How to tell if my duck is egg bound?

[phoenix0326]

Hi everyone,
Fairly new duck/chicken owner here (it's been a little over a year with very few problems). I have a flock of 10 with blue swedish, cayugas, and a khaki campbell named Bella Bell. I'm a little concerned for my khaki as we have two drakes from the last 4 ducklings we raised which are blue swedish and I read somewhere that, since they are bigger ducks, it can cause problems for the smaller breed females. With that said, she seems to have a slightly larger than normal "pooch" close to her vent like she's possibly carrying an egg, but she hasn't seemed to have changed that in the last several days. I'M CONCERNED THAT SHE MIGHT POSSIBLY BE EGGBOUND? HOW CAN I TELL? She seems to be pooping fine, isn't lethargic or showing signs of attempting to lay, and is eating and drinking. I know it's not currently mating season, but we lost a duck earlier this year that (I later found out) could have been saved (different ailment). I just want to make sure I know what to look for. I currently have started with the warm baths (which she is currently loving). Thank you for your help!!


(Caps on questions for easier location/skimming)

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Poke it. Is it hard? She may just be getting fat

 

[Amiga]

I think you are right to notice and to be on alert. She may have some inflammation, and that, the vet told me, is often related to egg-binding.

Can you get to a vet, perhaps get a prescription for Metacam or other anti inflammatory if the vet feels it is warranted?

Meanwhile, the vet told me also that turmeric may help reduce inflammation (it stains so be careful handling it). I have been giving the flock turmeric in their food. I switched food for a couple of days without adding turmeric, and one of my ducks started showing a little leg stiffness again. When I keep them on the turmeric, she does not show any leg problems (so, yes, lesson learned, no more switching off).

Also you could boost her calcium intake by maybe 80 mg a day for a few days, see if that helps at all. Generally if I suspect egg problems I boost calcium.

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

See, my ducks have little bumps too. They are perfectly fine, so I'm just guessing its fat or the stretch from laying. phoenix0326, you didnt say if she has continued laying.Has she? Its been two days, is she any better?
Anyway, I second the turmeric. Cant hurt

 

[lomine]

If she is pooping she is not egg bound. She can't poop while egg bound because of the way the digestive system is designed.

That's not to say there isn't a problem. It could be inflammation as Amiga suggested. Is the lump right by her vet or on her underside? If it is on her underside (like between her legs) then it is probably a fat deposit. Mine had that last winter and spring. I feed mine free choice and they started eating a lot more as the weather turned cold. I think they got fat on purpose to help them with the extra energy used staying warm.

 

[phoenix0326]

She is fine!! I put her in a warm bath to swim and be on her own. She pooped a few times and was eating. Whether it was fat or some sort of other problem, she's doing well now. I apologize for the late response as life got busy!! Thank you all!

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Thats fine! Thanks for the response anyway! Glad to hear all is well

 

[Moments]

I have a duck who's a year old and pants more than the others and when she does her tail goes up and down. It's usually during the night at bed time and I've only seen her do it once during the day. She seems to get around fine and swims. Not sure if she's pooping as it's hard to tell who's is who's lol. She's a silver swedish. I felt her undercarriage and I don't feel anything round or hard/firm. We got her about a month ago from a duck farm who said the ducks were slowing down on their laying early (we live in VT so shorter days and temps are getting cooler). We hadn't gotten any eggs from them I figured in part to that and the stress of being moved to a new environment. We got an egg a couple days ago but not sure which duck it was from as we got 3 one year olds from the farm. They get oyster shells or crushed shells offered daily with their feed as well as a brewers yeast mixed in to the feed and I started giving greens such as kale with dill. Cherry tomatoes with it on occasion and also add fresh basil sometimes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If egg bound they pretty much isolate themselves from the other birds. Or my female did. They will spend time in the nest and their vent will pulse. It's very serious to be egg-bound.
info https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...bound-ducks-preliminary.959537/#post-14940303
When giving oyster shell put it into a bowl separate from their feed, they will use it as needed.
I live in Western NC and my girls have pretty much stopped laying some are in molt too. So most likely I won't see many eggs if any till next spring.

 

[Moments]

If egg bound they pretty much isolate themselves from the other birds. Or my female did. They will spend time in the nest and their vent will pulse. It's very serious to be egg-bound.
info https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...bound-ducks-preliminary.959537/#post-14940303
When giving oyster shell put it into a bowl separate from their feed, they will use it as needed.
I live in Western NC and my girls have pretty much stopped laying some are in molt too. So most likely I won't see many eggs if any till next spring.

Ended up with 3 eggs this morning which must've been from my three 1 year old swedish ladies so she's good . The first egg we got from them since we got 'em a month ago was Thursday and then 3 today. My kids were so excited. My son has been wanting fluffy duck egg cake from our ducks