Underactive oil gland?

[MandoDuck]

So nearly two months ago I bought a male mandarin duck (juvenile) from a local breeder. Up until last week, once every two days I provided him a large & deep bowl with warm water where he could take a bath. At first, the only part that would get wet was the back of his neck, but it gradually got worse and now he definitely has wet feather. I've checked his oil glands and he doesn't have an inflammation. Since last week, I've started to massage this area with a warm & damp cloth, but I don't see much progress (he gets soaked after every bath). There are a couple more things to mention:
- he preens himself at least 3 hours a day and his feathers are always tidy and his puffs very fluffy
- he jumps straight into the bowl of water every time I give him a chance to swim
- one month ago his colorful feathers started to grow, but after 2 weeks the progress slowed down alot
- he doesn't eat much, only 20 grams of pellets everyday (Versele Laga Duck 2), and he has lost quite a bit of weight since I got him.
Any advice?

 

[sourland]

I'd ask his previous owner what he was feeding and add some of that to his diet.

 

[MandoDuck]

I'd ask his previous owner what he was feeding and add some of that to his diet.

He prepared the feed at home and gave all his ducks a mix of wheat, corn, buckwheat, flax and so on. I have about 2 kg left of that feed, but I switched him to premium pellets because he was very picky and ate just the wheat. If it was up to him, he would eat only wheat and bugs (one day I gave him a cup of mealworms and in 1 minute they were gone)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is he an only duck? if so maybe getting him a friend would encourage him to start eating.
My female muscovy would get wet feather and I would use warm compress to help stimulate the gland. It helped. Can you see any yellow oily stuff around the gland?

 

[MandoDuck]

Is he an only duck? if so maybe getting him a friend would encourage him to start eating.
My female muscovy would get wet feather and I would use warm compress to help stimulate the gland. It helped. Can you see any yellow oily stuff around the gland?

Yes, he is an only duck (unfortunately I can't get him a pair up until next year, as mandarins are very rare in my area). However, he stays with us all day and became so tame that he sleeps in my lap. Today I decided to stop free feeding him, as a last resort to his "pickiness". Instead, I offered him small meals (1 teaspoon of pellets) every two hours. It worked wonders! He ate twice as much feed as yesterday. I also checked his glands and they barely produce a bit of oil - when I touch them, I can see a very VERY thin film of oil on my finger. I guess it's better than nothing, but it would take ages to spread it all over his body...

 

[ruthhope]

Keep hand feeding this little guy!! He definitely needs ducky company, and that need not be a mandarin friend, until you get more in the spring

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hopefully getting him to eat well will help with feather quality, and him continuing to preen will keep the oil coming so her can keep his feather waterproof.
Glad to hear he is eating now.
I'd try and get him a friend and if that takes time then give him a safe mirror so he can see himself they love looking at themselves and it will give him some company. They just do so much better if they have another duck or 2 to keep them company.