Pre-Egg Laying Illness?? Help From Experienced Duck People!

Duckiechick88

Hatching
Oct 25, 2016
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Hi guys! So I'm incredibly new to raising ducks and my pair of five and half month old Rouens are throwing me for a loop. The hen, Khloe, has been acting unusual (to me) lately. She used to want to come out of her little "house" and run around and quack insanely loud. But now she's become more of a recluse and isn't eating as much as she used to and is even sleeping way more. The drake, Froderick has taken the position in the "house" standing and laying ahead of her as if he's protecting her. He isn't eating as much either, but is still his same self. Both drink water as usual thank goodness. From the information I could find Khloe seems to be getting ready for egg laying, but it just seems to be taking such a toll on her. And after all the egg-laying horror stories I've read I'm deeply worried. Is this normal pre-laying behavior for ducks? I'm really blank when it comes to ducks. They're our first and where I'm from nobody seems to know anything about them.
 
This does not seem like normal behavior for a duck coming into lay. I would check her over thoroughly for injury or illness. She could have her first egg stuck. Feel between her pelvic bones and see if you feel anything in that generally area that is egg shaped.
 
It does sound like she needs help.

Is she getting layer feed? Free choice oyster shell? Other calcium source?

If you can get her to a good duck vet, I think you need to. Ducks can sometimes have issues when they begin to lay. Could be calcium deficiency, inflammation, infection, or congenital malformation in the oviduct.
 
Hello. I really need some help. My duckling has been coughing and has swollen glands on her neck. She was coughing a lot so I went to check on her and she was vomiting. She's acting strange too. Nothing in particular, but she's just off. What could this be? And she I separate her from the other ducklings?
 
I would get her to a vet immediatly ducklings should never throw up or be coughing all that much. See if there is an emergency vet in your area.


That's what I was doing. I've been calling veterinary hospitals, but none so far have doctors or proper tools for birds! But she just threw up a lot, then stopped. I gave her a tiny bit of food and water and she did ok, but now her glands aren't swollen. Could this have been an allergic reaction?
 
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She's gotten better in the vomiting sense and the gland, but now she makes a small noise when she breaths. It's sounds kind of like a soft "eh". I will bring her, but I would still appreciate some possible problems.
 
Well it could be a genetic defect in the stomach lining due to the throwing up. Or it could be respiratory problems. She could have an impacted crop or an infected crop or a not fully formed crop. The problem could be genetic, or it could be illness. It could be from parasites or from something she ate. There are many possibilities.
 

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