Help me figure out what is wrong with my duckling? New duck owners!

[Lykus]

Hello!

Recently we just got some new baby chicks and ducklings. We've had experience raising chickens before, but this is our first time owning ducks. (Any advice would be great by the way!)

However, my parents and I recently noticed that one of our ducklings, the bigger of the two, is having some troubles. He is breathing really fast, and panting with his beak open. This is only when he is laying down next to the other duck - they sit right next to each other and under the heat lamp. (125 watt). This is where we're confused - the heat lamp doesn't cover the whole box, so if he was hot, wouldn't he move away from the other and into the cooler area? Or is it not even a case of him being hot?

Once he gets up, he acts perfectly normal. He has been drinking and eating and walking around. Why is he acting this way when he lays down? Are we doing something wrong here? Please help asap! I will provide more information and video if necessary.

Thank you!

 

[Lykus]

Here is a video of what he is doing. My mom seems to think he is shivering but my dad and I don't think that is the case. It could also be that he is having trouble breathing? Please help, we have no idea!

 

[Lykus]

 

[Lykus]

I have a video on the way, hopefully it will be posted soon!

 

[seashoreduck]

He could be panting....try dipping his nose in water and making sure he can clean his nares. Also hold him...if he's overheated (which looks more realistic) he'll be fine, if not you'll feel the shivers.

 

[Kaessa]

What's the temperature under the light? How old are they? It should start at 90 and be lowered by 5 degrees a week until they're at ambient temps... but some ducks like it cooler than others.

Also, you'd be surprised at how warm the air is even when you're not directly under the light. He definitely looks like he's panting to me.

 

[Orca5094]

Yep, looks like he's too hot and panting to me as well. Do you have a thermometer in there so you can tell how hot it is? Sometimes the whole brooder can hold in the heat and it can get too warm even if they move away from the lamp. I don't trust ducklings to necessarily move away from the lamp if they are hot, so I monitor the temp and their behavior closely. Some ducklings just need less heat than others. My Cayugas last year didn't need extra heat after their first week. They would pant if I had the lamp on, even when I moved it really high up over their brooder, so I took the lamp away. You'll just have to play it by ear with these guys. Are his legs and bill hot/warm to the touch when he's panting? That would definitely mean he is over-heating.

 

[mermie]

I couldn't watch the video on my work comp but if she does look like shes panting but you don't think its that there is too much heat... try giving her grit. My girl was panting even though I moved the heat lamp, removed her from the brooder, tried everything that has to do with temp... I gave her some grit and she must have had something stuck the wrong way cuz after that she was fine. No more panting an she's back in the brooder with her little friend (4 wks old)