Not again 😣

[Canadian Wind]

Just gave her a bit more calcium, she's suddenly behaving "better". But it was an hour or so of contractions. Very clear contractions. So like with one of the previous times, I just don't trust it. Her contractions have stopped, so I took her out, gave her more calcium, and I'll get her back in once they start again. If they start again. I shouldn't have waited. I should have just taken her to get checked, this is my fault.

Don't blame yourself. You've been doing everything you can, and have been following advice.
Honestly, you've done more than required to help her out.

 

[fluffycrow]

Exactly. You've done so much for her, don't blame yourself for a second of this. Most would've done way less. I'm so so sorry you have to go through all this stress

 

[Isadora]

this is my fault.

Don't even say that. You are one of the most conscientious poultry keepers I've ever seen. And you know how many vets actually suck in regards to knowledge about ducks. You've been doing great so far. I think your duck is a special case due to her breed. Hang in there. We're all here to help and support you.

 

[Maddcatter]

Well this is heartbreaking. It's not your fault, hon. Helping animals is basically always a guessing game because they can't tell us exactly what's going on. You're very clearly doing the best you can, and that's ALL you can do.
Besides, you're watching your little girl more closely than vets watch animals, imo.
Keeping her in a darker room night help her stay calm and quiet, you'd know better than I. Otoh, I'm not sure it'll effect the egg laying like it does chickens.
Im sorry you and your little girl have to go through this. I hope it gets better soon!
We'll be here, if you need anything.

 

[BelovedBirds]

She just laid it... finally
It was technically a soft shell, but one of the strongest they've ever laid- it had some calcium in it, just not enough.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I really appreciate all of the support, the recent posts genuinely reduced me to tears lol. It means a lot, thank you all for being here. This is a really stressful time for us

 

[Miss Lydia]

So thankful to hear she laid. it's so hard to know if you should give her more calcium or back off the doses because if you give her more she lays with calcium on it then you back it off and she lays a soft shell. I really don't know what can be done to make this okay for her. Your doing great helping her through this.

 

[BelovedBirds]

So thankful to hear she laid. it's so hard to know if you should give her more calcium or back off the doses because if you give her more she lays with calcium on it then you back it off and she lays a soft shell. I really don't know what can be done to make this okay for her. Your doing great helping her through this.

Thank you, I'm really trying for her.
My gut feeling is that for now more may be safer than less
I'll do 1.5 tablets tomorrow, in-between the two doses, and see how we go with that

 

[BelovedBirds]

So, she's feeling better this morning after a very long sleep in a warm room- should I get them back outside? I'm assuming keeping the room dark and keeping them in won't change their laying cycle immediately... but should I try it longterm starting now? I know it seems unfair on them, but I really want her to take a break from laying
The only other home method I know of is making her go broody, but that'd take longer and I really don't think she would go broody.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-there-a-way-to-stop-a-duck-from-laying-eggs.967085/ post 4 tells you about keeping her in the dark.

I've never had to do this so hopefully someone who has can give you update on if it worked or not.