Duck Prolapse

[Anonymous]

My 13 year old daughter had two white pet ducks, I think they were Aylesburys, they were ducklings when she got them. Unfortunately Baby Duck (2 years) was taken by a fox a couple of weeks ago, and today her companion Daisy (3 years) has died. Daisy had a prolapse which I cleaned and carefully replaced but as soon as she was back on her feet it came out again. On Saturday Daisy had laid as usual. I don't know what caused the prolapse but she had been very upset and calling for her companion. They were free range and had the run of the garden, but shut up in the coup at night. My daughter doesn't know yet that her pet has died. The ducks were very tame and were very at home with our dog and cat, it is very upsetting to lose them both and they were good layers. How long do domestic ducks usually live for and what can be done about a prolapse? Although it is too late for poor Daisy now. Please to hear some advice.

 

[Tim]

I am very sorry to hear you lost her. It is upsetting at the best of times when these things happen but when they are pets and children are involved, it's really hard.

I believe prolapse is more common in strains of birds that lay well. There are very few true Aylesbury ducks around these days - but there are a lot of commercial type white ducks that are very good layers so I would suspect she was one of these ducks. Stress I would say would have been a contributing factor - it certainly upsets the laying cycle.

Generally speaking, birds that have had a serious prolapse will often prolapse again when they lay their next egg, or, if the oviduct is damaged, will not lay again.

Ducks can live for many years and I would have her to have reached 5 to 8 years normally.

I have moved your post into the waterfowl health forum by the way