Loose skin/pudge between ducks legs?

[Beanfox]

Wondering about my female ducks with loose skin or pudge between their legs? I suppose lower bellies would be more accurate.

I just really noticed it this week. Only showing in 5 of our females (we have 14) - our 3 youngest and 2 others

Is this a sign of overweight? Health issues? Or is it just something that happens when the females are laying eggs?

Ours started laying again late January/beginning February.

I tried to google but was getting results for unrelated things

 

[Beanfox]

Just to add, I do have calcium out for them. The oyster flakes, seems to be their fav

 

[Cayuga_Girl]

Hi,

Was wondering if you ever figured this out. My female Cayuga has the same issue and I'm not sure if she needs medical attention.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi,

Was wondering if you ever figured this out. My female Cayuga has the same issue and I'm not sure if she needs medical attention.

Welcome to BYC

Can put post a few pictures front view whole body?

There is health issue called Ascites [water belly]
https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/poultry-101/my-experience-with-ascites-water-belly/

Also when laying some females get a pouch my Cayuga does when she is laying as do my Buffs it doesn't show as much on my Runners.

 

[Cayuga_Girl]

Thanks for the quick reply. I've attached photos both front and side. You can't really see it from the front but the side view shows the pouch/lump. She looks a lot like the photos in this thread rather than those I've seen with ascites so I wasn't sure if this is just a normal development for Cayuga ducks (only had Pekins & Buff previously) rather than a sign of infection. She stopped laying about a month ago and just finished a full molt so I assumed she wouldn't start laying again until next year. Only noticed the sagging area yesterday - it's pillowy and doesn't seem sensitive to touch also she is active, eating normally and overall happy so I'm tempted to just keep an eye on her for now...but it would give me a little peace of mind if others have had similar condition without it being a medical problem.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She's adorable and looks so much like my Olive.
She sounds healthy from what you have said about her, so I'd just keep an eye on her for now. My Olive is 6 yrs old so more white. I think your girl is okay. Those pouches can make us worry but even my Goose has one so they are pretty normal for layers.

 

[Toad9000]

All 3 of my Khaki hens have this. Haven't seen any issues yet.

 

[Cayuga_Girl]

Thank you both so much for the input! I'm feeling better about it now. Olive is beautiful!! - they do look very much alike. I was surprised when our girl gained her new white feathers this year but think it adds a lovely contrast. Hope she gets more up top like Olive.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old is your Cayuga? I like the color contrast too. I have solid black Runners that are doing the same thing more white now than black.

 

[Cayuga_Girl]

She is 18 months and just got her white feathers after she molted last month so maybe more white to come next year. Sounds like you have a mixed flock at your house.