We keep 11 ducks and a drake. Six of the ducks are Cayuga all hatched last summer but came from three different sources as a trio, a pair and a single one hatched by one of our chickens. Over the last few weeks the feather condition of these young ducks has deteriorated. The feathers on their backs are looking brown and rough instead of the usual shinning black/green. The ducks seem well but look awful. I have looked for information on what might have caused this and there seem to be a range of possibilities, infection, mites etc. However, what is strange is that none of the older ducks or the drake have been affected at all. Even a couple of quite elderly ducks are fine. Can anyone suggest what the cause might be and what I need to do ?
Poor Feather Condition -Ducks
- Thread starter VivSym
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dorsetduckowner
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Hiya 
may i ask where you are in the world, and stupid question, could they be moulting? All mine are moulting at present and I am in the UK.
If you have considered this, then other possibilities could be wet feather, causes could be muddy/wet conditions, or lice, there is some info here: http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/artwetfeather2.htm
here is some info on lice: http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/mmissue13.htm
Do the ducks have ample clean bathing/swimming water?
It's not odd that not all are suffering, some ducks can just be more resistant to things than others.
Also what are they eating at present?
zo
x
may i ask where you are in the world, and stupid question, could they be moulting? All mine are moulting at present and I am in the UK.
If you have considered this, then other possibilities could be wet feather, causes could be muddy/wet conditions, or lice, there is some info here: http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/artwetfeather2.htm
here is some info on lice: http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/mmissue13.htm
Do the ducks have ample clean bathing/swimming water?
It's not odd that not all are suffering, some ducks can just be more resistant to things than others.
Also what are they eating at present?
zo
x
Thanks for the advice. We are in the UK, in South Wales and I am hoping that the ducks are just moulting. This may, I guess, explain why only a few of the ducks are affected, it's just that we have had Cayugas for a number of years and have never seen them look quite this ragged.
They do have access to clean bathing water (a small stream and a pond) everyday.
They are usually fed on a mixture of layers pellets and mixed corn, but already in the course of researching this problem I have found advice suggesting that mixed corn is not the best idea and they should be having wheat, so we intend to change that. I found the links you provided very useful and will refer back to them if the problem persists.
They do have access to clean bathing water (a small stream and a pond) everyday.
They are usually fed on a mixture of layers pellets and mixed corn, but already in the course of researching this problem I have found advice suggesting that mixed corn is not the best idea and they should be having wheat, so we intend to change that. I found the links you provided very useful and will refer back to them if the problem persists.
dorsetduckowner
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Fab Keep us posted, I hope they get on ok Mixed corn is good in the winter, it is quite fattening and mostly whet anyway. Wheat under water is also good (and cheap and rat proof!)
Keep us posted, I hope they get on ok Mixed corn is good in the winter, it is quite fattening and mostly whet anyway. Wheat under water is also good (and cheap and rat proof!)
