What's happening with my 3 year old Saxony duck

[Ducklover3449]

Hello everyone! I have a drake Saxony duck. He is about three. Whenever he swims, his feathers are not oiled and his down feathers are showing on his underside, with no oiled feathers on top. What could be going on? He also has angel wing and somewhat patchy plumage.

 

[QuackSpeak]

Could he be molting? Other than that, I have no real advice for you.. Here are some people that might be able to help:

@Amiga
@casportpony
@Miss Lydia

 

[Ducklover3449]

Could he be molting? Other than that, I have no real advice for you.. Here are some people that might be able to help:

@Amiga

@casportpony

@Miss Lydia


​

Thank you! I think molting may be the case, because I can see stubs of new feathers coming in. Thanks

 

[QuackSpeak]

Thank you! I think molting may be the case, because I can see stubs of new feathers coming in. Thanks

Okay good!

Glad he's okay!

 

[Gayle Ambrosini]

My Saxonys are molting here in Indiana and they look like hell. lol
If you're worried about the oil check his gland and clean it with a warm cloth. Maybe rub it a little and see if you get a greasy finger.

 

[Amiga]

Hello everyone! I have a drake Saxony duck. He is about three. Whenever he swims, his feathers are not oiled and his down feathers are showing on his underside, with no oiled feathers on top. What could be going on? He also has angel wing and somewhat patchy plumage.

Sounds like someone is due for a molt. Some of my ducks will have tatty, faded feathers for several weeks or more before they molt. It is also possible there is a problem with the preen gland, a.k.a. oil gland.

You can look through the archives for information about that - it's a gland on top of the back near the tail - it may be infected, or just not up to snuff. I would give the guy some vitamins in his water, consider massaging it with coconut oil, maybe let him have time in a tub of lukewarm water.

 

[Ducklover3449]

Thank you everyone for your replies! I think molting may be the case. I guess he's just molting a bit slower than usual.

 

[Ducklover3449]

Sounds like someone is due for a molt.  Some of my ducks will have tatty, faded feathers for several weeks or more before they molt.  It is also possible there is a problem with the preen gland, a.k.a. oil gland.

You can look through the archives for information about that - it's a gland on top of the back near the tail - it may be infected, or just not up to snuff.  I would give the guy some vitamins in his water, consider massaging it with coconut oil, maybe let him have time in a tub of lukewarm water.

What does the gland look like? If there is a problem what should I do? Where do I get vitamins for his water? He does preen like the female, but his oiled feathers doesn't turn out like hers.

 

[Ducklover3449]

My Saxonys are molting here in Indiana and they look like hell. lol

If you're worried about the oil check his gland and clean it with a warm cloth. Maybe rub it a little and see if you get a greasy finger.

Lol and thank you! I can see stubs of feathers growing around his breast

 

[Amiga]

What does the gland look like? If there is a problem what should I do? Where do I get vitamins for his water? He does preen like the female, but his oiled feathers doesn't turn out like hers.

The gland looks like an odd-shaped bump, almost a mole, near the base of the spine. Vitamins can be found online or at many feed stores.