WHY do fat ducks stop laying?

[Portlandistan]

I've raised ducks for 4 years, 6 in my flock, but 2024 has been the worst ever for eggs, like 50% less. I know all the usual given reasons for decline of course. Age, daylight, molting, too fat, etc, etc. I've got them on a diet which is being loudly protested.

I'm focused on their potential weight issues and wonder what the "biological mechanism" is for fat ducks to stop laying, I haven't been able to find anything like that online. Molting, daylight, etc. all make sense biologically.

It's also weird because one Swedish Blue is OBESE yet she was one of the most reliable layers this year. No idea why she's like that, compared to just the generally "fat" Rouen and Pekin, just genetic I guess, she has no greater access to food than all the others but seems to pack on the fat. (She's an oddball Swedish anyway, with white circles around both eyes like crazy googly eyes and a body that makes her look like a dodo.)

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How old are they? Have you weighed them? If so what are their weights? What are you feeding them? Do they get daily exercise?

 

[Portlandistan]

How old are they? Have you weighed them? If so what are their weights? What are you feeding them? Do they get daily exercise?

Yes, they have the full run of the yard. Age 4.5 years. I haven't literally weighed them, just did the keel test, and visually, they're fat.

They get about 2 cups of chicken layer feed split between 6 of them from an automatic feeder, twice a day (so, appx. 4 cups total daily). Since it's automated it's easy to decrease that amount, I just lower the amount it dumps. They know it's less and dislike it. They also have unlimited access to oyster shell.

 

[fowltemptress]

I assume it's the same reason fertility goes down in fat mammals. Obesity wreaks havoc on hormones and is the major cause of fertility decline in people in recent years, so it makes sense to me - though I guess as birds, it could be different for them. I've only worked with mammals, and couldn't say.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes, they have the full run of the yard. Age 4.5 years. I haven't literally weighed them, just did the keel test, and visually, they're fat.

They get about 2 cups of chicken layer feed split between 6 of them from an automatic feeder, twice a day (so, appx. 4 cups total daily). Since it's automated it's easy to decrease that amount, I just lower the amount it dumps. They know it's less and dislike it. They also have unlimited access to oyster shell.

At 4.5 years it has nothing to do with weight it’s their age. Any ducks I have had once they hit the 4+ age mark slow down significantly. Also if you think they are obese you need to weigh your ducks. I have seen way too many people think their ducks look overweight and once they are weighed find out their ducks are normal if not underweight. Even several people on her thought their duck was severely obese only to have a vet weigh them and be told that they are underweight. You can’t go by visual assessments especially with breeds like Swedish or Pekin they are simply not accurate. Also while the keel bone assessment can be helpful it is not completely accurate by any means either. Weighing is the only way to be accurate.

 

[Portlandistan]

At 4.5 years it has nothing to do with weight it’s their age. Any ducks I have had once they hit the 4+ age mark slow down significantly. Also if you think they are obese you need to weigh your ducks. I have seen way too many people think their ducks look overweight and once they are weighed find out their ducks are normal if not underweight. Even several people on her thought their duck was severely obese only to have a vet weigh them and be told that they are underweight. You can’t go by visual assessments especially with breeds like Swedish or Pekin they are simply not accurate. Also while the keel bone assessment can be helpful it is not completely accurate by any means either. Weighing is the only way to be accurate.

Is there a chart someplace with weights per breed? I have 2 runners, 1 rouen, 1 pekin, 1 Swedish, 1 Buff Orpington.

So maybe it's getting time to eat them and get new reliable layers?

If their butt is literally dragging on the ground, that's obese I would think.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Is there a chart someplace with weights per breed? I have 2 runners, 1 rouen, 1 pekin, 1 Swedish, 1 Buff Orpington.

So maybe it's getting time to eat them and get new reliable layers?

If their butt is literally dragging on the ground, that's obese I would think.

Their butt dragging is actually their laying pouch not obesity and is supposed to be there. In heavier breeds especially this is much more noticeable. I will see if I can find a weight chart for you.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I can’t find a chart, but I just wrote the weights below that I compared from a couple different hatcheries.
Runners: 3-4lbs
Rouens: 5-7.5lbs
Pekins: 8-12.5 lbs (up to 14lbs if jumbo)
Swedish: 6.5-8lbs
Buff: 5-6.5lbs

I also wanted to add another problem with the keel bone test is that breeds bred for meat will always have a much meatier chest compared to say a runner duck or a mallard.

 

[Portlandistan]

Thanks! I'll get more data. I dislike lowering their feed with winter coming.