Why do ducklings go bald: causes and what to do, how to prevent the problem

When growing ducklings, farmers face such a problem as baldness as a result of feather loss. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. To understand everything, let's look at why and when ducklings go bald, what can lead to such a problem and how to deal with it at home, as well as preventive measures that can prevent bird baldness.

Vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition

Feathers in young and adult ducks fall out from a lack of protein, vitamins and mineral elements (especially the amino acids methionine, sulfur and calcium) in the feed. Moreover, in order for the feathers to begin to fall out, this deficit must be significant and last a long time.The feather falls off the backs, sides, neck, belly, large feathers on the wings and tail remain.

It's all about the wrong feeding. In order for the birds not to go bald, greens, young grass, and duckweed must be present in their food. As well as grain, root crops, vegetables, fish and dairy waste. The more varied the food, the better. If there is a lack of quality products, then you need to use premixes, yeast, chalk. Add bone meal, crushed shells, shells. Useful small fish and earthworms.

To quickly make up for the lack of vitamins, ducklings need to be drunk with vitamin preparations in drops. You can buy it at veterinary pharmacies or livestock stores. The dosage and course of treatment are prescribed in the instructions.

Cannibalism among ducks

Due to poor feeding, ducks can start pecking each other's feathers, pecking at the skin until they bleed. But the reason for this behavior is not only this. Pecking and feather plucking is the result of crowded housing, when there is not enough space, ducks feel uncomfortable.The mental state of the ducklings worsens, which is why attacks on each other begin. Bright light can also cause cannibalism.

If mulards have a bald back or neck due to feather pecking, you need to seat the livestock in another room or walk longer in the paddock.

And also, if the reason is bright lighting, hang a red lamp in the house, the light of which will distract the ducklings from pecking.

Pecking can also be observed when adding new birds to an already formed flock. Ducklings can peck at the weak, thus establishing a hierarchy. If this is the reason, aggressive ducklings need to be separated for a while. After 1-2 weeks, when new individuals are accepted into the flock, the bully can be returned back.

Feather parasites

If the feathers of ducklings fall out, and they itch, behave restlessly, eat poorly, this is a consequence of bird infection with feather parasites. If red dots are visible on the skin, this only confirms the diagnosis.

Ducklings need to be examined - lice and fleas can be seen all over the body, but parasites accumulate on the head, flanks and stomach.

Control measures - treatment with acaricides. Available in spray or powder form. It is necessary to process the entire livestock, regardless of whether the duckling is infected or not. If there are chickens, geese, turkeys, quails in the courtyard, they may also have parasites. They are also subject to processing, as well as the room where the bird lives.

To prevent the appearance and reproduction of parasites in the house, there should always be a vessel with sand or ash. Ducklings will bathe in it. In addition, you need to clean the room, replace the bedding as often as possible, clean the feeders and drinkers, disinfect or at least steam.

Crowding

If ducklings are forced to live in a cramped duck house, they behave aggressively. They can fight and pluck feathers. This usually does not happen if the bird density standards are observed - per 1 sq. meter duckling can accommodate no more than 2 adult ducks or 5 pcs. young.

The situation worsens if the bird is not allowed to run or does not spend enough time outside to work up and rest. A platform should be equipped next to the poultry house where ducklings can walk in the sun. Walking walls are best made mesh. Better yet, take the young to a pond if it is nearby.

For a waterfowl, this is a great place to swim and eat natural food.

Lighting also plays a role. Little ducklings need to be lit for at least 20 hours a day. In this case, one cannot do without artificial lighting, despite the season. By the age of two months, it is necessary to bring the duration of illumination to 12 hours and maintain it throughout the entire growing period.

Poor ventilation and low humidity

Air that is saturated with ammonia and other harmful substances released during the decomposition of manure has a bad effect on any living organism. If the room is not ventilated, the ducks are forced to breathe such air. Low (below 50%) humidity also negatively affects the pen. It makes the feathers dry and brittle and they fall out.

For a comfortable stay of a bird in a duck house, it is necessary to maintain a humidity of 65-70%. This can be done by installing several containers of water in it. It will evaporate, increasing humidity on hot summer days.

Air temperature - not higher than 27-30 °С in the 1st week of keeping ducklings, 23-26 °С - from the 2nd week and 19-22 °С - from the 3rd . We must not forget to ventilate the house every day by opening windows and doors.But it is better to install a ventilation system that will artificially maintain an optimal microclimate.

If ducklings lose their feathers or pluck them, this is a signal that the owner has made serious mistakes in keeping or feeding them. To identify the cause, you need to analyze how the diet is composed, whether it lacks all the nutrients or not. Is there enough space, how do the ducklings behave, are they calm or excited. Usually, if you manage to normalize nutrition, provide everyone with sufficient "living space", take care of the prevention of infection with parasites, the problem with feather loss will be solved.

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