Small feathers all over my lawn

[nao57]

So my ducks are about 4 months old.

The last few days there's been a few feathers all over the back yard. They aren't big feathers, but sort of small. I can't tell which of the 7 ducks they are from, but they are pretty small. I'm not sure if this means anything. But they seem to be increasing in number from day to day recently.

I haven't seen them hen pecking each other, so I'm not sure why this would be the case.

Is it too early for them to be molting, when they aren't very old? (For Utah weather, we are just starting our real warm up. Planing for crops in Utah starts around May 1st.)

And not sure if its related but I have also been feeding them a lot sprouted black oil sun flower seeds. I grow them out to about 3 or 4 inches and then give them to them. They wolf them down like crazy and go nuts over them. I think I'm feeding them enough weight, but not sure if food diversity could be an issue or not?

Molting, or?

And how much of feathers on your lawn is normal, and how much is too much and abnormal?

 

[Texag87]

I find quite a few feathers from time to time. My ducks are fall hatched from ‘18 so they are a bit out of sync with a normal schedule for molting. However with the weather warming up it’s time for Molting and I think 3 have in the last month or so

 

[DucksOhio]

I’ve seen tiny feathers this Spring. Maybe someone is slightly molting.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

So my ducks are about 4 months old.

The last few days there's been a few feathers all over the back yard. They aren't big feathers, but sort of small. I can't tell which of the 7 ducks they are from, but they are pretty small. I'm not sure if this means anything. But they seem to be increasing in number from day to day recently.

I haven't seen them hen pecking each other, so I'm not sure why this would be the case.

Is it too early for them to be molting, when they aren't very old? (For Utah weather, we are just starting our real warm up. Planing for crops in Utah starts around May 1st.)

And not sure if its related but I have also been feeding them a lot sprouted black oil sun flower seeds. I grow them out to about 3 or 4 inches and then give them to them. They wolf them down like crazy and go nuts over them. I think I'm feeding them enough weight, but not sure if food diversity could be an issue or not?

Molting, or?

And how much of feathers on your lawn is normal, and how much is too much and abnormal?

This is normal. It's what we call juvenile molt
Don't be shocked if some of them even change color

 

[nao57]

This is normal. It's what we call juvenile molt
Don't be shocked if some of them even change color

Thanks!

Relieved...really.

And is there a sure fire way of making sure they have been eating well and healthy, since we're on topic?

Because it seems like they are always hungry. And they mob each other also in an effort to get the most food also when I go feed them. Maybe this is also related to being juvenile also? Do more mature ducks act this way also?

They eat more like wolves than ducks for oatmeal, and sprouts so far.

 

[nao57]

I find quite a few feathers from time to time. My ducks are fall hatched from ‘18 so they are a bit out of sync with a normal schedule for molting. However with the weather warming up it’s time for Molting and I think 3 have in the last month or so

Thanks to all you others also for this information.

 

[Isaac 0]

I have the same problem every spring, it is hilarious watching all the songbirds collect all the feathers around the yard though.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I have the same problem every spring, it is hilarious watching all the songbirds collect all the feathers around the yard though.

I know right! In the fall when I clean out my birdhouses for the winter there are nests with lots of duck feathers in them.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Thanks!

Relieved...really.

And is there a sure fire way of making sure they have been eating well and healthy, since we're on topic?

Because it seems like they are always hungry. And they mob each other also in an effort to get the most food also when I go feed them. Maybe this is also related to being juvenile also? Do more mature ducks act this way also?

They eat more like wolves than ducks for oatmeal, and sprouts so far.

What do you feed them besides the sprouts?

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Ducks are big piggies where food is concerned. That won't change much.