Random panting duckling

[Tor7039]

Hi! My Pekins are going to be about 4 weeks old this coming week. We haven’t moved them outside yet because I just don’t feel like temps have been high enough for them to be out there all night. Currently, they are in our walkout basement in an extra large kiddie pool. Our neighbor has a big brooder that is much bigger than the kiddie pool so they will move into there for the next week or two until temps get a little higher. We’re also close to being finished building their run but not quite done yet.

One of my Pekins is a panter. I had to bring Henry, my smallest, to the vet a week ago and took another one with me so Henry had a buddy, and this one panted the whole way. I definitely figured it was due to stress. The panting subsided and all was well. I was cleaning their bedding a few days ago and moved them into a bin temporarily and noticed one panting again. I figured stress was the cause and once again, after the bedding was clean...panting subsided. Yesterday I care downstairs to hang out with them and noticed the panting again. The heat lamp was on very low but I completely turned it off just because it was kind of muggy down here. The panting continued through most of the day on and off and whenever I got close to her (I do think it’s a girl!) there was fast breathing, panting, and continuous honking that went along with the panting.

She’s eating, sleeping, and drinking as normal. We took them all for a swim last night and I really thought that solved the problem until I came down before I went to bed and she was panting again. Same thing with this morning. I just came around the corner and noticed the fast breathing and panting. I walked very slowly over and sat down in a chair and now she’s not panting at all and ate some food and drank some water.

Could her panting be due to nervousness around me? She cleared her nostrils out very well when she was swimming and I don’t see anything in there so I don’t think it’s that. No other signs of respiratory illness. Our basement is about 67 right now and no longer muggy so I don’t think the heat is an issue. Plus it’s only about 70 outside right now. I don’t know if taking them out while I clean their bedding is stressing her out but unfortunately they have to come out when I’m cleaning. any thoughts? Just seems like it’s random panting which confuses me even more!

 

[Isaac 0]

Hi, could you post a video?

We often hear about Pekins specifically breathing heavily, most likely it's just either due to their weight, or there odd temperature requirements since their so heavy.

 

[Tor7039]

Hi, could you post a video?

We often hear about Pekins specifically breathing heavily, most likely it's just either due to their weight, or there odd temperature requirements since their so heavy.

Ah, gotcha! She is one of my biggest so weight would make sense. I will try to catch her doing it again today and post a video. She of course isn’t doing it now when I need to show people haha.

 

[chickens really]

At 4 weeks they should be able to be outside and I think the panting is heat related. You can put them out daily and bring in at night without any heat lamp. They are tough and prefer a cooler area over heat.

 

[Tor7039]

At 4 weeks they should be able to be outside and I think the panting is heat related. You can put them out daily and bring in at night without any heat lamp. They are tough and prefer a cooler area over heat.

Okay, cool! We do plan on bringing them out within the next week or so just trying to make sure everything is sturdy and well protected first. My fiancé built a whole house himself so it’s taken a little bit longer to get everything situated but fingers crossed this week they’ll be able to live outside!

 

[chickens really]

Okay, cool! We do plan on bringing them out within the next week or so just trying to make sure everything is sturdy and well protected first. My fiancé built a whole house himself so it’s taken a little bit longer to get everything situated but fingers crossed this week they’ll be able to live outside!

You can also run a fan blowing next to the indoor Brooder only on low and blowing in part of the Brooder to cool them down. They will move if cooling isn't needed. Will help circulate the air.