Why do my duck hens look so beat up?!

[xIndigoSkyx]

I have 4 pekin ducks, 3 females and 1 drake, and 3 rouens 1 male and 2 females. My Rouen females are looking absolutely beat up there necks have badly any feathers, one of the has bumble foot. Is there anything I can do? More protean? Leave the drakes away from them? Anything because its starting to get bad, anything at all!? Please help me?

 

[Sunny Side Up]

The drakes are certainly rough on their ladies, snatching them bald-headed in their attempts to subdue them for mating. You could try to pen them separately or re-home one or both drakes. The leg issue may be helped by giving that duck extra niacin. The liquid baby vitamins without iron, or the niacin powdered capsules. I give my ducks their vitamins dribbled or spread on a bit of bread.

 

[xIndigoSkyx]

Thanks so much, I'll try that

 

[sourland]

Separate the drakes from them until autumn. If not molting now, they will probably do so soon and become 'beautiful' once again.

 

[Speceider]

The leg issue may be helped by giving that duck extra niacin.

Bumblefoot is not a niacin issue. Bumblefoot is a bacterial (usually staph) infection in the foot. Usually, the best treatment opening the wound to drain the pus and antibiotic treatment and Local application of antibiotic with a local dressing.

Clint

 

[ChristineR]

You could either separate the drakes or get a couple more females.

I'm not an expert, so I hope someone else will jump in here and give some specific advise, but Bumblefoot is an infection that starts with a scratch or nick in the skin that lets bacteria in. It can get very serious, so if you need help treating it, I would take the duck to the vet. I remember when I was a kid, my sister's pet duck had bumblefoot. She lived in our spare bathroom tub for awhile. There was a lot of cleaning and wrapping the foot and antibiotics involved. Eventually the duck died.

Changing the diet won't heal bumblefoot, but if their diet is lacking in some way, it will make all your ducks healthier to get them on a better diet. Also, make sure that your ducks aren't walking on any sort of rough or sharp surface. That will cause injuries that let the bacteria in to cause bumblefoot.

 

[ChristineR]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=5923873

Here, I found this thread with some good info. I hope this helps!

 

[xIndigoSkyx]

I do know how to help the bumble foot. I am also adding more females... Some of the ones I bought as eggs.

 

[tbitt]

Ya, I also think the males are over breeding your poor females.

I bet the smallest female is the one taking the most abuse. I know in my group the smallest female is being torn up.
It makes me sick. I finially pulled the females away from the drakes because the smallest female has a wound on her breast bone!

I am looking into rehoming one of the drakes. it makes me sad, as I like them all and they are pretty....but the abuse they give out is too much for the girls.