Older duck losing weight

[QuacksALot]

hi everyone! I’ve had a pair of ducks for 8 years, they have grown with me through many phases. however I know they’re getting quite old, so i’m making sure to pay a lot more attention to them as usual. my female duck, doug (we thought she was a boy ), has been blind and deaf for about two years but she’s still doing well as quakers (the male, her mate) guides her everywhere. quakers has always had great health, coloring, movement etc. the only health problems he’s had is bumblefoot but i’ve gotten it treated, and this was around 6-7 years ago.

ok, getting to the point!
I picked quakers up for the first time in about a week (was working lots of hours and was too busy, I still cared for them obviously just didn’t spend time with them) and he felt SO. MUCH. LIGHTER. he doesn’t look super thin though, which is the thing. slightly thinner, maybe.. but im talking like 3-5 lbs lost. (he’s a very huge Pekin duck. )

he hasn’t lost any energy, still chases me around because in his eyes my entire property is his territory
im just wondering if this is part of the whole old age decaying process, as bad as that sounds. i know they’re both getting old.
should I be very concerned about this?

i just want what’s best for them, and i also want to be prepared if this is a sign of him dying. please let me know your thoughts. once again, he’s been eating well. good energy… no weird behaviors. we also recently had a wild Muscovy decide to move in and now she’s having his babies in a plant potter

anyways, sorry for the long thread full of rambling. please let me know your thoughts. i’m unable to take him to a vet for a while because i am not currently financially stable enough
thank you guys so much for your help!

 

[Eggcessive]

Posting on the duck forum may help. Tagging @Miss Lydia

 

[Miss Lydia]

Since Quackers is a very huge Pekin drake maybe losing 3 lbs wouldn't be so bad? especially for his legs which can become arthritic as they age. As long as he is eating well and moving around without difficulty. Just make sure he is eating good and you actually see him eating. You could try adding some extra calories like mealworms which are protein so won't make him fat or some dry dog kibble [good quality] Small bites another way to add some extra pounds if you think he needs to put on weight. Some vitamins might help too Poultry Cell is a very good one. I have 8 yr old Runners and Buffs and almost 13 yr old Muscovy all are still active so hopefully your boy still has some years left too.
That is so sweet he helps Doug get around to find food etc.

 

[QuacksALot]

Since Quackers is a very huge Pekin drake maybe losing 3 lbs wouldn't be so bad? especially for his legs which can become arthritic as they age. As long as he is eating well and moving around without difficulty. Just make sure he is eating good and you actually see him eating. You could try adding some extra calories like mealworms which are protein so won't make him fat or some dry dog kibble [good quality] Small bites another way to add some extra pounds if you think he needs to put on weight. Some vitamins might help too Poultry Cell is a very good one. I have 8 yr old Runners and Buffs and almost 13 yr old Muscovy all are still active so hopefully your boy still has some years left too.
That is so sweet he helps Doug get around to find food etc.

Thank you! I’m not really sure how much he weighs but now it’s a very noticeable difference whenever I pick him up, so maybe it is more than 3lbs (I’m horrible with measuring things). I have some puppy dog kibble that I’ll make sure would be safe for him. Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Might be a good idea to get a weight on him now and then weigh weekly just to make sure he isn’t still losing or if he is gaining or staying the same.

 

[QuacksALot]

Might be a good idea to get a weight on him now and then weigh weekly just to make sure he isn’t still losing or if he is gaining or staying the same.

Sounds good!