[Jaymac76]

Hi I have 5 Indian runners 3 ducks and 2 drakes I feed them on chicken layers, they just don't look healthy look like they are moulting all the time could it be the food. I give then clean water and fresh food every day they lay nice eggs but just don't look 100% hope someone can help.

[Bodger]

Are they free ranging?

[Jaymac76]

In the past they have not been free ranging but they r now to see if it improves things.

[zarzar]

we add cider vinegar to our guys drinking water once a week they seem to be looking better, are they able to wash in the water? as they need to keep their feathers healthy.

[Jaymac76]

Yes they can wash in fresh water and there is a 8x4 foot pond

[HesterF]

What was their run like before you let them free range? Did they have some grass in it or was it all muddy? Wondering whether it could be 'wet feather': http://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/wet-feather ?

Also have you wormed them recently?

You can get specialist waterfowl pellets - I buy them on line - but I think when they're laying they should have layers. Just that waterfowl growers might give them a bit of a boost over the winter.

H

[Jaymac76]

Hi no grass but not muddy, I have been using verm-x not to sure if it is any good.

[HesterF]

Verm-x won't actually kill the worms so I'd put them onto Flubenvet with pellets for a week.

[Jaymac76]

Thanks I am going to try a few things mentioned and I will buy some flubenvet.

[HesterF]

You can buy the pellets from Marriages with Flubenvet already in  - they're layers pellets so if they're used to layers, that should be a breeze. Only thing is that is must be the only thing they eat that week (or as close as possible) so no free ranging at the same time.

H

[Bodger]

Ducks are generally way more healthy than chickens and aren't prone to half the diseases but I'd think seriously about keeping ducks unless I could give them space to give them lots of free range. Mud isn't good for them and their feet don't really get on with prolonged periods on a hard surface. I'm sure that some people keep them happily in small areas but they thrive best with lots of space.

[Jaymac76]

They have a lot of room to run about and not muddy at all but just don't look 100%, I tried to get marriages food today but could not find any, I phoned the company they told me the closes place was 42 miles away I said that was bit to far so they told me they would get a rep to phone me in the next 30 mins that was at 1.15 still waiting on that call.

[HesterF]

What do they have underfoot if it's not grass and not mud? Just curious!

I get the Marriages on line from Farm & Pet Place. They charge £2.50 for delivery of a 20kg sack but, like you, otherwise I'd have to drive miles. For the Flubenvet one, they have a vet call you up just to check usage but I find they just run through everything to comply with the regs. Delivery is really fast too.

H

[Kitchen Cottage]

I've got 4 indian girls in a pen but they are let out 3 or 4 days a week to a paddock. They are on layers and do fine.... but I might take some precautionary tips off this thread and worm them!

[Jaymac76]

Underfoot they have gravel, ivy, railway sleepers and other plants there is a little mud but it is not muddy and wet.