Why are my ducks shedding fur and skin?

[wtusa1718]

My ducks pick at their chest all day long. They are shedding their fur and looks like dead skin also. They are about 4 weeks old. Is this normal?

 

[Knighstar679]

They are getting in adult feathers. They will loose down (or fur) and the stuff that looks like skin is the shaft that the adult feather is in cased in until it is preened and then it flakes away revealing the adult feather.

 

[wtusa1718]

They are getting in adult feathers. They will loose down (or fur) and the stuff that looks like skin is the shaft that the adult feather is in cased in until it is preened and then it flakes away revealing the adult feather.

Ok thanks. One of mine is gaining feathers by the day

 

[Knighstar679]

Ok thanks. One of mine is gaining feathers by the day

Yep they are at the right age for that. SOme look bald during it others grow them in as fast as they loose the down depends on the duck and their diet.

 

[wtusa1718]

Yep they are at the right age for that. SOme look bald during it others grow them in as fast as they loose the down depends on the duck and their diet.

Ok thanks. I knew they would be getting their feathers in but I didn’t know what the other stuff was as it’s my first time with ducks

 

[Isaac 0]

Agreed, just them molting into their adult feathers.

 

[wtusa1718]

Agreed, just them molting into their adult feathers.

Ok thanks