This doesn’t look normal…

[sbolerjack]

One of my runners has discolored tail feathers like he/she has been bleeding. Has anyone experienced this? He has been inside all day, so if he is hurt, it’s self-inflicted or by another duckling. I have included pics. Otherwise, the duck seems normal. Ideas?

 

[CloneFly]

I would check him over- maybe run your finger through his feathers just to check. It could be a broken blood feather

 

[sbolerjack]

I would check him over- maybe run your finger through his feathers just to check. It could be a broken blood feather

I will. If it is, is a broken blood feather okay? I’m a new duck owner. Thanks!

 

[Canadian Wind]

If there's no feather sticking out oddly, then I would leave it. It could have been one of the other ducklings (or even himself) that pulled at it.

What % protein is their food?

 

[sbolerjack]

If there's no feather sticking out oddly, then I would leave it. It could have been one of the other ducklings (or even himself) that pulled at it.

What % protein is their food?

22% until 4 weeks. Now 19%. He is 5 1/2 weeks old.

 

[Canadian Wind]

You may want to return to the 22% until they are at least eight weeks old. They are still growing and need a lot of protein to make those feathers, which is why sometimes they will pluck them to eat.

 

[sbolerjack]

You may want to return to the 22% until they are at least eight weeks old. They are still growing and need a lot of protein to make those feathers, which is why sometimes they will pluck them to eat.

Wow. Didn’t know this. They always have food plus snacks during the day.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I didn't realize this either until fairly recently when I'd gotten some juveniles and one had some flight feathers that had been plucked by other ducks. We're always learning.

I've upped the amount of protein even for my adults now, since it's getting much colder out there and they free-range. Not as many bugs and critters for them to eat anymore.