wet duck

valley ranch

Songster
9 Years
Jun 2, 2010
309
1
111
Mountain Valley near Tahoe
Hi all hoping to get some help for our little mallard.
He recently got kicked or butted by our goat or horse and was limping. WE brought him in the house and are keeping him in here where it is warm and soft so he can heal which he seems to be doing. The limp is less and he is moving around more. BUT. He gets wet. We bring his girl into the house and run them a luke warm bath to swim around in. She stays dry but his feathers seem to get "wet" and she is dry in no time and he takes ages to dry off. If you know what I mean.
What can cause this? He is eating flock raiser gets fresh water several times a day and I am giving him niacin suppliments.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
 
Sounds like he is not producing OR possibly not spreading his oils...

his injury might be preventing him from properly preening..being able to reach all the way around to get to the oil gland and spread it with his beak. I'd be sore too if I got kicked by a goat...so keep bathing him, help him dry by gently wrapping him in a soft towel and just a gentle massage so the towel absorbs as much of the water as possible. Once dry, see if you can feel his gland on his back towards his tail...base of the spine, more or less. It should be slightly wet. If so, his is just not spreading as he should. That will likely return to normal once he heals 100%.

That gland is like a sweat gland...its oil comes thru the skin where the bird spreads it around. Sometimes the gland can become dirty with dirt or bird dander crusted on that area and a warm water washing will usually clear that area.
That is just one reason that ducks NEED to be able to swim and get submerged in water. Not essential to swim, but enough water to clean themselves. If a pond is not available a water hose sprayer will do. Duck shower head.
 
thanks for the replies
He has a pond in summer and now that the pond is frozen he has a big "bowl" for him to stand in and soak if he wants to.
Since he has been injured we are giving him aarm bath daily so hopefully it will sort out.
 

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