Cayuga Duck - Possible Health Issue?

[Em Elle]

Our Cayuga is about 1 year old. She behaves normal, forages great - but we started calling her the low rider, because we've noticed that since she recently reached full grown, the lower portion of her neck and upper breast almost bulge out and touch the ground as she walks. She doesn't seem bothered but this but her over-all waddle seems really low. We're wondering if something is wrong?
In looking at other images of her breed, non look to have this weird almost growth looking bulge... just curious if anyone else has seen this in their Cayugas? is this normal?

 

[Amiga]

@Em Elle

Hi,

Does she look this way first thing in the morning? Does she have food with water 24/7? Some guesses are she may be overeating, or she may have an imbalance in her system, like a yeast infection in her digestive system.... there are a few things that could be going on.

Have you felt it? I would stroke from neck downward, we don't want to send food in the wrong direction.

Does she get grit? Has anything been sprayed on the grass? Brainstorming here.

 

[Em Elle]

Hi @Amiga ...she looks this way at all times, not just first thing in the morning. She and another duck are with our chickens - so yes, we keep their food and water available to them - we also let them out to forage the backyard on afternoons/evenings and weekends. Nothing is sprayed on the grass.

I can't feel the lump, while she'll come by me and get near me...she never lets me pick her up.

What is grit?

Currently her diet is the chicken feed + a corn mix...and I about every other day will give her spinach leaves because she loves them. Also we'll throw fruit and veggies in the yard from our garden or fridge that are on their way out...

 

[cayugaducklady]

My girls look like that after they've gorged on something yummy. They waddle differently when they're full because it looks like it changes their center of gravity a bit.

I would suggest grit and a calcium source like oyster shell. Spinach is a healthy green but it does interfere with calcium absorption. At one year she should be giving eggs (currently or soon if she didn't start laying last year) and will need calcium to make the egg shell.

Grit is like tiny little rocks that ducks swallow to help them "chew" food. It is purchasable at feed stores and TSC.