I would not be too concerned so long and they are not acting strange in any other way...how do you tell if a Cayuga is acting strange? Your guess is a good as mine, but if they are eating and pooping and waddling around they are usually fine. The following paragraph is from WF360 which is actually a duck hunting site but it also has some good duck information:
"[COLOR=1B1B1B]Like nearly all animals, waterfowl have a tongue, which is used to move food through the oral cavity into the esophagus. Because waterfowl often feed in areas where they are threatened by predators, it's often advantageous for the birds to "eat and run." Consequently, waterfowl have extra storage capacity in their esophagus, which enables the birds to carry considerably more food from foraging areas than they could otherwise eat. Unlike doves and pigeons, however, waterfowl do not possess a true "crop," or widened portion of the esophagus. Instead, their esophagus is capable of expanding to accommodate substantial amounts of food. [/COLOR]"
I have 20 ducks total. 16 of them are a Cayuga breeding flock. They tend to gobble more food during the cold weather so as to have it "stored" for later. When they do that their "chest" will puff up quite large and look as if they have a swollen neck/chest. When they digest their stored food the swelling goes away. I would not refer to it as sagging but it does make a noticeable difference that can catch you off guard. So don't worry too much at this point.
I noticed in your other posting that your vet was coming out to check your cow/calf. Did they have a chance to check your ducks as well? What did they say?
Also, note that ducks are as hardy if not more hardy than chickens. They do find in cold weather so long as they have shelter from wind that they can retreat to. Unless it gets, and stays, well below 20 degrees you really do not need the heat lamp. Having it, just like chickens, impedes the ducks natural ability/instinct to regulate their own body temps. All my ducks have secure overnight shelter with thick bedding but no heat lamp. The temps here have been very cold for a week or two, we even had some snow for the first time in history at this time of year, and the ducks were totally unfazed. So, slowly reduce the exposure to the heat lamp over a period of several days to a week and let them be more natural in their environment.
It is nice to see your level of concern. Many people see ducks as just a messy bird but once you get to know them and see their personalities you know how wrong that is.
Keep us posted as to their condition and post pictures when you can.
Vet is coming at 2, will let everyone know what she says if I have her take a look, the storing food thing must be true because there is no swelling this morning and everyone was flying around like basket cases when I filled water. Thank you so much for replying!
