Duckling acting weird ***EMERGENCY***

[mkhenderson17]

So I finally broke down and bought 6 ducklings from the feed store. Got them home, set up their pen (food, water, and pine chips) and now one duckling is acting wrong. He acts like he is trying to swallow something and has foamy bubbles at the sides of his beak once in a while. He will walk around some but is trying to breath more than anything. Another was doing this for a little but no where as bad as the other and it quit. I tried to open his beak and look down his throat but that stressed him out and I dont want to make it worse. These guys are only 3 days old. Is there anything I can do??

Think he has a wood chip stuck in his throat? Is he just stressed?? Please any info is appreciated!!!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i don't know what is wrong, but would remove the pine chips as a precautionary measure. i kept my ducklings on rubbery shelf liner for a goodly amount of time. i guess i worried that they would try to eat pine shavings. You may want to check it's throat for anything stuck. It sounds like he may have aspirated water or something. Hopefully someone else will have more suggestions for you. Hope the little guy makes it.

 

[mkhenderson17]

I tried to look but I didnt see any shavings stuck, never thought that he may have aspirated...hum...poor kid, I just feel so helpless because I dont want to stress him and make it worse ya know?

 

[mkhenderson17]

1) What type of bird , age and weight.-----Pekin 3days old
2) What is the behavior, exactly.--acting like he is trying to swallow constantly, bobing his head and has some foammy bubbles out his beak. it will walk some but not really going anywhere, will not eat or drink
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? He was fine when I put him in the pen, 30min later I went back and it was acting this way
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?---yes, one other was, then he quit, he will swallow a few times but will still eat and drink.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.---no
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.--i dont know
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.---it was when I put hi in the pen at first but is not now
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.---normal
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?----none
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?--try to make him comfortable, and fix him myself
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.---no sorry

12) Describe the housing/bedding in usePine shavings from TSC-not the fine, just the regular

 

[NanaLantana]

Sounds to me like he's got pneumonia - remove him from the others so they don't get it. When I was a kid my grandmother called it the 'gapes' because the chick kept gaping, bubbles in the mouth - then they died. Always very sad. The medicated starter feed is supposed to preclude this happening. Maybe he got too cold - so sorry he's sick.

 

[mkhenderson17]

Just thought I would update, The ducklings are all doing great. I went back to check on them in the morning and they were all acting just fine. IDK why the one was acting weird but all that matters is hes fine nowe Thanks everyone!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Thank goodness! Very glad to hear it!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[Andora]

Just a note--Do NOT feed ducks medicated starter feed! Medicated chick feed will kill them.

I'm glad your ducky is all better this morning!