Duck acting strangely

[4waddles]

I’m a new duck owner. I love them. We have a 17 week old f male Pekin. She’s been acting strange for 4 days. We noticed that she started holding her head down on her chest. She wasn’t eating and it almost seemed that her beak didn’t work. She lost her quack. I found a vet about two hours away that was willing to look at her. She checked her droppings, nothing abnormal. Her temperature was normal. Her body felt normal and vent was clear. She thought her crop might be plugged. She flushed it and suggested we do the same. It’s been a few days. She eats a little now and quacks a little. She still looks like a pelican. Her head tucked on chest as she walks around. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Crop?

 

[bantamluv]

I would guess that there is something lodged in her esophagus or windpipe. This would probably cause her pain which might be why she has her head tucked down..? Her crop might also be impacted. Give her warm yogurt or oatmeal and massage her crop or throat area. Feel for any swelling or impactions. Did the vet give you a clear diagnostic of what she thought it was other than a plugged crop? What did you flush it out with? I really hope your little quacker gets better

 

[4waddles]

The vet flushed it with Gatorade. She said she couldn’t feel any obstruction. We have been gently massaging her. I’ll try the oatmeal. Thanks

 

[CayugaJana]

Normally when my ducks have their necks scrunched in, they are very uncomfortable. It is normally serious. Not to scare you, I’m just sharing my experiences. That’s probably the number 1 indicator for me that something is really not right.

Your vet doesn’t think she has an egg stuck? Is she straining at all? How is her breathing! Can you feel her crop first thing in the morning? It should be completely empty. If it’s not, it’s still clogged.

 

[4waddles]

The vet really isn’t a farm animal vet. There are none here. She’s seen some birds and was willing to try. The duck hasn’t begun paying yet. My husband is good with his hands and he’s felt her all over and can’t feel anything. Her breathing was really odd the first two days and she was quite lethargic. Mostly her breathing is better now but occasionally it’s not. She’s still slow but not as lethargic.

 

[chickens really]

Strange because I must have an entire flock of sick Call Ducks. Mine scrunch up and waddle around all the time..Never a concern here. Normal healthy Ducks..

 

[4waddles]

Hmmmm. I sure hope so. It’s just she never acted this way before.

 

[chickens really]

Is it hot out in your area?...

 

[4waddles]

It has been in the 80’s and 90’s during the day and it falls into the 60’s at night.

 

[chickens really]

It has been in the 80’s and 90’s during the day and it falls into the 60’s at night.

Okay...They are hot and mine do the same. I keep providing cold water and cold Watermelon if it's really hot outside..