A while ago, I purchased a young female Indian Runner and at around a year old she developed a prolapse. The whole experience was very distressing and eventually she passed away. I am very anxious to avoid this happening to my other girls and would like any advice you could give me on preventative measures.Bob Jones via email
Q- A while ago, I purchased a young female Indian Runner and at around a year old she developed a prolapse. The whole experience was very distressing and eventually she passed away. I am very anxious to avoid this happening to my other girls and would like any advice you could give me on preventative measures. I have read that layers pellets with a high pea or bean content are thought to cause or contribute to prolapses, so would appreciate any advice with regard to giving my ducks peas. I have an old Indian Runner, a rescue duck, who must be at least seven years old, and she consumes as many peas as she is allowed to have without any ill-effect, but I am, of course, especially concerned about the youngsters.
Bob Jones via emailA- VR writes: As far as I am aware, field beans have a link to prolapse in mammals but not birds. Castor beans, of course, are toxic. Prolapse can happen to any poultry, but tends to be a problem with good layers such as Indian Runner ducks or hybrids. The feed needs to be of high quality and with the mineral balance correct for good muscle tone, 2:1 calcium:phosphorus. Commercial layer pellets should have this included but most people tend to dilute the expensive commercial feed with grain, thus upsetting the mineral balance these good layers need.
