ducklings eating mud

[Mini Moe]

My 4 week old Pekins make mud holes next to their watering contraption, continues to add more water until its just a mud mess and eats the mud. Why do they do this and is it bad for them? Also...do they only their mouths and pant like a dog when they are hot? One of our babies, Quaky, tends to do this quite often whether their outside or in the house. ANY thoughts and/or suggetions would be greatly appreciated

Newbie....Sandy Moe from CA (where its spring time and definately not over 70° yet)

 

[chickenlver2013]

It's a duck thing. They're not eating the mud, they're playing. My ducks do that when it rains.

 

[new duck mom]

I have a 4 week old pekin too, I just noticed him having his mouth open a lot and kinda panting, in the house and outside. Glad someone else asked that question. Is that mean he's sick or hot?

 

[iluvsedward]

My ducks did that, I don't think they're really eating the mud, just sifting through it for bugs and worms. Also, I'm pretty sure its not bad for them in any way.

 

[chickenlver2013]

I have a 4 week old pekin too, I just noticed him having his mouth open a lot and kinda panting, in the house and outside. Glad someone else asked that question. Is that mean he's sick or hot?

my ducks do that when I go near them

 

[new duck mom]

It seems like he does that when people are around him too, are Pekins shy and not really cuddly? He will sit by me and climb in my lap but only when he wants to, if I even try to help him in my lap he jumps right back out. My other duck would be held and cuddled all day if you let him.

 

[Going Quackers]

They are looking for bugs, grit etc... totally typical duck behaviour and mud is a glorious place to be for them. Now as for the panting, sounds like their hot, are they under a heat lamp? can they get away from it?

 

[new duck mom]

No I wouldn't call it panting, because when I held him he wasn't breathing real heavy or anything hel just have his mouth open like he's trying to talk, I'm sure I'm not explaining this very well, but my other duck isn't a pekin and he never does it, my kids say he looks like he's talking to himself but no noise comes out. The mud thing is hilarious, they love it, I always put them in the tub at the end of the night in clean water to get all of it off.

 

[Amiga]

Sometimes my ducks do that, it looks like they're trying to make their ears pop (like when you go up or down in an airplane).

I think it has to do with preening, to get something out of their ears. Mine do it more right after a swim. Then they often scratch their ears like dogs do.

 

[desertdarlene]

Pekins are usually very friendly ducks, but many ducks are not the cuddly type. Some like to be stroked or petted, but not hugged. It's partially a personality thing.