Shell less duck egg with broken yolk next to it

[perchie.girl]

@onaharley , now that your hen is back on track, would you like to see a picture of what can happen when an egg is retained? It's not too graphic, and the visual will explain why I was so concerned about your duck.

I would like to see it as well... good knowledge is power.

 

[onaharley]

No...Now that she is separated from the Drake she should calm down and produce regularly ..

Ahhhh, I see!!

 

[onaharley]

Watch her energy levels and regular activity... even though they are hard shelled now, passing 2 eggs a day is still not normal... it can also wear her down fairly quickly...

You got it! Today was day one of them being separated and he got to free range while I was at work. The DH came home around 3 pm and put him up and let her free range until I got home. She got to take a bath without being harassed.....which I new she like!! Tomorrow she will free range while our high here is gonna be 60F.

 

[Ravynscroft]

You got it! Today was day one of them being separated and he got to free range while I was at work. The DH came home around 3 pm and put him up and let her free range until I got home. She got to take a bath without being harassed.....which I new she like!! Tomorrow she will free range while our high here is gonna be 60F.

Glad the weather is going to be nice, we've had similar this week too...

While separating is fine to give her a break, just to be clear, the drake is *not* causing her laying issues... this is a straight out reproductive issue... hopefully her system will return to normal, but there is no guarantee, just want you to be aware...

I actually had a hen (chicken) who had almost these exact same issues... even separated by herself, they continued... eventually it wore her out to the point I made the decision to cull her... it was just not worth her struggling that much... not saying this will happen to your gal, but letting you know why we are concerned and stress monitoring her...

 

[room onthebroom]

You got it! Today was day one of them being separated and he got to free range while I was at work. The DH came home around 3 pm and put him up and let her free range until I got home. She got to take a bath without being harassed.....which I new she like!! Tomorrow she will free range while our high here is gonna be 60F.

They are flock animals. Arent they going to be lonely being separated all the time?

 

[onaharley]

Glad the weather is going to be nice, we've had similar this week too...

While separating is fine to give her a break, just to be clear, the drake is *not* causing her laying issues... this is a straight out reproductive issue... hopefully her system will return to normal, but there is no guarantee, just want you to be aware...

I actually had a hen (chicken) who had almost these exact same issues... even separated by herself, they continued... eventually it wore her out to the point I made the decision to cull her... it was just not worth her struggling that much... not saying this will happen to your gal, but letting you know why we are concerned and stress monitoring her...

Good know. This reproductive issue sure needs to get back in line.

 

[onaharley]

They are flock animals. Arent they going to be lonely being separated all the time?

I am going to separate them for a couple of weeks, to give her some recovery time. Then while still separating them, when I come home to do pen clean up I will allow let both out to have their "conjugal visits"

 

[onaharley]

I am going to separate them for a couple of weeks, to give her some recovery time. Then while still separating them, when I come home to do pen clean up I will allow let both out to have their "conjugal visits"

Also just so you know, I currently only have one hen and one drake, I am working on getting more hens so that we don't have to do the separation thing, unless necessary. It's not ideal but it's what needs to be done until I can fix this!!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Also just so you know, I currently only have one hen and one drake, I am working on getting more hens so that we don't have to do the separation thing, unless necessary. It's not ideal but it's what needs to be done until I can fix this!!

If he is not tearing up her back, back of her head or feathers, you could be just fine with the pair... plenty of pairs do just fine with each other...

 

[onaharley]

If he is not tearing up her back, back of her head or feathers, you could be just fine with the pair... plenty of pairs do just fine with each other...

Welp... the neck feathers is starting to real short, and her back feather are getting broken down. I think a cool down is in order especially with her egg issue too. Not saying that either or both are more stressful on her but what hen doesn't like a break from her horny drake!