What are these?

[ProudRedneck]

New/unplanned/neurotic duck mom here, still working on my introductory post so I apologize in advance.

I am wondering what these orange things are, coming out of my SA duckling's tail feather region. Today is the first day I've seen them and I don't see them on my Muscovy duckling.

I don't know if it's a male or female and it's between 3 to 4 weeks old

 

[Chickenlovermom]

Could you get a better close up picture please?

 

[Isadora]

I'm thinking new feather growth?

 

[ProudRedneck]

Could you get a better close up picture please?

I added a couple more, let me know if those are close enough. If not I'll have to get my so to hold it while I take the picture

 

[ruthhope]

New feathers coming in!

 

[ProudRedneck]

New feathers coming in!

Ok good, thank you Ruthhope, I'm so scared something is going to happen or go wrong that I am spending my entire days and nights looking up information on raising these babies and I couldn't find any pictures online (fast enough) to explain what these were.

I've been so paranoid about everything that I am ready to uproot every plant, flower and tree in my yard.

 

[ProudRedneck]

I'm thinking new feather growth?

Thank you for your response Isadora.

 

[ruthhope]

Ok good, thank you Ruthhope, I'm so scared something is going to happen or go wrong that I am spending my entire days and nights looking up information on raising these babies and I couldn't find any pictures online (fast enough) to explain what these were.

I've been so paranoid about everything that I am ready to uproot every plant, flower and tree in my yard.

It gets easier as we gain confidence from experience. But we all worry about our ducks. Your ducklings will start to feel "prickly" when you stroke them as the feathers come in.

Just be sure to provide a clean dry and safe home for your ducklings, feed them well, and they will likely grow healthily and give you a lot of pleasure.

 

[ProudRedneck]

New feathers coming in!

Hi Ruthhope, guess what?

My Muscovy has black ones coming through on it's side now!!!

Do they hurt the duckies when these come through? I don't want to pet them anywhere they are if they hurt them.

 

[ruthhope]

Hi Ruthhope, guess what?

My Muscovy has black ones coming through on it's side now!!!

Do they hurt the duckies when these come through? I don't want to pet them anywhere they are if they hurt them.
View attachment 3064704

No. They don't hurt at all!! Ducklings don't seem at all bothered.

This was my 2021 rescued muscovy showing his black feathers coming in round his tail.

He didn't have ducky friends at that time and so had to stay close to me for comfort