Possible Chronic Egg Laying Problem

[KaleIAm]

I am so sorry. I hate that they've been bred to be egg machines. It's abuse, really. (Not to be divisive - just my opinion)

I completely agree with you. I rarely use the word hate, but I very much hate it as well. It is so cruel and sad.

 

[CrystaBub]

I just found out yesterday a friend had to get her duck a hysterectomy she is a member here so I’ll try to get her to tell us about that.

I'm the friend ;D Hi Miss Lydia! I have a duck with the hormone implant and a duck who just had a hysterectomy. Both have done quite well.

The implant: In and out visit with the vet - takes 5 mins to put it in. The only thing with that is timing b/c my girl immediately goes into a very severe molt - like ALL the feathers are lost - so has to be done after it warms up a bit in the Spring.

The hysterectomy: That was quite a process - but it was needed to save her life since she had an egg literally wound up in her vent then passed to the outside of her body. It was horrible to see. They only take the oviduct - not the ovaries. She healed nicely in about 2 weeks then she was OK to go back outside and swim. The only bad part is that now she really can't have any contact with my drake - so permanent separation in mating season is required. No biggie - that's what doggie gates are for

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm the friend ;D Hi Miss Lydia! I have a duck with the hormone implant and a duck who just had a hysterectomy. Both have done quite well.

The implant: In and out visit with the vet - takes 5 mins to put it in. The only thing with that is timing b/c my girl immediately goes into a very severe molt - like ALL the feathers are lost - so has to be done after it warms up a bit in the Spring.

The hysterectomy: That was quite a process - but it was needed to save her life since she had an egg literally wound up in her vent then passed to the outside of her body. It was horrible to see. They only take the oviduct - not the ovaries. She healed nicely in about 2 weeks then she was OK to go back outside and swim. The only bad part is that now she really can't have any contact with my drake - so permanent separation in mating season is required. No biggie - that's what doggie gates are for

Thank you! The situation leading up to the hysterectomy sound nightmarish! I'm glad you were able to save her!

It will be interesting to see what my vet says. I can get her the implants - no problem. The bird vet is far, but every 2-3 months is totally doable.

Thanks for the perspective! It's great to know there are options for our sweet duckies.

 

[CrystaBub]

Thank you! The situation leading up to the hysterectomy sound nightmarish! I'm glad you were able to save her!

It will be interesting to see what my vet says. I can get her the implants - no problem. The bird vet is far, but every 2-3 months is totally doable.

Thanks for the perspective! It's great to know there are options for our sweet duckies.

It's interesting b/c the Vet originally told me to get the implant every 6 months - but we've now timed it so she gets in the Spring b/f she starts laying - then by the time it wears off, it's fall/winter and she doesn't lay anyway... So we've been very fortunate to only need it once a year. I'm just glad you are considering it - anything to help those sweet babies huh? Good luck!!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I also read somewhere that vets no longer provide it to food-producing animals. Does anyone know if that's true?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Something I find helpful is to feed layer feed on the side. While I offer oyster shells, I find ducks who are less likely to eat the oyster shells will eat layer feed. I found this to help with some of my ducks. I get better eggs and my ducks have less issues overall. I only had some really minor issues when I switched brands and they didn't like the new layer feed as well. Now they are eating it again, I have no problems again.

I might try that. I'd have to separate them from my chickens first as I have 2 roosters. But that's not out of the realm of possibilites.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I wouldn't worry too much. I find my drake hardly touches it. If they eat a little bit, it is not that bad. The layer feed probably accounts for about 20% of their diet. When I have younger ducks, I give them access to it for like 10 minutes and shoo away the young ones. My adult girls see it as a treat.

Totally worth a shot. The other thing I was thinking is adding calcium to the duckie buckets. The chickens have their own waterers. I don't think my small rooster can even drink from them. I can probably add calcium to those, too.

 

[KaleIAm]

My duck vet says that she may need 2 implants, but she's so small - only 4 lbs - I am hoping that 1 will be enough. I am ok for not using their eggs. It will make all of their eggs inedible. But if it means she'll be healthier and ahppier, I don't mind at all.

Yes, my vet also told me that my ducks might need 2. The implants were designed for smaller birds, like parakeets and parrots. My large welsh harlequin only needed one and it saved her from the pain of being egg bound every few days. She had been suffering for months before the implant. We got her a new implant every 2.5 months.

Unfortunately, my other duck passed away from reproductive cancer before we had the opportunity to know if one was enough.

 

[Quatie]

Any suggestions for good layer feed? Is there one that's better than others? I have never fed layer feed - lol!

I use Bar Ale layer feed. They are local out of willows, so I am not sure if they sell where you are at. I have been really happy with the quality of their feed. Hopefully that will help till your appointment. You will still want to give some extra calcium when she has issues. But the layer feed on the side has helped prevent issues for me.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I wouldn't worry too much. I find my drake hardly touches it. If they eat a little bit, it is not that bad. The layer feed probably accounts for about 20% of their diet. When I have younger ducks, I give them access to it for like 10 minutes and shoo away the young ones. My adult girls see it as a treat.

Any suggestions for good layer feed? Is there one that's better than others? I have never fed layer feed - lol!