Female duck opening and closing her beak repeatedly

[dballard76]

I have a male and female cayuga/pekin mix. Lately my female Lucy is always opening and closing her beak. Is this normal or should I be concerned about something being stuck in her throat? Other than the opening and closing she seems to be acting normal. She's eating and drinking just fine. She's not overly fond of people so i can't really get close to her without totally freaking her out so before i traumatized her with chasing her down and grabbing her, i want to see if it was a normal behavior. She is a year old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a male and female cayuga/pekin mix. Lately my female Lucy is always opening and closing her beak. Is this normal or should I be concerned about something being stuck in her throat? Other than the opening and closing she seems to be acting normal. She's eating and drinking just fine. She's not overly fond of people so i can't really get close to her without totally freaking her out so before i traumatized her with chasing her down and grabbing her, i want to see if it was a normal behavior. She is a year old.

If everything seems normal then maybe it's just something with her, Has it been real hot where you live? just for some extra support put 1-2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar into a 1 gallon bucket of water for her and your flock ACV works to kill off some bacteria and is a great tonic for our flocks and ourselves. if it keeps up after a few days post back or if you notice any other symptoms. But please keep us updated.

Welcome to BYC.

 

[dballard76]

Thanks! I will try that! It has been very hot, in the upper 80s and 90s (that's hot for us in CT lol).

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks! I will try that! It has been very hot, in the upper 80s and 90s (that's hot for us in CT lol).

Do they have swim water? it could just be her way of panting since it's so hot. Lets hope that simple.

 

[dballard76]

They have a tub of water plus a pond across the street they swim in...maybe she's trying pass an egg? Lol. She's been laying them in the yard lately instead of in her nests.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They have a tub of water plus a pond across the street they swim in...maybe she's trying pass an egg? Lol. She's been laying them in the yard lately instead of in her nests.

I'd pick her up and check her bottom[vent] out if she is pulsating then you may be right and you'll need to try and help her by letting her soak privately and what i mean by that is with out any other ducks around to stress her out and in a quiet place like the tub in your bath room nice warm water. unless she has laid it this morning.

 

[dballard76]

Thank you so much she did lay an egg this morning and is not moving her mouth anymore. What a good idea though with the bath, the next time she does it i will make her a nice warm bath!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you so much she did lay an egg this morning and is not moving her mouth anymore. What a good idea though with the bath, the next time she does it i will make her a nice warm bath!

Awesome news! it could have just been a tough egg to lay. was it any bigger than any others she has laid.?

 

[dballard76]

No but this one time she laid a HUGE one lol looked like an ostrich egg. And recently she laid an Itty bitty one like the size of a Robins egg!

 

[Miss Lydia]

No but this one time she laid a HUGE one lol looked like an ostrich egg. And recently she laid an Itty bitty one like the size of a Robins egg!

I've seen both sizes ,but normal sizes and those are the ones I really like to see.