How Do You Know If Your Ducks Are OVER WEIGHT?

[1234duck]

Is there a certain weight for ducks? I worry that Lucky is getting too big. He's a little over 6 mo. old. but he is a big boy. Bigger than his parents. he free ranges but not in a huge area its a decent amount of space though. Lucky is Rouen/Golden Cascade but i think mostly Rouen(favores Rouens most) ~ I keep thinking that his body is getting closer to the ground. lol Thanks, ~Julie~

 

[newbyduckmom]

I'd be curious too....my ducks seem a little well loved as well!

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

You will see issues of Jenny Craig coming in the mail to them. Lol no on a serious note, please don't get upset with me. Rouens are much larger and they will drag the ground. If something cuts or jabs in them combined with the closeness to the ground and dragging, they can get infected.

 

[Amiga]

Our vet told me that you should be able to find the bone that goes down the middle of their breast. I don't think it's supposed to stick out, but you should be able to feel a bone there without pressing hard.

Of course, with my runners, it's not much of a worry - they are such busy little ducks!

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Rouens:

There are two types of rouens, there are the show quality rouens that are massive birds and and their breasts hand on the ground, and can be used for pretty much meat only.

Then these pet qaulity rouens, they are much smaller and do not drag on the ground, heres a pic of my rouens (pet quality rouens)

Drake

Hen

Heres a google link on what show rouen look like.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/Rouens/BRKRouens.html

 

[Oregon Blues]

Ducks store a lot of fat right at their tail. The fat is softer than muscle, so you can literally pinch their butts to see how much fat they have stored there.

Before my Pekins were turned outside, they actually felt gooshy when they were picked up. Like upholstered ducks. That's a fat duck. The Appleyards at the same age felt very firm, like picking up a body builder. Hard muscle and fat feel a lot different.

Keel bone in ducks is recessed between large breast muscles. I'm not so sure about feeling the keel bone to judge weight.

But speaking of weight, they could actually be weighed.

 

[1234duck]

Thank you, Oregon Blues that is interesting. ~Julie~

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Yup, just go out and pinch his butt, just kidding lol!