Are My Peeking ducks Molting? Picture...

[Echo5]

So I have 4 Pekin ducklings 2 weeks old this Wednesday. They are all fluff balls but three of them have almost bare belly's with really tiny feathers... They are extremely messy and are sitting in wet shavings for most of the day, It's almost impossible to keep them dry even by cleaning their brooding area 2-3 times a day plus adding layers of dry shavings. They are all very healthy looking and growing fast but I don't know what it is with their belly's. Do you think they are starting to molt already or is there something wrong...

Here's a Picture of Jemima...
Any advise or ideas would be great. Thanks

 

[Marwan]

it could be the damp and sitting alot has just made the fluff fall off faster. im new so i hope someone will correct me if im wrong but the prickly ones will be new feathers. when mine changed from fluff balls to feathered they went through the stage of prickly little bits, especially on thier belly. if she seems healthy i couldnt see why you should worry.

 

[Kahn]

My ducks brooding area was also very wet as they are in a small run at the minute until ready to go outside!

What we did was effectively made a "shelf" to raise up the area so it was above the ground...It's only 2-3cm above it but it saves the bedding area from getting as wet as before!

I hope this help, I'm in my first week of owning ducks myself so this is all I have to offer, sorry

Other than the obvious problem right now, your duck looks lovely!

 

[Echo5]

it could be the damp and sitting alot has just made the fluff fall off faster. im new so i hope someone will correct me if im wrong but the prickly ones will be new feathers. when mine changed from fluff balls to feathered they went through the stage of prickly little bits, especially on thier belly. if she seems healthy i couldnt see why you should worry.

Yea I thought it might be from the dampness but from research it looks like molting and it's weird how 1 of them is fully fluffed on her belly... hoping it's just molting.. Thanks for you opinion. I hope someone has come across this situation too.

 

[Echo5]

My ducks brooding area was also very wet as they are in a small run at the minute until ready to go outside!

What we did was effectively made a "shelf" to raise up the area so it was above the ground...It's only 2-3cm above it but it saves the bedding area from getting as wet as before!

I hope this help, I'm in my first week of owning ducks myself so this is all I have to offer, sorry

Other than the obvious problem right now, your duck looks lovely!

Yea I might end up doing that... They will be going outside as soon as we finish putting our coop together, should be done in a few days. The weather is so nice, so hopefully once they get into a bigger area it wont be as wet and they'll grow their feathers in and not be so wet all the time.. And thanks she's quite the duckling! haha

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

They are not molting, it the first feathers growing in. Some ducks will look very bald when the feathers first start coming in. They also feel prickly as the quills push out.

 

[Echo5]

They are not molting, it the first feathers growing in. Some ducks will look very bald when the feathers first start coming in. They also feel prickly as the quills push out.

Okay perfect! Thanks for the problem solve! Makes a lot more sense now!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Welcome, they sure do grow quickly, and the wings will possibly droop as the feathers grow in there. They grow in filled with blood and are heavier than their muscles are use to. Once grown in, the blood recedes and they tuck them up neatly again. Turning out away from the body like a hitch nickers thumb is something you want to watch for. It is called Angel Wing, and can be corrected through wrapping. Don't panick as it can or can not happen, but wanted you to be aware now that the feathers are growing in.

 

[Echo5]

Welcome, they sure do grow quickly, and the wings will possibly droop as the feathers grow in there. They grow in filled with blood and are heavier than their muscles are use to. Once grown in, the blood recedes and they tuck them up neatly again. Turning out away from the body like a hitch nickers thumb is something you want to watch for. It is called Angel Wing, and can be corrected through wrapping. Don't panick as it can or can not happen, but wanted you to be aware now that the feathers are growing in.

Thanks so much I really appreciate all the info. Trying to get all I can to prepare for all possibilities and outcomes. It's quite the learning experience and I'm loving all of it!

 

[mckee farms]

I am gettimg four peeking ducks monday. Never had them before. Arw they big when they are full grown.
?