Water belly?

[Poultry by the Numbers]

She is 16 weeks old. She eats organic grower (Scratch & Peck) and has a grassy area to forage in everyday. I was able to feel it and it was soft (nothing firm or warm). She seems to move fine and behave normally.

I am worried it is water belly...please help

 

[416bigbore]

Hello, What cute little babies you have. I was curious about this also, we have this going on with a few of our Rouen/Pekin mix. I didn't know what this was until I seen your pictures and googled water belly and this is what I found.

Doctor 0, @Isaac 0 should be making his rounds soon and should have more info on this condition and if it can be addressed.

https://www.poultryhealth.ca/ascites-water-belly/

 

[Isaac 0]

Luckily ducks don't tend to suffer from water belly as much as chickens do, and in the case of you're a bird, it just looks like a low hanging abdominal pouch, common with layers. If it was ascites, it'd be much more swollen, and "bloated" looking.

I also see you're feeding "scratch- and peck" to my knowledge, that's for formulated chickens. It may be best to switch over to a feed designed for waterfowl specifically, or for chickens/ducks, like Mazuri, All Flock feed, or Purina flock raiser.

 

[Chicalina]

Seems young for that too?

My experience with it was in an older hen.

 

[Isaac 0]

Seems young for that too?

My experience with it was in an older hen.

I've seen it in younger hens as well, just more common with older hens. Breed and genetics can play a big role in development of the pouch.

 

[Chicalina]

I've seen it in younger hens as well, just more common with older hens. Breed and genetics can play a big role in development of the pouch.

That is interesting. I learn something new every day on here.

 

[Poultry by the Numbers]

Luckily ducks don't tend to suffer from water belly as much as chickens do, and in the case of you're a bird, it just looks like a low hanging abdominal pouch, common with layers. If it was ascites, it'd be much more swollen, and "bloated" looking
I also see you're feeding "scratch- and peck" to my knowledge, that's for formulated chickens. It may be best to switch over to a feed designed for waterfowl specifically, or for chickens/ducks, like Mazuri, All Flock feed, or Purina flock raiser.

Thank you! Although we plan to switch to Purina Flock Raiser once the birds are a little older Scratch & Peck is for both chickens and ducks. I have reached out to them before to confirm things like their niacin amount in the feed.

That makes me feel much better! When trying to research I was only finding information on water belly (or an oviduct problem) which was making me start to worry.

 

[Poultry by the Numbers]

She is 16 weeks old. She eats organic grower (Scratch & Peck) and has a grassy area to forage in everyday. I was able to feel it and it was soft (nothing firm or warm). She seems to move fine and behave normally.

I am worried it is water belly...please help

Hello, What cute little babies you have. I was curious about this also, we have this going on with a few of our Rouen/Pekin mix. I didn't know what this was until I seen your pictures and googled water belly and this is what I found.

Doctor 0, @Isaac 0 should be making his rounds soon and should have more info on this condition and if it can be addressed.

https://www.poultryhealth.ca/ascites-water-belly/

Thank you! They are a little flock of Anconas, Buffs and a Blue Swedish.

 

[TiffPach]

My 15 week old Rouen is showing the same thing. No hardening nor is it effecting her day to day activities. They are fed Purina duck pellets. Her sister has no signs of having the sagging so I was worried for water belly as well.

 

[Isaac 0]

My 15 week old Rouen is showing the same thing. No hardening nor is it effecting her day to day activities. They are fed Purina duck pellets. Her sister has no signs of having the sagging so I was worried for water belly as well.

How does the area feel?
Fatty, like a water balloon, or hard?