duck belly pouch- normal?

[BaileyP]

A few days ago we noticed our Buff started to develop a little bit of a pouch in her belly, and after inspection, we seemed to notice it in our pekin and runner as well. All are female but aren't currently laying, which I assume is from the season change and recent molt. I've given them all a good feel and think I've ruled out a stuck egg. Their abdomens all feel similar, squishy like a belly should feel. I of course fear ascites but it seems unlikely that three of them would suddenly start showing symptoms of something that extreme at the same time.

The only condition of theirs that has changed is our drake has recently reached sexual maturity and has begun to mate them. Is there a chance this pouch could be related to that? Reminder that none of them are currently laying eggs. I should also note that all of them are behaving/eating/pooping completely normally.

I've attached a picture of my girl June below- her pouch seems to be the most prominent of the three ducks. It's not massive but it has definitely grown compared to videos I have of her from a couple weeks ago. I'm likely being sensitive and planning a vet visit tomorrow regardless, but we've had a rough duck year and any peace of mind that this looks normal would help me sleep tonight!

 

[sourland]

Absolutely normal.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

My girls all look like this
Let us know how it goes
But to me it looks normal

 

[Aunt Angus]

Duckies get pouches when they are getting ready to lay. Those areiterally are abnormal as called "egg pouches." Abnormal abdomens are HUGE. I have a duckie who had internal laying, and her rear end looked like a water balloon. I see nothing to worry about, but it's always good to ask about anything that seems different or off.

She's ADORABLE!!!

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I have a few young ducks who developed this as they matured too.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Female ducks develop that pouch as they sexually mature. If it was ascites (fluid) it would be much larger. Just a fun fact females of most species tend to get a pouch near their reproductive organs to be able to adjust internally for eggs and babies. Even humans get that little pouch in their lower abdomen.

 

[BaileyP]

Thanks everyone! My mind is definitely at ease. They've all laid before and didn't develop this pouch, so I was worried about it because it's new.

Luckily we have a wonderful avian & exotic vet nearby. She wants to double-check on everything *just in case* especially since they aren't currently laying, but it sounds like everything is absolutely fine.

Thank goodness for this forum constantly keeping me out of panic mode. Grateful to you all!

 

[BaileyP]

BTW, June is super cute and I like her name.

Thank you! She's such a sweet duck. It sounds like our symptoms are the same which makes me optimistic that this is just a normal thing that develops as part of their reproductive system at this age. (June is approaching one year old)

Keep an eye on the thread and I'll post an update with the news from my vet!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Can't hurt to have it checked out. I'm confident she's fine, but you'll feel much better after a visit to the vet.

 

[CoriM]

Just make sure the vet is knowledgable about ducks and doesn't do any unnecessary procedures - seems like there's agreement here that it's pretty normal.