5 weeks old duckling wheezing

[arnaromarsson]

Hey BYC community, I got a 5 weeks old duckling that started wheezing today. It's very subtle, and doesn't seem to affect its breathing. It's just a new sound that I worry about. It doesn't seem to have any other signs of illness. It eats and drinks, doesn't seem low on energy or have diarrhea. There is no discharge from eyes, but it's dry around the nostrils. However as a newly minted duck's dad all I do is worry. Anyone could put my mind at ease?

Some additional info.
*It does have enough water to dip it's head, I saw it clean its nose yesterday in it.
*it goes outside and eats weeds, grass and swims regularly
*It's main feed is the starerfeed made for 0-8 week ducks
*It sleeps inside (following a temperature guide - we sometimes need a heat lamp, but the nights are getting warm enough for us to discard the lamp soon)

I might very well be overthinking this, but you all know this feeling

Best,
Arnar

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Can you post a Pic of the waterer you're using?

 

[arnaromarsson]

Can you post a Pic of the waterer you're using?

Its a ceramic bowl. We change the water a few times a day as it gets pretty messy.

Just after cleaning;

This is when I would change the water;

In addition we have recently started giving it baths in our shower, but we wash it down before so there should not be any soap residue in the water, and I also just started a pond project for it and built a out-door pen it stays in two or three ours at a time when weather is good (in the pen it has access to a flower pot base about 1,5 foot in diameter and 2,5 inches deep).

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I'd get a rubber bowl for them to use. While the ceramic looks OK, the bowl should be a bit deeper. They are old enough to be outside too, but do you have older ducks?

 

[arnaromarsson]

I'd get a rubber bowl for them to use. While the ceramic looks OK, the bowl should be a bit deeper. They are old enough to be outside too, but do you have older ducks?

Thanks, we will update our water bowl!

Sadly it's just this one duckling. We are looking for other ducks to adopt to keep it company.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Oh, I saw the reflection in the mirror, but didn't realize it was a mirror.
Did you have other ducks?

 

[arnaromarsson]

Oh, I saw the reflection in the mirror, but didn't realize it was a mirror.
Did you have other ducks?

No this is our first and only duck :/

 

[Crazy Maizie]

No this is our first and only duck :/

Duck friends will definitely help the little one.

 

[peanutc]

No this is our first and only duck :/

Give her / him lots of outdoor time! This happens with my young duck (5-6 weeks old) when she needs fresh air and water! And fresh peas! Defrosted frozen peas are nice, but so are canned. Also I am sure you know but your duck should have at least one more friend. Ducks do not do well solitary, especially young ones. It is actually illegal in many places to purchase a single duck, most areas have a minimum purchase law. I bought mine at my local Tractor Supply and would totally recommend! It was a short process, just went in and asked a worker to help and he put 2 in a box with some bedding and all we had to do from there was purchase. They had a minimum for ducks = 2 rule.