Brillopad Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 My beloved Aylesbury duck is around 8 years old >> she's always been a prolific layer, producing around 100 eggs each cycle. However, the last cycle she laid just two before stopping (around last spring) and she hasn't laid since. Has she simply reached the end of her egg-laying years or is there some deficiency in her diet? I feed her a mixture of layers pellets, corn and porridge. As an aside, she goes nuts for snail shells >> is there some alternative supplement I can give her when shells are in short supply? I always assumed this was connected to the egg laying (shell formation etc.) but perhaps it's something else. One other question: how many times a year should she be shedding her feathers? Many thanks in advance for any advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 If she's been on the same feed for 8 years I wouldn't have thought it would be diet related but more due to her age. Layers pellets is a complete balanced diet, mixed corn is ok to give as a treat in winter afternoons but not really necessary. Mixed Grit with Oystershell is a good alternative to snail shells if you think she's been self supplementing. The only other thing is has she been wormed with Flubenvet? It may be worth getting a fecal worm egg count done to see if they need worming. They usually moult once per year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brillopad Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 Many thanks for the response! I'll try getting some Mixed Grit With Oystershell (I'm assuming that's all one product) and adding that to her diet - she's pretty good at letting me know her thoughts! I've never wormed her >> I'm embarrassed to say it never occurred to me! How would one go about getting a faecal worm egg count done? Just gathering up a clump of faeces and taking it to a vet? Though I've not kept a record of dates etc. I'd say she has a moult at least twice a year >> is something amiss with that? When I'm hosing off her bowls in the morning, she'll come running up to me and wait for a shower (whereas when she's moulting she won't). One other thing is that she can be a little bare on her backside >> is that normal? Aylesburys are quite low to the ground, so I assumed this was just basic wear. Many thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Your local vet may offer fecal testing, especially farm vets, or you can order a test kit online and post of off: Westgate Labs Worming, if necessary, is easy as you can buy layers pellets with Flubenvet already milled into it; there is no official dose for ducks but I use the chicken dose. I wouldn't worry about moulting twice a year, as you say there is always variation with animals so I'm sure it's normal for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
