Why ducks can pinch each other's feathers
It is no secret for experienced farmers and housekeepers that ducks periodically pluck the feathers of their relatives. However, it often happens that this fact misleads newcomers in the field of bird breeding. That is why learning everything about why ducks pinch each other's feathers is a top priority for a farmer. Incorrectly drawn conclusions or common ignorance can lead to the death of the livestock.
Ducks pinch each other's feathers
Factors affecting feather plucking by ducks
It is difficult to answer unequivocally the question of why ducks pluck out each other's feathers, because the desire to damage the feather cover can wake up in them for a number of reasons. Often a waterfowl - mulard is famous for this activity. If this does not apply to your household, then perhaps it's time to pay attention to other details.
- Analyze bird nutrition. It so happens that ducks need an additional supply of vitamins. With a lack of proteins, minerals and other vital components, ducklings and adult birds begin to replenish them in an unusual way for us and pinch their “comrades”.
- The second point also concerns nutrition, but in the opposite sense. Reconsider your approach to feeding, because the ducks may be overfed. By adding bran, high-calorie vegetables and fruits to feed, you contribute to the leaching of important trace elements from the body of birds. This is due to the strong laxative effect of the listed products.
- There is no need to drastically change the diet of birds. Ducks pluck out feathers for themselves and their relatives when they are in a stressful state for themselves, which occurs after significant changes. The missing components should be introduced gradually, without frightening the pets.
- Reconsider the "place of residence" of the birds. Perhaps you have limited them in the necessary care or space. Ducklings should not be cramped, should not be in an excessively wet or dry environment. Provide them with the necessary feeders, drinkers and other accessories.
- Take a closer look at all individuals. It is possible that some feathered set a bad example for the rest. In this case, you need to think about limiting his communication with other birds. Cloned Indo-women are often ardent aggressors and react more than others to the appearance of blood.
You can't sit back
At the slightest suspicion of signs of plucking feathers, one cannot hesitate: measures must be taken as quickly as possible in order to prevent serious consequences. When the feather cover is removed, the bird experiences not only unpleasant sensations, but also receives a huge blow to its health.
First, by pecking at feathers, ducks injure the skin, forming minor wounds or serious gaps on the integument. When blood is released, the wound continues to peck open, resulting in severe blood loss and possible infection. In the second case, the situation is considered extremely dangerous, because it can provoke the death of a bird.
Secondly, when ducks pluck feathers at a young age, they seriously injure the psyche, becoming aggressive and angry. Be attentive to the ducklings when transferring them to walking content, because it is during this period that aggression can be manifested, pulling out feathers that have recently appeared. If the question of why the ducks pinch each other until they bleed is already clear, then we have yet to find the answer to the question of what to do in this situation.
Duck Conflict Resolution Ways
Noticing that the ducks pluck out the feathers of their comrades, it is important to neutralize the conflict in time and find the true reason for this behavior. You can try applying one of the tips below in practice.
- If the reason is the aggressor, then he must be calculated and sent to another place.
- You can try dimming the lighting in the house. Even if it is not the main reason for aggressive behavior, it can calm down a little birds plucking feathers from themselves or from other ducks.
- It is necessary to reduce the consumption of vegetables by birds, especially pumpkin and zucchini. Having a laxative effect, they are aimed at washing out not only harmful substances, but also useful components. By the way, this is one of the main reasons why ducks pinch each other's feathers, because birds are simply trying to make up for the lack of substances in the body.
- The winged should be dispersed, because often they do not have enough space or not all of them are able to get to the feeder and drinker. The location of nesting places should be at a proper distance from each other, and the necessary drinkers and feeders should be enough for everyone.
- Feathers can deteriorate due to the fact that the house atmosphere is either too humid or too dry. The desire to get rid of the "spoiled" and leads to further actions. When the rest of the ducks see the appearance of blood on the wound, mass pecking begins, therefore a normal temperature and regular ventilation are extremely necessary.
- It is important to take the birds for walks to the lake for a swim. There they pluck not feathers, but shells and duckweed. Plus, outdoors, they won't feel cramped.
- Many farmers recommend a beak trimming procedure for ducks, which is considered a controversial decision, which is better to talk to a veterinarian, because the duck can remain disfigured.
Alternative methods
If none of the above tips is suitable, it's time to come to grips with adjusting the winged food. This is the main answer to the question of what to do when avian cannibalism occurs. To change your diet, you can perform a number of simple steps that are recommended by professionals.
First of all, it is necessary to diversify the feed with calcium, arginine, methionine, cystine. These substances will be able to discourage the desire to pluck feathers from themselves and others. In addition, in the right amount, these trace elements contribute to the healing and growth of a new cover. The effect of sulfur also has a beneficial effect on metabolism, which is important for weight gain. You can buy feed with sulfates, copper, iron.
Another way is to use medications to maintain the health and fitness of the winged. The acquisition of Perovin or Tetravit will be successful. Also, the necessary drug in the first-aid kit is an antiseptic, which should be used to treat damaged areas of birds. You need to give the birds soybeans, sunflowers and flax, add some fresh fish to the menu (3 pieces are enough per bird several times a day), flour, minced meat. Waste from meat processing plants can be used.
Ducks pluck each other's feathers if they do not receive a certain dose of fat, so it is advisable to diversify the diet with milk powder and dairy products, collect some crushed needles, grass flour, fresh herbs - let the pets pinch them. You also need to feed the ducklings with crushed chalk and table salt daily.
It is allowed to replace regular feed with a mixture of boiled potatoes, herbs and bread. If you offer ducks a bunch of greens, cabbage or dandelion, they pluck them, forgetting about their former aggressiveness. Mostly, by changing the diet, the ducklings stop maiming each other.
Finally
Thus, it is not so difficult to find out the reason why birds pluck out each other's feathers. Correct identification of it will lead to an appropriate solution and elimination of the problem. You should be especially careful with little ducklings, weaning them from cannibalism with the help of raw fish from childhood. By consuming a little sprat or capelin, young ducklings will satisfy aggressive urges.
Whatever the true cause of the problem turns out to be, do not forget about proper care of the house. Caring for and attention to the birds will help to warn them against unpleasant and cruel "duck conflicts", and will also save pets from losing blood and health, which cannot be achieved by letting things go: this way you can harm not only the winged, but also yourself, because there will be losses essential.