Duck has very little down on her back, can see skin

[Moments]

My blue swedish duck has very little down on her back. Her feathers themselves seem worn too but wondered if that were at one point from the drakes and will probably be like that until the next molt. I don't think though that right on top of her back could be the boys though cause usually the work away feathers would be more towards the sides. I can see most of her back (skin) and she has hardly been mated at all lately so I'm wondering what it could be. Her back seems clean, no black spots indicating typical mites. She's eating and drinking fine, foraging, etc. I'm wondering about worms but don't have the funds right now to get her tested. Her eggs look fine. What are some other possibilities? Is she gonna be warm outside through the night in the coop without these feathers?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Missing back feathers in almost all cases on hens is caused by drakes. It’s usually the first sign of being overmated . Just because you don’t see them mating doesn’t mean they aren’t. You also say “drakes” plural. What is your male to female ratio? To answer your other question they will not grow back in until she molts. In most cases she will be fine unless you lived somewhere it’s gets subzero in the winter and she was missing quite a bit of feathers.

 

[Jenbirdee]

iagree with @HollowOfWisps and i would keep the Drakes separated from her right away before it gets worse

 

[Moments]

Missing back feathers in almost all cases on hens is caused by drakes. It’s usually the first sign of being overmated . Just because you don’t see them mating doesn’t mean they aren’t. You also say “drakes” plural. What is your male to female ratio? To answer your other question they will not grow back in until she molts. In most cases she will be fine unless you lived somewhere it’s gets subzero in the winter and she was missing quite a bit of feathers.

She is very good at evading them and I'm been limiting their access to her so I could narrow things down. Also I forgot to mention that she seems to have lost weight which adds to the concern of the possibility of worms. My drake to lady ratio is ideal. They usually favor certain ducks though, this one isn't one of the favorites

 

[Moments]

iagree with @HollowOfWisps and i would keep the Drakes separated from her right away before it gets worse

I have been keeping access to her limited though she's not their first choice in our flock. Usually it's the sides that I would see on my ladies with head feathers missing. In this case, her head feathers are in tact and it's the part of her back where the wings connect that is pretty much bald Also she has lost weight which is why I'm concerned about worms

 

[Jenbirdee]

can you post pictures please? of her back and also her poop

 

[Yardmom]

Does she have access to swimming water? Is a molt a possibility now?

 

[Jenbirdee]

yes maybe she’s just molting

 

[Jenbirdee]

I have been keeping access to her limited though she's not their first choice in our flock. Usually it's the sides that I would see on my ladies with head feathers missing. In this case, her head feathers are in tact and it's the part of her back where the wings connect that is pretty much bald Also she has lost weight which is why I'm concerned about worms

you can use a dewormer if you suspect worms. safeguard or valbazen are my two go-tos for general deworming. i follow the advice given here https://the-chicken-chick.com/control-treatment-of-worms-in-chickens/

i don’t remember if the dosages are the same for ducks as chickens though but if you google search something like “ducks safeguard dosage “ you’ll likely be led back to this website for the info you need

 

[Moments]

yes maybe she’s just molting

I've never seen a bald back under the top wing area from molting and also weight loss. There's always still down there and she's eating really well.