Is my Buff duck about to lay eggs???

[ash661]

I have a female domestic Buff duck, She's about 15-17 weeks old, and recently started acting strange. Shes getting cranky and overprotective of herself, and usually she is VERY loving towards me and my fiance. Her feathers are ruffled everytime she lays down, and shes been laying down constantly. Shes a lot less active but still cleans herself and eats and drinks a bit less, but still does. Her tail is a bit lower than usual. and shes sticking around the same spot (laying down). We dont own any other ducks. Information please?? Not a very experienced duck owner, but Ive been trying to educate myself.

 

[70%cocoa]

Hmm...she may be getting ready to lay. 17 weeks is not unheard of for laying to begin (generally it is a little older though...maybe 20 weeks on....but there are exceptions to the rule!).

When you say that she lays down, where does she lay down? In a nest or in a secluded area, or out in the open?

Is she walking normally? Have her poops been normal looking (i.e. looking like they have always looked)?

 

[ash661]

Ive heard of them laying as early as 14, although it seems rare.
Shes mostly laying down next to her food and water, and sometimes with me, although its been rare for a few days.
She wobbles when she walks, and seems slightly off balance. I took her to the vet a few weeks ago for antibiotics for breathing issues, but those seem to have gone away. She seems tired all the time now (2-3 days) , but still cleans herself.
Shes pooping less today, and its more watery than solid,but the same color as always. The poops themselves are about 1/4 to 1/2 the size of her normal ones.
Do you have any idea whats going on?
Thanks for the reply

 

[70%cocoa]

When you pick her up, is she the same weight and does she seem to have about the same muscle as she normally does? Or does she seem to be lighter and skinnier? If she is, that could be a sign of an ongoing illness. I'm asking because you say her poops are smaller and that she may be eating less.

I suspect that she may still be unwell, though I'm very sorry that I can't say what it might be. Is another vet visit a possibility?

 

[ash661]

Thank you!! I think she must have eaten something bad when I wasnt looking yesterday, because I woke up today to her usual routine of pecking and talking. Shes not ruffled anymore, and acting like herself again. Shes running arround acting normal and obnoxious haha.
Im going through everywhere shes been trying to find what could have made her sick so it doesnt happen again.
Thank you so much for the help!!!

 

[70%cocoa]

It's fantastic to hear that she is so much better today!