Da' Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread!

[Amykins]

Hey guys, Bean has been spending a lot of time lying down right next to the water bowl today. All she's done is sit on her butt, rest her bill on the lip of the cup, chirp, and preen. Should I be concerned? Is this pre-laying behavior or is she sick?

(Yes I know I've helped nurse seals, seagulls and possums alike from the brink but all my training goes to poop when it comes to my own babies! Please help me!)

 

[JLynnsDuckies]

Oh, I do wish I could help Amykins... I didn't notice that with Hazel, not to scare you... Poor Bean. I hope calls in that sense are different in their laying behaviors than pekins. I wonder what's going on with her?

 

[JLynnsDuckies]

LOL. I love it. You'll have to get them some teeny fish and watch them go crazy.

I'm thinking we are going to have a pre-winter party. Pools filled with fishies before we have to put them away.

 

[JLynnsDuckies]

EEEE lookit dem chubby cheeks diving for noms! 

 

[Amykins]

Also, her breath smells a bit like soy sauce. Is this sour crop? Hers doesn't feel hard in any way and now she's chirping with Wobs

 

[JadeComputerGal]

Hey guys, Bean has been spending a lot of time lying down right next to the water bowl today. All she's done is sit on her butt, rest her bill on the lip of the cup, chirp, and preen. Should I be concerned? Is this pre-laying behavior or is she sick?

(Yes I know I've helped nurse seals, seagulls and possums alike from the brink but all my training goes to poop when it comes to my own babies! Please help me!)

No, Amy, it's not normal. Laying is a normal thing for ducks. They don't act ill or out of sorts because of it.

I wouldn't say this right off to most people on here, but you have the luxury of having worked for an avian vet. Because of that, I'd get her into the vet tomorrow rather than having people on BYC speculate about what might be wrong. I'd also give her some vitamin/electrolyte water by syringe in the meantime if you don't see her drinking.

 

[Amykins]

No, Amy, it's not normal. Laying is a normal thing for ducks. They don't act ill or out of sorts because of it.

I wouldn't say this right off to most people on here, but you have the luxury of having worked for an avian vet. Because of that, I'd get her into the vet tomorrow rather than having people on BYC speculate about what might be wrong. I'd also give her some vitamin/electrolyte water by syringe in the meantime if you don't see her drinking.

Oh, she's drinking tons of water, which is part of my concern. Her bill and feet don't feel hot, but it's that odd smell and unusual sitting position that's pushing me into red alert. I'll call them right now and try to get her in tomorrow. I just know that with Wobbles I flipped out for every little thing, even normal behaviors, and I've never had a female before so I'm completely clueless. Even my vet said I had to stop being such an overprotective mama! But dangit, that pit in my stomach says otherwise. I already almost lost her once, I will NOT risk it again.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

Also, her breath smells a bit like soy sauce. Is this sour crop? Hers doesn't feel hard in any way and now she's chirping with Wobs

If it's a crop issue, you might see something with that through swelling, though it can be hard to detect if it's not very swollen or impacted. There are things that vets might advise you to do about that, but I can't advise you to do those. If it's not a digestible material and it's forced beyond the crop and into the gizzard, you could be looking at a more serious problem than leaving it in the crop until a vet can check her.

I'm not trying to alarm you. Ducks have bad days just like any other animals. I just think your best option is to get her to the vet since you have one so readily available.

 

[Amykins]

If it's a crop issue, you might see something with that through swelling, though it can be hard to detect if it's not very swollen or impacted. There are things that vets might advise you to do about that, but I can't advise you to do those. If it's not a digestible material and it's forced beyond the crop and into the gizzard, you could be looking at a more serious problem than leaving it in the crop until a vet can check her.

I'm not trying to alarm you. Ducks have bad days just like any other animals. I just think your best option is to get her to the vet since you have one so readily available.

Yeah, I know...it's just that they're expensive and we literally just took 'em in this morning to trim their nails. As I said her crop doesn't feel impacted or bloated, and her breath doesn't smell unpleasant, just...soy sauce-ish. In fact it actually smells kind of tasty, but yeah, that ain't normal for a duck! (the breath, not being tasty. ILoveYouPleasedontKillMe)

 

[Amykins]

Also she's not floofed out or anything, either. Gah, why do you always fall to pieces and second-guess yourself when it's your own??