I have never owned ducks before and I have a male and female Mallard that we hatched from an incubator. They are almost 6 months old. The female stared laying about a month ago and at first was laying every day (about 1 1/2 weeks maybe 2), then no eggs for a few days, then a few days with eggs, then only two days of eggs and now she hasn't laid in 9 days. She looks like she is wearing a very full diaper (very saggy rear end area). I thought perhaps she was just holding out on us because I hadn't let them roam free in the yard for a few days but now I'm getting concerned that she is egg bound. I picked her up last night and felt her bottom but couldn't feel an egg in there. If she was egg bound would I feel an egg? Are there any other signs to look for? Is it normal for a young duck to lay inconsistently like that? The only thing that has changed is that I started introducing a new food about the same time she stopped laying but it is the high protein layer feed formula so I can't imagine that would be the problem.... I appreciate any help I can get! Thanks!
