Is it normal for Duckling to Keep it's Mouth Open?

[1234duck]

I was concerned that some thing might be wrong when my 3 week old duckling was sitting/laying nicely in her cage with her mouth part way open.

I first thought maybe she was hot. She had just been outside for a little while, in the part shade & part sun with fresh cool drinking water & food. When I put her down in the house to play, in her cage & even before she was in her cage I noticed her mouth part way open. It wasn't like Real hot in the house at this time cuz the weather had started to cool down a little. ~Just before that I had seen one of the chickens doing the same thing.

Thanks, ~Julie~

 

[duckyfromoz]

Just like a dog- ducks will also pant to try to cool down. Other than that- it maybe a clogged nostril in some cases as well.

 

[1234duck]

Do you think the waterer is deep enough? It's the big red/white 1 gallon water holder. This was yesterday with mouth open, & today I haven't seen her doing that. Must have been panting. Thanks, ~Julie~

 

[HottentotTeal]

I noticed mine open theirs a few times after they get out of the pond and start preening.

 

[Kerath]

My guys did a lot of open mouth breathing when we had a rash of gapeworms last year. This was accompanied by a lot of neck stretching and coughing though. Also, 3 weeks seems a little young for worms to have taken hold.

 

[MissusDee]

Do you keep them in the house with the heat lamp on still? I turn mine off in the house about 2 or 2 1/2 weeks, as it seems warm enough for them. I had one do that too, and stopped when I turned off the lamp. It was a Pekin duckling and it just seemed to get hot very easy.

 

[HottentotTeal]

Quote:
I will keep an eye on them tomorrow when i clean their aviary out.

It looks like maybe they are just breathing, because it's only after they splash around and dive in the freshly refilled pond and are preening afterwards outside on the shore.

After they are done preening, it stops.