what could be wrong with my duck

[casportpony]

Thank You...I will send those pics when I am done with my morning chores...thanks again...

Here they are:










She looks very sun bleached and like she might be going into molt maybe? Would be a good idea to check her for feather lice and mites. Best to keep her away from pools that she can't get out of or she can get water logged and hypothermic (too cold).

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

@bpotze , sorry if I wasn't clear, it's 108 here today and I'm not thinking clearly, lol... when mine get that "scruffy sun-bleached look" they aren't as waterproof as they should be and are at risk for getting waterlogged while swimming. Once waterlogged they often can't get out of the pond and are in serious danger of getting too cold and/or drowning. Does that make better sense?

-Kathy

 

[Amiga]

Looks like she's molting, and yes, that would make it hard for her in the water.

I would add two tablespoons daily of good quality dry cat kibble to her diet - my Runners will eat it out of my hand.

 

[bpotze]

These girls are my first ducks...I knew chickens molted but never thought about ducks molting....now that you mention it...I have seen a lot of her feathers in the yard....my chickens and ducks are on organic non GMO feed...so I guess I can find her some organic cat food...or maybe just up her protein?? Thanks

 

[bpotze]

I know to well about the hypothermia.....my granddaughter has 4 silkies and those stinkers kept getting into the duck pond...I almost lost two of them about three weeks apart...one I found with his hear barely above water....I thought he was a goner...but I rushed him into the house and used my blow dryer to dry and heat him and then wrapped him in a warm towel and kept him in the bathroom sink all night...he was fine the next day...then her crazy special needs boy did the same thing....one day I went out and found one her little hens sitting on the edge of a water tub...no wonder they kept falling in the water....
How long do they molt for....
I will check her for lice and mites....I do have DE in their dust holes to help keep mites and lice down...I sprinkle it in the chicken house when I clean...and put it in their nesting boxes also...

 

[Amiga]

These girls are my first ducks...I knew chickens molted but never thought about ducks molting....now that you mention it...I have seen a lot of her feathers in the yard....my chickens and ducks are on organic non GMO feed...so I guess I can find her some organic cat food...or maybe just up her protein?? Thanks

The protein as well as some extra nutritional goodies are the reasons I give them a little kibble especially when molting. So, extra protein plus vitamins would likely help her out while she molts.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Glad you were able to get that photo up.

 

[casportpony]

I know to well about the hypothermia.....my granddaughter has 4 silkies and those stinkers kept getting into the duck pond...I almost lost two of them about three weeks apart...one I found with his hear barely above water....I thought he was a goner...but I rushed him into the house and used my blow dryer to dry and heat him and then wrapped him in a warm towel and kept him in the bathroom sink all night...he was fine the next day...then her crazy special needs boy did the same thing....one day I went out and found one her little hens sitting on the edge of a water tub...no wonder they kept falling in the water....
How long do they molt for....
I will check her for lice and mites....I do have DE in their dust holes to help keep mites and lice down...I sprinkle it in the chicken house when I clean...and put it in their nesting boxes also...

Not sure how long their molt takes... Seems like mine look scruffy, then several weeks later they're sporting a new feather coat.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

These girls are my first ducks...I knew chickens molted but never thought about ducks molting....now that you mention it...I have seen a lot of her feathers in the yard....my chickens and ducks are on organic non GMO feed...so I guess I can find her some organic cat food...or maybe just up her protein??  Thanks 

To up their protein I add turkey or gamebird starter to their feed, it's 27-30% protein, but they also *love* cat food!

-Kathy

 

[bpotze]

Guess I'll be going back to TSC tomorrow....thanks so much for your help..