Indian runner duck neck issue

[Sarah Padley]

Hi there,

New to the forum, my little family consists of 5 indian runner ducks, 2 big boys and 3 girls, they are just coming up to 5 months old and live outside (kept in a coop through the night).

I am looking for help with one of my girls, Autumn, they get fed duck and geese finisher pellets as well as a bowl of iceburg lettuce, tomatoes in a morning (which they go mad for) they have access to fresh water as I have to refill their pond everyday ( a blue kids sand pit) and they have a big water dispenser in their place, they are bedded down on straw, which gets cleaned out fully every 2 weeks but they get fresh straw on top everyday. the last week autumn has been fine in herself and is eating but when her crop is full she seems to be struggling with it, lowering herself to the floor and walking with her body flat, I have seen her eat and take on water so I am at a bit of a loss as to what it is? and it's only when her crop is full, she is in full happy spirits and can quack very loudly......does anyone have ideas to what is going on here?

Any help would be appreciated

 

[sourland]

Do an onsite search on 'niacin deficiency' and see if that sounds like what you are dealing with. Good luck at resolving this.

 

[chickens really]

Too old for a niacin deficiency ...That happens within the first 3 weeks after hatching and it's actually more of a total vitamin deficiency ...
To me it sounds like Hen behaviour when they become sexually ready for mating...Hens lower their heads and flatten out to a mate..She might be doing that...?

 

[Sarah Padley]

thank you both for your replies, I never thought of her wanting to mate...they are still my babies haha, I will do some research, My first male I had noticed was getting a little frisky at me so it could be, I was just worried with it happen when she ate.