I think my ducks have wet feather. What should I do going forward?

HollowOfWisps said:

They do have wet feather.
Four large breed ducks at their age living in a damp shower is definitely way too small and could cause it. Ducks love water, but they must be able to preen and fully dry then stay dry until they swim again everytime. Living in a wet damp shower would not allow them to do this. I would move them outside immediately if possible. What brand/type of feed are they on? Also are you feeding any treats/extras? They are going to need all of the nutrition they can get and good protein to molt out the damaged feathers.

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I will definitely have them all living outside in a couple of days! They’re checking out their new home as we speak lol.

I currently have them on Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles mixed with Nutritional Yeast. They also get mealworms and or peas pretty regularly. We do have some Nutri-Drench like @ruthhope suggested, so I’ll add that to their drinking water too.

I’ll post back here if their condition seems to be improving / worsening. Thank you both for the suggestions

KathiQuacks said:

I will definitely have them all living outside in a couple of days! They’re checking out their new home as we speak lol.

I currently have them on Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles mixed with Nutritional Yeast. They also get mealworms and or peas pretty regularly. We do have some Nutri-Drench like @ruthhope suggested, so I’ll add that to their drinking water too.

I’ll post back here if their condition seems to be improving / worsening. Thank you both for the suggestions

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Good job @KathiQuacks -- I am sure that they will look good with fine feathers in a couple of weeks getting outside and having room to preen and dry off.

ruthhope said:

@VicktoriaGiuergia Small ducklings always need supervised swimming in shallow pans as they are not waterproof. By 8 weeks old, ducklings can have access to a kiddie pool with stones/pavers/wooden ramp so that they can get out. This is not wrong @VicktoriaGiuergia. Yours that drowned must not have been able to get out of the kiddie pool.

I personally keep my ducklings in the brooder in the house until they are 8 weeks old: they only go out in the the kiddie pool when I am with them. Mine do not free range until they are at least 12 weeks but all are out free ranging during the day at 16 weeks.

With your ducklings, you might just try with the ducking separated for longer. Separate them where they can see and be seen by the others. Then shart letting them get together while supervised for short periods.

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When they are very young I do not let them swim in the kiddie pool alone. I am always there. When they are 2-3 months old (the age of the ones that drowned) they go to the big ones pen & have all the frills they need to get in & out. After the demise of Mutt & Jeff I watched all very carefully. That's how I saved Tirus. My ducks are quite large. They had no problem swiming in the tub. I had five brooders for different ages. I cried when any thing happens to my ducks & there is a preditor on the property so I can not let them free range.

Vicktoria Giuergia said:

WRONG!!!! I have had 2 ducklings die from water. They had a kiddie pool to swim in. One I saved, wrapped in a towel & put under an incubator lamp. He survived!! He & his friends live in a huge pen. ( I won't let them free range until I find out what is attacking my ducks & wild rabbits) My current dilemma is: ducks that were raised together originally, put in separate pens for a couple of weeks put back together again & not adjusting to each other. It's been 3 days & they are in different parts of the pen. When 1 group (of 4) is with the other 2 they peck at them. I am trying to find a home for the 2. I don't want anyone hurt. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

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It depends on the age of the ducklings, the ones in this thread are old enough to preen and waterproof- so are safe to swim. Young ducklings should not, as they can get waterlogged and chilled, inable to get out. Ruthhope isn't wrong, she just isn't talking about the same age group as you.

Could the ducks see eachother while in separate pens? When you say peck, does anyone actually get hurt or is it just a bit of dominating- how old are they? Do you know the sexes?
Ducks will establish a hierarchy, and usually work these things out. You could, if anyone is getting hurt, put the main bully into a dog crate immediately for 5 minutes or so. Then back out. Over time hopefully this one will calm down. If it is too much and they're being aggressive, I would start over, introducing the naughty couple back to the group with see but no touch.

Vicktoria Giuergia said:

When they are very young I do not let them swim in the kiddie pool alone. I am always there. When they are 2-3 months old (the age of the ones that drowned) they go to the big ones pen & have all the frills they need to get in & out. After the demise of Mutt & Jeff I watched all very carefully. That's how I saved Tirus. My ducks are quite large. They had no problem swiming in the tub. I had five brooders for different ages. I cried when any thing happens to my ducks & there is a preditor on the property so I can not let them free range.

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By 2-3 months old they should be okay, I agree with ruthhope, they mustn't have been able to get out of the kiddie pool. And probaby had wet feather? If they become watedlogged it'd be harder to get out.
With free ranging, there will always be a predator somewhere, whether it's a hawk or cat or dog or fox or snake or rat. Personally I'd only ever free range supervised, but large pens work well for me. My girls love their pen, they have all they need in there and room to run around and spread their wings- I go in often and leave the door open, they look outside but have no interest in going out- introverts just like me- lol. Free ranging sounds great, but it does come with its hazards, and there will always be some predator or another, so be careful with them, and prepared for that.

Update:
Everyone is waterproof! Or at least semi-waterproof. Water rolls right off their backs now, and I think they love water even more than before. I’m surprised they improved so quickly, but I’m also not complaining lol. Thank you everyone again for your help.