Hi ya’ll. Go easy on me - I might just be making a mountain…you know.
I just have 2 pet ducks left after predators got three of their buddies. I have a hen and a drake. they get a fair amount of my attention so little things stand out and I’ve noticed the hen, Poppy, doesn’t seem herself. 3 things stand out:
1. Her feathers aren’t as smooth as before. Her preening habits haven’t changed nor has her access to fresh water. The difference is subtle but quite noticeable to me.
2. She is seems to honk all the time. Well not all the time but a lot more than before. Not her usual jab and pop. Honking.
3. She lets out pain squaks for no apparent reason. A sharp sound that seem to be saying “ouch.” Most of the time it happens when she’s eating.
here’s some data:
1. She’s still laying an egg every day. Maybe she’s getting broody? Over the last couple weeks when I get her mad Roscoe out in the morning she’s always on the nest.
2. She eats regular Purina duck pellets with free access to crushed oyster shell.
3. Treats are limited to little watermelon and a few mealworms twice a day.
I thought it might be nutrition so I just bought a small bag of layer feed and working on how to make she she eats it and Roscommon doesn’t.
Most everything I find on supplementation is to address a describes issue that doesn’t match what I’m seeing. So maybe she’s fine. Maybe she’s going to molt.
But I thought it would be better to seek advice now rather than wait for her to be really sick.
I’ll attach a picture of her next to Roscoe and I think you’ll see what I mean about her “scruffiness “.
I just have 2 pet ducks left after predators got three of their buddies. I have a hen and a drake. they get a fair amount of my attention so little things stand out and I’ve noticed the hen, Poppy, doesn’t seem herself. 3 things stand out:
1. Her feathers aren’t as smooth as before. Her preening habits haven’t changed nor has her access to fresh water. The difference is subtle but quite noticeable to me.
2. She is seems to honk all the time. Well not all the time but a lot more than before. Not her usual jab and pop. Honking.
3. She lets out pain squaks for no apparent reason. A sharp sound that seem to be saying “ouch.” Most of the time it happens when she’s eating.
here’s some data:
1. She’s still laying an egg every day. Maybe she’s getting broody? Over the last couple weeks when I get her mad Roscoe out in the morning she’s always on the nest.
2. She eats regular Purina duck pellets with free access to crushed oyster shell.
3. Treats are limited to little watermelon and a few mealworms twice a day.
I thought it might be nutrition so I just bought a small bag of layer feed and working on how to make she she eats it and Roscommon doesn’t.
Most everything I find on supplementation is to address a describes issue that doesn’t match what I’m seeing. So maybe she’s fine. Maybe she’s going to molt.
But I thought it would be better to seek advice now rather than wait for her to be really sick.
I’ll attach a picture of her next to Roscoe and I think you’ll see what I mean about her “scruffiness “.
Glad you joined.
Hello and welcome to BYC, You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members, who are more then willing to jump in and help you along your journey with any questions you may have. 
