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What is the cause of plumage remaining wet and drab in young (5 months old) ducks? Is it likely to be nutrition or parasites?
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Call ducks Gender: Male Age: 65+ Already Tried: Changed pepping but very obvious when compared with adult ducks (no such problem) of the same breed. Wonder whether use of rice hulls as bedding (quickly becomes damp) is part of the problem.
Hello!Thanks for using JustAnswer.com, I'm Dr. Dan and I'll try to help you.The look of the damp drabness of the feathers is due generally to one or two things. The first is a genetic malfunction of the uropygial gland (preening gland) at the base of their tail. This is where the oil is produced that ducks of all ages use to clean and waterproof their feathers. The other likelihood is that these bird's diet is low in fats and oils or is old and has rancid unusable fats and oils causing these birds not not sufficiently make the oils they need to waterproof their feathers. I'd change food to a fresh batch (including fresh at the store not old stock) and possibly a different variety with a higher oil/fat content. Dr. Dan
Experience: 8 years of pet, wildlife, and zoo avian experience