Vertical Bone Underneath the duck - Length of her Body.

[Duck Lady1]

I'm noticing that my adult layer duck has a very defined long rigid bone that I can feel when I lift her up - it seems to run from her chest to her pelvis.

I've always noticed it slightly but lately it seems more pronounced. Is this normal?

 

[HappyDuckie]

That sounds like the keel bone. When the keel is more prominent, it is because they are skinnier. What feed does she get? Does she free range?

 

[neo71665]

I know it's a chicken but same bone

 

[theycallmechickmagnet]

Maybe she's losing weight? I had a duck where I used to not even notice the bone, but then she became ill and stopped eating, so the bone was sticking out more and more. And she died sadly because we couldn't help her despite trying everything. I would say to keep an eye on your duck and make sure she is eating enough, and maybe add some more nutrients (idk about ducks nutrient needs but im sure someone on here knows)

 

[Duck Lady1]

That sounds like the keel bone. When the keel is more prominent, it is because they are skinnier. What feed does she get? Does she free range?

Yes, I figured it out and I feel horrible about it - I think it's my fault - I think she injured her keel bone.

Her sister died recently bc our pond got VERY VERY low and she got some kind of infection. So until the water level in the pond comes up (I'm noticing the geese on the same pond having very low #'s of gooselings - I think the water is contaminated).

So until the water level comes up and I feel better about the pond, I'm keeping her in my fenced in yard with the ducklings.

I made the mistake of putting the baby pool on cement rather than grass. I feel just awful.

Do you think this will do her in?

 

[neo71665]

Find your county extension office. They can point you to how to find where you can get your pond tested.

 

[KaleIAm]

Yes, I figured it out and I feel horrible about it - I think it's my fault - I think she injured her keel bone.

Her sister died recently bc our pond got VERY VERY low and she got some kind of infection. So until the water level in the pond comes up (I'm noticing the geese on the same pond having very low #'s of gooselings - I think the water is contaminated).

So until the water level comes up and I feel better about the pond, I'm keeping her in my fenced in yard with the ducklings.

I made the mistake of putting the baby pool on cement rather than grass. I feel just awful.

Do you think this will do her in?

I'm sorry to hear about her sister.

I have always been able to easily feel the keel bone of all my ducks. If you can't find it that probably means they are overweight.

My ducks are pretty clumsy when exiting their pools, so I think it is good to not have the pool on concrete. But I also think there might possibly be something else going on and without a vet and an x-ray it is hard to say. Maybe she is eating less because she lost her sister. Maybe she has internal parasites. Maybe she contracted something from that water and it is affecting her slower.

Personally I would, at the least, weigh her now and every few days to see if she is having a problem maintaining her weight.