Ruffled feathers, curl in tail feather, should I be concerned?

[hayleyasaurus]

hey everyone!
A few months ago my 8 year old female Cayuga developed a curl in her tail feather that made her look like a male duck. She has been acting completely normal so I wasn’t too worried about it and was hoping it go away after her next molt. Instead she actually developed a second curl on her tail feather. From what I read having ruffled feathers could be a bad sign and I was wondering if I should be concerned, if there’s anything I should do, or if she needs to go to the vet.
Thank you!
Hayley

 

[sourland]

I have never seen or heard of anything like that. I have seen a hen with an ovarian tumor transition into a 'rooster' and have heard of others experiencing the same, but have never heard of this in a duck. As long as she is eating and apparently healthy I would not worry too much.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have read that the hormonal changes can happen to ducks as well.

 

[Eagle Flight Farm]

Yes, this can happen. Even David Holderread documented that his favorite duck as a child was “Tiny Tina”, and later became “Tiny Tim”. This happens from something causing hormonal changes. You might consult with a vet to find the cause.

 

[hayleyasaurus]

Thanks for the replies. She is old and has stopped laying this year. Not sure if ducks go through something like menopause like humans

 

[Miss Lydia]

They must because I have 1 duck 10 yrs who has stopped laying and quite a few hens[chickens] that have stopped laying 9-10 yrs old one even crows.