My duckling is honking??

[Duckmomica]

I have ducklings that are a little over 2 weeks old and one of them has started honking! I read that they don’t start honking until about 5 weeks in. She chirps with small honks before every chirp. They’ve had congestion problems I’ve been trying to sort out since I got them. I don’t know what it is!
they are a grimaud Pekin hybrid, their brooder has pine shavings, and their food is unmedicated, but it needs a bit more niacin. Advice?

 

[Weeg]

I don't know, @Overo Mare @casportpony @Eggcessive @Isaac 0
Maybe S/he's a goose!

 

[Pullet Press]

Maybe S/he's a goose!

Ooh!

 

[Weeg]

Ooh!

I know, that would make a lot of sence! I hope someone more knowledgeable comes along!

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC.

Could you take a video of the ducklings honking, and upload it to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here?

Are you providing them with nose-deep water in their pen? Lack of a sufficient deep water source with waterfowl can lead to overall congestion problems.

Would you mind sharing the brand of feed? If the feed is labeled unmedicated, I'm assuming it's still chick starter, correct?

Chick starter does not contain the amino acids, and nutrients that ducks need, especially niacin, which Pekins require around of 70mg/kg, chick starters usually only contain around 35mg/kg.

 

[Isaac 0]

I know, that would make a lot of sence! I hope someone more knowledgeable comes along!

Not a gosling.

 

[Pullet Press]

Chick starter does not contain the amino acids, and nutrients that ducks need, especially niacin, which Pekins require around of 70mg/kg, chick starters usually only contain around 35mg/kg.

Me: I wish I had known that earlier!

 

[Weeg]

Not a gosling.

Just thought I'de put @Duckmomica in a good mood! Good luck with your duckling!

 

[Duckmomica]

Welcome to BYC.

Could you take a video of the ducklings honking, and upload it to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here?

Are you providing them with nose-deep water in their pen? Lack of a sufficient deep water source with waterfowl can lead to overall congestion problems.

Would you mind sharing the brand of feed? If the feed is labeled unmedicated, I'm assuming it's still chick starter, correct?

Chick starter does not contain the amino acids, and nutrients that ducks need, especially niacin, which Pekins require around of 70mg/kg, chick starters usually only contain around 35mg/kg.

I can’t record a video unfortunately because my phone is broken. They have nose deep water and their food is chick starter. I just recently bought them a chick starter that has protein in it that I’m going to start using. I do need more niacin though.

 

[Floof]

Take a look in her nostrils and check for gunk or blockages. Ducks should be able to dip their whole head, not just the tip of their bill. If she looks healthy it could just be that she's an early talker. 1 of my females started honking early too and it caught me off guard to hear it. I confirmed it was a vocalization and not illness by lifting her out of the brooder and moving her away from her buddies. She honked more when I moved her away from them and it made it really easy to tell.

Deffinately make sure the water is deep enough for her whole head though.