Wet Feathered Muscovy

[Crazy Maizie]

Do you only have muscovy? I just acquired some runners and I didn't realize how much different their feathers are compared to the muscovies. Muscovies molt once per yr (in my flock), so their feathers get pretty disheveled around this time of the yr until they molt.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Dawn soap should only be used when there is an excessive amount of dirt/gunk or petroleum oils on the feathers. The use of soap on a feather coat that is clean, just not waterproof is simply useless and will only further worsen the issue by stripping any remaining natural oils helping to maintain the little water repellency left.

My advice was only for the oil gland, not the whole bird to be washed in soap. I have had one muscovy get actual wet feather and the warm cloth applied to the oil gland worked. I had read that if it didn't you could use a little warm soapy water to help clean up the gland only.

 

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

My advice was only for the oil gland, not the whole bird to be washed in soap. I have had one muscovy get actual wet feather and the warm cloth applied to the oil gland worked. I had read that if it didn't you could use a little warm soapy water to help clean up the gland only

 

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

That’s what I’d understood you to mean. Frustratingly though I can only see her gland when she’s preening. When I go to find it I cant.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

That’s what I’d understood you to mean. Frustratingly though I can only see her gland when she’s preening. When I go to find it I cant.

Yeah the girls gland is much smaller. But my boys I can spot 10' away!