Hi everyone. Got another problem. It's been going on for a couple months, but, seeing as I've raised chickens for 7 years, and a duck for only 8 months, I guess I'd better ask... Meet Gertrude the rescue Mallard. Gertrude lives inside with me. For a couple months now, Gertrude has, in middle of whatever she's doing, lied flat on the ground, and makes little derp derp derp sounds. She can't be in pain, because I've poked and prodded her everywhere. She goes back to normal after a few seconds or minutes. She'll go back to normal even faster if I try to pet her. There are times, however, if I let her do the little derpy thing, I'll be able to run my hand down her back a few times. It's finally gotten to me, and after Cyndi the Buff Orpington died Thursday night, that I need to get advice on this. I would really prefer to have good news... Gertrude is eight months old, a female Mallard, is on Purina Flock Raiser, and well water. Other than the little derpy thing, she is totally normal, and happy.
Sorry to hear about Cyndi. I think Gertrude at 8 months is becoming sexually mature and is squatting for you. I can't say for sure without seeing it, but that is what it sounds like. My single female Pekin started doing something similar at that age. By the way, give her lots of yummy greens to go with the Flock Raiser considering that is pretty high in protein just on it's own.
Okay... Thank you. That's news I really wanna hear. She tends to do her little derpy thing on a blanket that I sleep with a lot, and my jeans. I thought she was just recognizing my scent.
I can't really tell you for sure, since I have not seen her do it. But if she goes back to normal than I'm sure it's nothing.
