Solitary confinement or keeping a molting duck out of the rain/wind?

[casportpony]

That is what she's like....very quiet and introspectively sad looking. She was chatty and happy this morning. I hope she's alright.

My 1st round of ducks always laid eggs in the morning. Do ducks lay at different times? Say the afternoon, for example?

My duck almost always lay in the morning, whereas my peafowl always lay in the evening, chickens and turkeys, they lay at all times of the day.

 

[casportpony]

I don't have calcium pills, but I do have calcium carbonate. The powdered kind. How would I give it to her so she'll actually get it? I could put it in her water but she's a real clutz and would probably trip over it and spill it.

You could mix some with water and syringe it to her.

 

[casportpony]

She is laying down underneath my citrus tree, which has very low hanging branches, so she is somewhat hidden. I don't see her breathing heavily, so I don't think she is straining.

Sorry for all the questions. My past ducks had seamless egg laying experiences-- I opened up the door to their house in the morning and voila! Eggs! With nice hard shells.

Keep an eye on her.

 

[austroberta]

She appears to be taking a rest under the tree, as her beak is in her wing. It's not usual for her to take a nap there. For some reason all the ducks like to nap on the side driveway.

I will try the syringe. When she was a duckling, she had niacin issues and had trouble walking, so I used to have to syringed the cattle b-complex.

 

[austroberta]

Keep an eye on her.

I'll definitely keep both eyes on her. I'm checking her periodically, but she still has her beak in her wing. My other 2 ducks came over to keep her company.

I'll try and give her some calcium carbonate when I see she is up again. At one point should I freak/intervene? If she is like this in an hour, should I bring her inside to take a warm bath in the bath tub?

 

[casportpony]

I think if she hasn't laid her egg by dark you should give her some calcium. Are her feathers in good shape now?

 

[austroberta]

Sage is the young one and her feathers are immaculate. She really looks healthy and did look healthy this morning, but I am sensing something is not right.

I might try Tums. I'm sending my husband to get some. I don't think it would hurt her one way or another to give it to her. For some reason I'm thinking the syringe might be more invasive. She used to fight me tooth and nail when I had to give her the B-complex. I'll try tums first and if she spits it out, I'll give her water/calcium carbonate.

 

[austroberta]

I think if she hasn't laid her egg by dark you should give her some calcium. Are her feathers in good shape now?

She's now floating in the little wading pool. Just floating quietly. Should I just bring her inside and put her in the bath tub with warm water?

 

[casportpony]

She's now floating in the little wading pool. Just floating quietly. Should I just bring her inside and put her in the bath tub with warm water?

Letting her float in a tub or warm water could help.

 

[austroberta]

I think if she hasn't laid her egg by dark you should give her some calcium. Are her feathers in good shape now?

I just realized you might have been asking if her feathers are smooth or ruffled. They are definitely not ruffled. She's following her flock mates around but still quiet and a bit off to the side from them.