wet duck

[DukesDucks]

I just brought my free-range Muscovy's back to the coop for the night. It has been raining heavily here most of the day. One of my drakes looks like he has lost his water proofing. His feathers are wet and hanging. He is doing a lot of tail wagging and shaking. Should I be worried?

 

[Isaac 0]

Could you post a picture?

Loss of water repellency sounds like wet feather to me, which is more common with the muscovy since they aren't as fond of water as most duck breeds. You may find this link helpful regarding wet feather in ducks-

http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/artwetfeather2.htm

 

[DukesDucks]

 

[Isaac 0]

It looks like wet feather to me. What are you feeding them? Do they have access to deep water? The link I provided above has all the procedures for treating and preventing wet feather.

 

[DukesDucks]

Thanks for the advice and web site. I put in lots of extra shavings so I know he'll be in dry bedding. Maybe he spent too much time playing in the puddles today. My flock loves to do that, and with rain all day, there has been lots of opportunity.