True Grit

[Maddog_photog]

Hey folks!

I was noticing my two Swedish Blues walking away from me, and one had a noticeable larger front section (?) than the other. I’m wondering what it could be from..? I think I read on here that it could be from lack of grit..? I haven’t given them any chick grit as they are older than the recommended 8 weeks. They have access to the grower grit. So any advice what it could be..? Maybe just a fat duck?
In the image, it is the duck on the left.

 

[sourland]

Looks fine in that picture.

 

[Maddog_photog]

Looks fine in that picture.

So I’m just a worry wart?

 

[KaleIAm]

Do you mean one has a larger crop?

My understanding is that if they are on real ground/have access to dirt (as yours are in the photo) they shouldn't need grit. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Maddog_photog]

Do you mean one has a larger crop?

My understanding is that if they are on real ground/have access to dirt (as yours are in the photo) they shouldn't need grit. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

That’s what I’ve read too but my opinion is that I would rather they have access to too much grit, than not enough. So it’s there for them. I have a nice sized yard and yet somehow they always manage to run though it numerous times a day.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Because ducks are low on the food chain to survive in the wild they need to be able quickly eat enough food to sustain them and leave if it's not safe. A ducks esophagus will actually expand to accommodate this need for survival. To put it simply, when a duck is very full their chest will appear expanded because their esophagus has expanded. I call it "the food boob" lol

 

[Maddog_photog]

Because ducks are low on the food chain to survive in the wild they need to be able quickly eat enough food to sustain them and leave if it's not safe. A ducks esophagus will actually expand to accommodate this need for survival. To put it simply, when a duck is very full their chest will appear expanded because their esophagus has expanded. I call it "the food boob" lol

So what you are saying is my duck is gorging itself?

 

[LT71689]

So what you are saying is my duck is gorging itself?

sort of, sort of no.

They're not really "over-eating" or doing anything unhealthy, they're just packing a snack for later (in their throats) in case staying in one spot grazing for longer isnt safe, or they cant find someplace safe for later on when they're hungry again. That eat-n-run instinct stays even in captivity. Give it a little time without eating more food and they should return to normal size as their throat slowly empties the gobbled up food into their digestive system and they process the food and poop it out.

 

[Maddog_photog]

sort of, sort of no.

They're not really "over-eating" or doing anything unhealthy, they're just packing a snack for later (in their throats) in case staying in one spot grazing for longer isnt safe, or they cant find someplace safe for later on when they're hungry again. That eat-n-run instinct stays even in captivity. Give it a little time without eating more food and they should return to normal size as their throat slowly empties the gobbled up food into their digestive system and they process the food and poop it out.

Sweet!

 

[LT71689]

My two pekins would practically inhale their treats like they'd never eaten before in their lives - if they got a lot of peas they'd look a little fat in the chest for a little while until they digested a bit. If they're foraging in the dirt and have access to grit like it sounds they do, they should be fine.