Duckling slow to feather.

[jahya0]

Our duckling is 8 weeks old and still has very few feathers. They're starting to come in, but slowly. Her feet are HUGE though. At least 3cm across. Her nody is groeing fast too. She was sick with pneumonia for almost 3 weeks, and appears 2 to 3 weeks behind in feathering. Is this normal? Will she catch up in time?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would think so, are you giving her any vitamins?

 

[jahya0]

Yes. She gets a biotic complex that contains niacin. She also gets a few green peas daily (finally found squishy peas lol).

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh, that's right I remember we talked about the biotic complex. Good that should help her get caught up.

 

[ruthhope]

I have had 2 Muscovy ducklings this year that have been very slow to feather. The drake at 8 weeks is just now getting some flight feathers that he is finding very heavy and the female doesn't even have those! If the ducklings are otherwise growing normally and eating a good diet, I think it is just natural variation.

 

[jahya0]

I have had 2 Muscovy ducklings this year that have been very slow to feather. The drake at 8 weeks is just now getting some flight feathers that he is finding very heavy and the female doesn't even have those! If the ducklings are otherwise growing normally and eating a good diet, I think it is just natural variation.

Limon is now very healthy. She eats, drinks, and plays with toys. I'm sure yours will catch up too. Thanks for the info

 

[jahya0]

Oh, that's right I remember we talked about the biotic complex. Good that should help her get caught up.

11 days til vet re-check. He says once she's feathered she can move outside. We are getting her a duck buddy too.

 

[Papaye]

Hi!

Our duckling is 8 weeks old and still has very few feathers. They're starting to come in, but slowly. Her feet are HUGE though. At least 3cm across. Her nody is groeing fast too.

Do you have another picture?
(I just would like to see her entire body.)

She was sick with pneumonia for almost 3 weeks, and appears 2 to 3 weeks behind in feathering. Is this normal? Will she catch up in time?

If she was sick, it is not surprising : she probably used all of her energy to heal instead of growing out feathers...
But if she is healed now...? Her feathers should emerge soon.

You can help her by mixing food grade Diatomaceous Earth with her food : it is good for the metabolism... and for the growth and the quality (and colours!) of the feathers.

Good luck.

11 days til vet re-check. He says once she's feathered she can move outside. We are getting her a duck buddy too.

Great for her!

 

[jahya0]

Hi!



Do you have another picture?
(I just would like to see her entire body.)



If she was sick, it is not surprising : she probably used all of her energy to heal instead of growing out feathers...
But if she is healed now...? Her feathers should emerge soon.

You can help her by mixing food grade Diatomaceous Earth with her food : it is good for the metabolism... and for the growth and the quality (and colours!) of the feathers.

Good luck.



Great for her!

 

[Papaye]

Thank you for the picture, @jahya0!