Hello everyone! It seems like there are very knowledgeable people on this forum, so I hope I might be able to get some help! We have 2 female Rouens, about 1.5 years old.One of them has always laid every day; her sister lays one every other day or so, but when she does lay them, they're GIGANTIC! I mean, twice the size of her sister's sometimes. Lately she's been laying eggs even more sporadically, and we've noticed that on the days when she's not laying, she limps and sometimes lays down with her leg to the side. We think that because these eggs are so gigantic, she's having trouble laying them. Does anyone have any idea if this is what it could be, and if so, how we can help her? Thanks so much!
Farming Friends Forum » Ducks
Duck having trouble passing egg
(8 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
-
You could try bathing her undercarriage in a bowl of quite warm water, rubbing her from chest to rear.
This worked for my aylesbury who had become egg bound, and I think may have saved her life.
You may have to do it more than once to try and get her more regular though.
Its worth a try and costs nothing.
BarriePosted 1 year ago # -
Hi Laurita
I agree completely with Barrie! I had an eggbound duck, and as she wouldn't let me catch her (or I just wasn't very good at it!) I filled their pond, which is an childs old sand pit, with warm water and coaxed her in. Later that day she laid the egg and got back to normal very quickly.
good luck!
Karen xPosted 1 year ago # -
hello, Barrie and Karens advice is spot on for when you see she is clearly struggling you can also lubricate her vent area but as this is an on going problem with only one of your girls im wondering if there is anything that can be done to stop it getting to this stage, sorry don't know what though, maybe this link can help you
http://www.callducks.net/egg_problems.htm
mo xPosted 1 year ago # -
perhaps you could give her olive oil as a regular food to help with internal lubrication. Take her off layers pellets too and make sure she has loads of exercise, walking running and swimming and as much free range as possible. Poor thing, she has probably come from a line where they have been purposely bred to lay large eggs.
Sarah LPosted 1 year ago # -
Thanks so much for replying so promptly, everyone! I will definitely try the warm water bath. I've tried to feel around her tummy for the egg, but I can't feel anything.
Barrie & Karen: Is this something that you've only had to do once, and then your girls returned to normal? Of course I won't mind if I have to do this regularly, as I just want her to get better.
Mo: Thanks so much for that link; it was very informative. If this is a recurring issue, I'm worried because I can't find a vet who has really dealt with ducks before in this area. I even emailed the Avian Vets Association, and they never emailed me back.
Campbell Ridge: Do you know how much olive oil I should give her? Also, should I just feed her the normal maintenance feed instead of the layer pellets?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi Laurita
In my case, I only had to do it the once. My ducks had stopped laying during their moult, and she obviously got egg bound when she was starting to lay again. She had been in discomfort for a few days prior to the warm bath, and wasn't interested in eating or sitting with the others.
I do hope you manage to help your duck out.
Karen
Karen xPosted 1 year ago # -
Have a look here at section 22 for some suggestions. Try the warm bath every morning to try to get her more regular.
http://www.kingbirdfarm.com/Layerhealthcompendium.pdfSarah LPosted 1 year ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.