice! LOL.

Silly me.