Mucky Ducklings?

[Yvonne]

These are pics of the 2 Muscovy ducklings taken when I first had them last wednesday. They are doing really well and are growing. In the pics they look terrible as apparently they were pecked by his hens. As well as bald patches they felt horrible to touch.



They are now looking a lot better. They do preen themselves a bit. I was told to give them a bath but the size of them, especially their little wings, when I had them I was scared too so haven't done so. Think they are now 2 weeks old. They look like they have more feathers but their backs still feel horrible to touch. The darker one still has a bald head.


As soon as I can get some more of them I will post them

 

[Yvonne]

They are outside in the sunshine. I managed to inherit a large dog cage. Have taken some more pics and maybe now they don't look to be any better, probably look worse . At least the bald patches don't look red anymore.
Now they are a bit bigger, not sure if it is poo on them, or hopefully could be food. I think that is more likely as it would explain why they were "grooming" each other when they arrived.






Not sure about washing them. I have never washed a bird before, only dogs and horses
I am hoping that when they start getting their proper feathers, they will be okay. I take it they will stay bald until then.

 

[daniellesdogs]

i love ducklings,
my 8 are still very little but as soon as i add clean water to their bowl they in there trying to swim
the bowl is only inch deep and fits all 8 in snug so not very big

 

[Anonymous]

my ducklings are 1 week old and they love swimming

I just don't have them in long as they can get cold and I NEVER leave them alone in there baby pool

I always dry them off a little then put them back under there heat lamp so they can fluff up again they clean themselves in the water I just leave them to it

 

[Yvonne]

Thank you,
I have a small cat litter tray so will try putting some warm water in it and see if it will just soften the gunk and it will come off. Don't know what they will think. Our old Muscovy rarely went on the pond. If she did it was only on the edge where she could stand up. Quick wash and she was out and off doing her own thing.