I'm stumped, it could be a genetic problem, we had a duckling hatch once that seemed prefect then about 2 weeks of age she started breathing like your duckling, then it progressed till she was hardly walking but she had grown and had feathered in too. Just didn't have much strength, till one day we decided she must have a heart problem and my dh was going to put her down, but she passed away before he had too[thank goodness] now I'm not telling you this because I think your duckling is getting ready to die, but they can be born with problems that are internal, heart, lungs etc that we can't see and decline slowly, just wanting you to be aware if you do see a change for the worse. Give the little one all it needs in TLC and hopefully what ever it is he'll grow out of it. If it's eating and doing all things ducky then I'd say he has a fighting chance. When he's with you does he seem stressed or does he feel relaxed and calm? the only reason I'm asking is sometime open mouth breathing can be from stress. but if he's use to you handling him then thats probably not it. Please give updates like you are. Thanks. okay looked at the video for the 3rd time, the head shaking at the beginning was minor but does it do this often? when it eats is it drinking water too? the reason is they can get feed stuck in their throats. I have seen mine eat their crumbles and cough because they have gotten it down into their throats then they'll shake their heads, run for water and then be okay.
