My duck is hoarse??

[Angie111]

Hi- can someone please help?! I often get minnows from the creek to feed my male khaki and mallard. After eating a minnow, my mallard has been making strange sounds- almost like a little cough. It started yesterday. Even though both are drakes, they are still pretty verbal with one another-quacking up a storm. The mallard seems ok otherwise, and still quacks. Its just that hoarse sound now and again. Could the minnow have been too big for him and damaged his throat?! Or perhaps he is sick?!

 

[Amiga]

Could be a few things, @Angie111 , welcome to the forum.

I would put a little apple cider vinegar in their drinking water at night. Just a tablespoon per gallon. Not in a galvanized waterer - I have read there could be metal leaching due to the acidity of the vinegar.

Anyway, I would try that for a few days.

You might also try just a tiny bit of coconut oil to soothe the throat. Dab a little oil on a treat, like a few peas.

How old are your ducks?

 

[Angie111]

Thank you!! I have apple cider vinegar on hand, I will give that a try tonight. My khaki is 15 months old and my mallard is 14 months old. I really hope he will be ok!! Guess I will cool it with the minnows for a while.