Sick duck maybe?

[Tremper51]

hi im new to raising ducks this is the 1st year i have bought them and they are exactly 1 week old today and so far they are very playful and growing fast, they make alittle bit of a mess but not a problem at all and i really enjoy them.. one of the smaller ducklings has a small spott abt the size of a small button on the back of his neck where its "feathers" or fur idk what its called has thinned out or falling off and you can see its pink skin and im not sure if its sick. it still eats alot and plays around.. i sat and watched them for a hr the other day and hes not being pecked at or anything so i was wondering if anybody could help me find whats going on...thanks

 

[duckyfromoz]

Welcome to BYC....and also the duck ownership. Ducklings can often get a few bald patches. They grow so very fast and can loose the down feathers -but it doesnt mean that they are neccesarily sick. Also - if they are being picked on - it can be more likely to happen at night when you are not around to see.

 

[dumb_cluck]

I'd separate the small one from the others, but let them see each other. Do this for a couple weeks to get the small one up to speed in size and let the feathers grow in. Then carefully re-introduce them together, but WATCH THEM.

Sometimes that is all it takes to make peace.