My entire flock has wet feather?

[Gerby26]

I have yearling muscovies and all of their oil glands just seem to not be working properly, some are partially working while two girls just are dry and have no oil at all, they have access to a full yard of grass and have fresh water to bathe in everyday. I don't know what to do about it, all I can think is maybe its parasites but I didn't see anything on them when I checked a few(ofc I dont really know what I am looking for) so maybe internal parasites? which would explain why they all have it. They get mazuri waterfowl layer feed, and currently are being kept in a chicken tractor at night that is moved everyday. I am new to ducks(having them for less then a year) so to have all of my girls have the same problem is concerning, my goose however is perfectly fine, so I have no idea what is going on, if anyone has any insight or ideas on what I could do/what I should do. I cant really bring all these ducks into my house to bathe them(as there are 5 and they aren't exactly tame). Their feathers look completely normal when they are dry but once they get wet they look soaked. It is their first year laying eggs but I don't think that would cause this. They also don't seem to preen themselves(maybe thats the cause?) they just get out of the pool and walk around like being soaked is fine, until they finish air drying.

 

[fatty and friends]

i don’t have muscovy but i have heard that they don’t like water as much as other ducks and get wet feather very easily. i’m not 100% sure how true that is but i’ve heard multiple muosvy people talk about it

 

[SolarDuck]

I have Muscovy and I think they just aren't as waterproof as other duck breeds. My girls get wet when they bathe but they dry out just fine.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

They look great. Mine look like soaked dogs when wet, but dry beautifully. The only issue I've had is when they bathe in mud puddles, their oil gland can get plugged. I had one that wasn't drying. I took a warm cloth to clean her oil gland up a bit. I only did this a couple of days and she was fine. Muscovies don't bathe as much as other ducks, but they seem to love puddles, mud, and dirty water.

 

[Scovyfive]

I have this same issue with my 6 muscovies as well. They are 10 months old. They are from two different farms, and the one group had wet feather I want to say a full 5 months ago. The 3 females from a different group did not get wet feather until they started laying and them it was immediate. The ones who have had it since winter have terrible feather quality. Especially my male.
They have access to water and all bathe and preen at least once a day, except for the male who has become more water shy lately.

I really would love to hear insight from other muscovy keepers on things that have worked to keep feathers top notch. I really feel that it is not healthy for them. During the wet seasons I worry so much.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They sure are beautiful.

I've had Muscovy since 2004 and they do like to get a bathe daily but they aren't water hogs like my Runners and Buffs. My oldest has wet feather almost year round. She eventually dries out but in winter I especially worry about her since she is 14 now. Other than a good molt at end of summer, I am not sure there is much we can do. Once mine all have a good molt they all have pristine feathers till spring except my oldest girl. Rarely do I see mine doing much preening so that probably contributes to the feathers not being waterproof. Good diet and keeping fresh water for them to bathe in and making sure their oil gland is working good. I think it's just the Muscovy nature to be this way.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I have yearling muscovies and all of their oil glands just seem to not be working properly, some are partially working while two girls just are dry and have no oil at all, they have access to a full yard of grass and have fresh water to bathe in everyday. I don't know what to do about it, all I can think is maybe its parasites but I didn't see anything on them when I checked a few(ofc I dont really know what I am looking for) so maybe internal parasites? which would explain why they all have it. They get mazuri waterfowl layer feed, and currently are being kept in a chicken tractor at night that is moved everyday. I am new to ducks(having them for less then a year) so to have all of my girls have the same problem is concerning, my goose however is perfectly fine, so I have no idea what is going on, if anyone has any insight or ideas on what I could do/what I should do. I cant really bring all these ducks into my house to bathe them(as there are 5 and they aren't exactly tame). Their feathers look completely normal when they are dry but once they get wet they look soaked. It is their first year laying eggs but I don't think that would cause this. They also don't seem to preen themselves(maybe thats the cause?) they just get out of the pool and walk around like being soaked is fine, until they finish air drying.

They look pretty darn good to me!