Duck keeps having to sit down

[jools2014]

One of my ducks is sick-she came out with the rest when i let them out of their pen into the garden but then she kept sitting down constantly and I noticed her back end keeps moving up and down. She also is not walking so well. She's one of my oldest ducks at 4.5yrs old and has only laid sporadically the past couple of years-we had a fox attack and she's not really laid regularly since she lost her first two duck pals when that happened. What does everyone think-egg bound or a respiratory infection? I will be taking her to the vet if she doesn't improve. All other birds seem fine at the moment.

 

[Miss Lydia]

One of my ducks is sick-she came out with the rest when i let them out of their pen into the garden but then she kept sitting down constantly and I noticed her back end keeps moving up and down. She also is not walking so well. She's one of my oldest ducks at 4.5yrs old and has only laid sporadically the past couple of years-we had a fox attack and she's not really laid regularly since she lost her first two duck pals when that happened. What does everyone think-egg bound or a respiratory infection? I will be taking her to the vet if she doesn't improve. All other birds seem fine at the moment.

The back end moving up and down [pumping] sounds like an egg problem. See any discharge around the vent?@jools2014

If you can afford it a vet would be a good idea.. In the meantime let her have some tub time in warm water to relax her supervise too. Sometimes if it's a stuck egg being in water can help them pass it. I'd keep her inside over night in a quiet spot so she has privacy and can relax. If you have any calcium you might try offering her some smashed peas with 250mgs of calcium mixed in. Or a Tum crushed into water.

 

[jools2014]

Thank you Lydia. That's what I thought, I've only ever had to deal with sick chickens (egg yolk peritonitis) before so wasn't sure. I can try the warm water soak. I don't have any calcium-is it the type you can just buy from the supermarket like a calcium supplement? If so can get some of that. I didn't notice her vent-I haven't checked her properly yet as I was on my own today so will wait til someone else can hold her and I can look.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you Lydia. That's what I thought, I've only ever had to deal with sick chickens (egg yolk peritonitis) before so wasn't sure. I can try the warm water soak. I don't have any calcium-is it the type you can just buy from the supermarket like a calcium supplement? If so can get some of that. I didn't notice her vent-I haven't checked her properly yet as I was on my own today so will wait til someone else can hold her and I can look.

Most grocery stores that sell vitamins should have it. Egg yolk peritonitis could possibly the the problem too, best have a vet check her out. Please keep us updated.

 

[jools2014]

Update-she seems better now. She was splashing about like crazy in our paddling pool the very next day so can't have been much wrong! Still keeping an eye on her, don't know what was wrong but she's not having to keep sitting down now-maybe she had an egg stuck that she's now laid. I keep checking her and will try the vitamins and bath if she gets worse again. Thanks for your help.