Fat duck butts

[Taralynnludwig]

Ok so my 2 black girls, black swedish and cayuga, have these really low hanging butts. I have 5 out of 7 or my girls laying, could this just mean these 2 are due to start or should i take them to a vet? These are my first ducks, born aug 15 last year. This isthe first time ive owned birds and just want a duck butt opinion lol thanks!! One pic is just the crew enjoying some seeds lol

 

[QuackSpeak]

Hello!

Idon't think this is a bad thing, so here's my input.
When my Cayuga girls were around old enough to be laying, my dad made an offhand comment that they seemed lower to the ground than before. He was right, and we decided to keep an eye on them. A couple days later, they began laying eggs!
This doesn't seem like an immediate threat, and I'm 98% sure it's not, but that 2% is still out there! Hope I helped!
P.S. I love your ducks

 

[Krazyquilts]

My two Cayuga girls have butts like that too. I think it's a sign that they are laying or will be soon. Of course, my girls' butts have looked like that for over a month and still nothing!

 

[Taralynnludwig]

I was thinking it may be a layer butt thing but figured ya all could tell me for sure!

 

[lomine]

They could be close to laying or they could just be overweight.

That is also where fat is stored. I actually let my girls carry a little extra fat during the colder months to help them have the energy to stay warm (more mealworm treats to increase fat intake). Though mine aren't that big even when laying. Try feeling your ducks to see if you can feel an egg. If everything is very soft and squishy it is likely just fat.

 

[Taralynnludwig]

I dont really feel anything, on any of the ducks, but 5 or 7 are laying. I dont really give them treats much, i just have the layer food available and then they roam the yard killing pinecones and eating bugs. If i give them treats its because they came inside so my son gives them peas lol or i throw some seeds down every now and then. But they havent had mealy worms since november. Are some just more prone to getting fat?

 

[lomine]

Some breeds will be on the heavier side. I wouldn't worry about it unless you see other problems. You may want to look up the symptoms for "egg bound" and "water belly" so you know what that looks like. If they have no other issues I'd say just leave them be.

 

[Taralynnludwig]

She seems fine other than being a chunk. She still charges around the yard like a crazy thing lol. They are all a little pissy because their pool iced over but thats their only worry in life lol, the fat one is my black swedish. My cayuga isnt quite as big, her booty is still a little droopy looking, but not like this one

Cayuga is center of pic, more droopy then the other girls but less than my swedish pictured above

 

[dotknott]

It's a badonka-duck

 

[Pendergast]

It's a badonka-duck