Coughing and Wheezing duckling.

[Kahn]

I know this is a common problem it seems in young ducks.

But I recently got given 2 ducks, that I believe are about 2-3 weeks old and thus they still live in doors. But one of them spends alot of time breathing heavily, wheezing, coughing and sneezing. She is however still eating and drinking normally and the other one is absolutely fine.

I am an absolute novice at this duck thing, I had no idea I was getting ducks until they were dropped at my door as a surprise birthday present! I've read around a bit today and everything seems to point to the fact that because she is so young it could end up quite bad and even fatal...Because of this I'm taking her to the vet, which unfortunatly isn't open until Monday so I was just wondering if there was anything I could do in the mean time?

Side Note:
While I'm asking questions...Can anyone suggest any ways to make the ducks more comfortable with me? I'm not looking for a duck that will sit on my lap for hours, I'm just after a duck that is comfortable around me and doesn't mind being handled should the need arrise.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know this is a common problem it seems in young ducks.

But I recently got given 2 ducks, that I believe are about 2-3 weeks old and thus they still live in doors. But one of them spends alot of time breathing heavily, wheezing, coughing and sneezing. She is however still eating and drinking normally and the other one is absolutely fine.

I am an absolute novice at this duck thing, I had no idea I was getting ducks until they were dropped at my door as a surprise birthday present! I've read around a bit today and everything seems to point to the fact that because she is so young it could end up quite bad and even fatal...Because of this I'm taking her to the vet, which unfortunatly isn't open until Monday so I was just wondering if there was anything I could do in the mean time?

Side Note:
While I'm asking questions...Can anyone suggest any ways to make the ducks more comfortable with me? I'm not looking for a duck that will sit on my lap for hours, I'm just after a duck that is comfortable around me and doesn't mind being handled should the need arrise.

First

and Congrats on the Birthday present. can you tell us a little about your set up you have for them? can they duck their heads into water deep enough to wash out their eyes and nares? very important with waterfowl. what type of bedding are you using is it dusty? Do you know what breed of ducklings you have? At even 2-3 weeks old they can have bath time just enough water so they can swim but not without supervision and water should be warm. this gives them a chance to wash all dusty fuzz off that maybe bothering them. they create alot of dander, and also when they eat they need water to wash their food down she maybe getting it clogged in her throat. You can take a butter dish with lid and cut a hole in the top of the lid just large enough that they can stick their heads into to wash but not climb into, place a heavy rock in the bottom to keep them from turning it over. After bath time dry them off and put them where they won't be in a draft, under a heat lamp but ducklings don't need it as warm as chicks at 2-3 weeks they could probably go with 80* and be happy. Your house may even be that warm, It's been pretty hot lately. as far as getting comfortable you just have to be patient, lots of quality time spent just sitting with them talking quietly or even singing to them will help alot and they will get use to you, try to imagine what they must see when we come into the room where they are, very big and tall and stand over them, next thing they are being scooped up to go where? into a mouth? they are the prey and need to learn to trust. so try to get on their level some, it really does help. It all takes time too. I hope your duckling gets over what ever is bothering it, but if a Vet visit is good for you then by all means please post back results.

 

[Kahn]

Thank you for the welcome and the birthday wishes! These ducks are a product of answer the question of what I want with "I dunno really, whatever you think of!" they thought of ducks lol!

They are currently on the same straw we use for the rabbits...This is far less dusty than the stuff they came with, I changed it because even I was struggling with the straw they came with! They have a tub we use for piglets full of water...So this could perhaps be to much water as they quite often jump in it and make a mess! As I was told they needed water I just assumed they needed enough to swim in.

I'll be honest and say I havn't dried them off after they've been jumping around in it as it never crossed my mind to dry a duck.
I believe one is a Khaki Campbell and the other is an Abercot? That could be completely wrong and made up but thats what I was told.

I've sat on the floor with them a few times now since they've been here and they quite often just sit in the corner watching me and after awhile they slowly start to venture out and explore. I thought perhaps she could have picked something up off the floor when they were out with me. They were on tiles but they do get quite dusty at times.

As we speak she is prancing around happily and you wouldn't even think anything was wrong with her!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you for the welcome and the birthday wishes! These ducks are a product of answer the question of what I want with "I dunno really, whatever you think of!" they thought of ducks lol!

They are currently on the same straw we use for the rabbits...This is far less dusty than the stuff they came with, I changed it because even I was struggling with the straw they came with! They have a tub we use for piglets full of water...So this could perhaps be to much water as they quite often jump in it and make a mess! As I was told they needed water I just assumed they needed enough to swim in.

I'll be honest and say I havn't dried them off after they've been jumping around in it as it never crossed my mind to dry a duck.
I believe one is a Khaki Campbell and the other is an Abercot? That could be completely wrong and made up but thats what I was told.

I've sat on the floor with them a few times now since they've been here and they quite often just sit in the corner watching me and after awhile they slowly start to venture out and explore. I thought perhaps she could have picked something up off the floor when they were out with me. They were on tiles but they do get quite dusty at times.

As we speak she is prancing around happily and you wouldn't even think anything was wrong with her!

The reason I mentioned about swimming unsupervised is ducklings don't automatically come with water proofing, so until they start to get their new feather and start to preen and get the oil gland working they can get saturated and drown. So be with them always when letting them swim. And Mess is ducks middle name. LOL You sound like you have all bases covered other than swimming so maybe adding some poultry vitamins to their drinking water to help stimulate immune system also you don't say what your feeding them if it's poultry feed[chick starter] you need to supplement with niacin or Brewers yeast to help with leg problems. Poultry feed doesn't have enough niacin that ducklings need. Your going to have to post pics, we don't get to see Abercot rangers near enough although we love pics of any kind. If she is acting normal then I wouldn't be too concerned if you notice any change at all then you'll need to act fast. Make sure their bedding stays as fresh as possible since brooder pneumonia can cause symptoms your talking about too. but it is respiratory. Please let us know how she is doing daily and maybe she'll just grow out of it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here is info on Niacin.. http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html

 

[Kahn]

Excellent!
Thanks for the help everyone!

As for the food their on, I honestly couldn't tell you...It came in an unmarked bag. But to describe it, it's very much like chick crumb. I've changed their water to an ice cream tub full of water with a hole big enough to fit just their heads in. It was funny watching them explore it and get confused by the hollow noise the lid made when they pecked it.

Although she still pants and coughs every now and then she seems to have perked up alot and is eating like a little machine.

Wow I didn't realise the Abercot was such a rarity

When they got here someone said "you should name them after some famous sisters...From Mythology or something like that." so I named them Patty and Selma after the sisters from the Simpsons! I'll be sure to get some pictures tomorrow!

 

[Kahn]

So I did the bath time thing today...And discovered a new problem I have!

The drying part of it...What is the best technique for drying a pair of ducks that are still very much petrified of you? After about 40 minutes of trying to scoop them and then towel dry them it was a resounding failiure ending up with them being very stressed and me being very wet...My end result was to do the best I could then put a warm dry towel in their bed and let them do the rest themselve. But even I can tell this wont do as they dont dry themselves they just lie on the towel.

 

[Amiga]

If their area is warm enough to avoid getting chilled, just give them some space.

Do you give them treats in the tub or right afterward?

 

[Kahn]

Hmm treats...Good plan...Thanks again

 

[jaredaus]

I have two ducks about a month and a half old they are both mallards and one seems to be wheezing pretty badly I just noticed it today and I am very worried. She seems fine in all other ways like eating,drinking,playing,and swimming but when i put my ear to her belly it sounds like there's liquid in her lungs, and just her breathing one can hear her wheezing. Her brother seems fine he has no signs of any problems but i will for sure keep my eye out for any problems that might show up in him. This is my first time owning ducks and I am not sure what to do. I am not a huge fan of vets and would like more of a home remedy if i could. Going to the vet will be a definite if it progresses.