Madchook Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I have 2 young ducks about 13/14 weeks old (not that you'd know it, they are massive!) and they are losing alot of feathers on their belly/chest - they aren't bald by any means but they look very raggedy. It was just the drake, but this week the duck is also shedding. I have chickens of the same age who also just had a mini moult so I am hoping it is just because of the weather? Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Ive had ducks do a mini moult at about 11 weeks old they should be fine just keep an eye on them if your worried you could do a check for mites on them but ive never known a duck to get any leanne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamD Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 My two adults have started moulting the past couple of weeks, especially the Mallard coloured one, feathers everywhere! At least they're a bit less 'excited' now that they've started to moult Does your male have his adult male feathers yet or is he getting them now? Maybe the female is getting proper adult feathers too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Probably just a mini moult They have 2 layers of feathers, so maybe just feathering up properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted June 30, 2010 Author Share Posted June 30, 2010 He is changing colour! So I am guessing he didn't have his adult feathers after all I wasn't sure how they would end up as they are khaki x appleyards, but he is actually going kind of silvery grey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamD Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Yay, I was right! The same adult I mentioned before moulted almost all of his flight feathers in the space of a day a few days ago, was funny going to say hi and seeing all of the huge feathers everywhere lol. It kind of goes: Fluff -> Juvenile feathers -> Adult feathers then either Eclipse plumage for the males (moulting to look like the female when the mating season's over) or just a fresh set for the females I think, then back and forth between normal feathers and eclipse plumage for the males but the females just replace them and stay the same colour I always think the juvenile feathers look softer in a way than the proper adult ones... Do you have a pic of them before and after they started moulting? Just for the sake of seeing ducky pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
