Ducks panting but seem ok

[BigLar368]

We have four 3 week old Welsh Harlequin ducks along with 16 chickens. They have been let loose in the run for about the last 10 days. 80% of the run is covered and shaded along with the underside of the coop. We keep a tub of fresh water (they bath in) and a commonly used watering bowl for chickens. They all also have access to 6 chicken nipples which the ducks uses pretty often. They all seem to be getting along well. Just noticed today the ducks panting some. All the water is fresh and in the shade. They are all eating (ducks) and drinking regularly. We also have a larger 50 gallon stock pond we put them in once a day and they clean themselves extensively. You can see them blowing bubbles from their nostrils when they dive under water. It's been low to mid 90's last couple of days with humidity in the 90's and high 70's at night. Nothing seems out of place except they pant sometimes. Just curious if I should worry. Thanks.

 

[nao57]

Do they act weak or lethargic also?

Or just panting?

I can tell you that you could try watching them between 1 PM and 4 PM the most; that's when the worst of the heat is.

I'd compare watching them a bit then, and when its cooler. That may help with some discernment also.

And for more trouble shooting, you could try to make sure to feed them separate from the rest of the flock. With mine, I sometimes have to worry about if the smallest in the clock can get enough, food, since if they are among the rest of the feeding frenzy, they can get pushed away a bit, and come with less. (And that could be mixing with the heat issue.)

 

[BigLar368]

We do have a runt with a bad leg but we make sure she eats. They all eat a ton....lol. outside now and none are panting. None act weak at all. The runt just has a gimp leg. It's very slight limp when she walks. Her feet are clean with no signs of bumble foot.

 

[BigLar368]

Oh and as far as feeding goes the ducks are the bullies....lol. they are almost 3X bigger than the chicks.

 

[nao57]

So did your problem resolve itself with the panting duckling?

Or is it still going on?

 

[BigLar368]

Oh and as far as feeding goes the ducks are the bullies....lol. they are almost 3X bigger than the chicks.

No....they are still panting but it's been really hot with the heat index up around 109. They seem healthy and we let them swim in their pond couple times a day. They are eating and running around like crazy them they sleep awhile. So far so good.

 

[416bigbore]

If it's that hot out where you are at, might want to put some electrolytes in their drinking water to help them with the heat.

 

[nao57]

Its good that things are working out.

Can you post a pic?

Heat index 109 is no joke. That's rough.

 

[BigLar368]

Its good that things are working out.

Can you post a pic?

Heat index 109 is no joke. That's rough.

Just a pic of the ducks?

 

[BigLar368]

Yesterday