07/10/2025
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I’ve been talking a lot about duck molting recently, because this time of year, a lot of ducks that have finished their first breeding season will be starting to go through their first big molt. Some aspects of this molt might look alarming if you’re new to ducks and seeing this happen for the first time, so here are some things you can expect, and how to support your ducks through it.
The big molt occurs after their first breeding season and usually starts in late summer or early fall. This molt involves the loss of the majority of their body feathers, including wing feathers, which is the most noticeable part of their seasonal molts. You’ll likely see feathers scattered across their area and new pin feathers growing in, which may look blue or waxy when emerging. This is completely normal. It’s worth knowing that ducks typically go through two molts a year, a lighter one in the spring before breeding and this heavier one in late summer or fall. This post-breeding molt is the most intense and visually dramatic.
During this time, be especially careful when handling your ducks. Pin feathers have a blood supply and are extremely sensitive. If damaged, they can bleed, sometimes heavily, especially if the broken feather is in a wing or tail. Also, since wing feathers are shed during this molt, flight will be affected. Ducks that normally fly will be flightless, and those that typically glide down from perches or raised areas will not be able to land as gracefully. Avoid situations where they could injure themselves by trying to jump or escape, and take extra care during handling.
Drake ducks will enter what is called eclipse plumage. Their bright, showy breeding colors are replaced with a duller, more camouflaged set of feathers that resemble those of a female duck. This change is part of a natural survival strategy. Since they lose their ability to fly during the molt, they spend more time on land and need better camouflage to stay safe from predators. While this adaptation is especially important for wild ducks, domestic ducks will go through the same transition. Their colorful plumage will return again in the winter as they prepare for the next breeding season.
Ducks do not molt like chickens do. If you’ve kept chickens before, you might be used to seeing birds go nearly bald during a molt. Ducks, however, retain enough of their contour feathers to keep themselves buoyant in water and insulated against heat loss. These contour feathers also help maintain waterproofing. During a molt, your ducks might look scruffy, patchy, or a bit uneven, but you should not be seeing large bare spots or exposed skin. If you do, it might be worth checking for parasites or stress-related feather loss.
Molting can make ducks appear less energetic or even sick. This can be completely normal. Regrowing feathers takes a significant amount of energy, and you may notice your ducks sleeping more, being less active, or looking generally run down. You’ll also likely see a drop in egg production during this time, which is normal and temporary. Their bodies are prioritizing feather regrowth.
You can support them through the molt with a diet rich in protein and by limiting stress. High-protein treats like mealworms, scrambled eggs, black soldier fly larvae, or fish-based snacks are all great options to help meet their nutritional needs during this demanding period. Make sure they have access to clean water, good shelter, and a quiet space to rest while their feathers come back in.
Molting is an intense but healthy part of your ducks’ natural cycle. With some understanding and a little extra care, they’ll get through it just fine and come out looking better than ever! Im going to be reposting all this information over on our Patreon, Im trying to create an organized, organized way to get you all some information to reference back to when common questions pop up! So if you haven’t already, check us out on there!
