Sick duck? "Raspy" voice & puffed feathers

[hlwoods]

I have a 7 mo. old Buff Orpington duck (hen), Penny, that has developed a "raspy/hoarse" voice/quack lately. Her neck is also withdrawn (not sure how else to describe it), basically close to her body and her feathers are puffed up. She's acting normal other than this. She is laying regularly, eating and drinking normally, she's up and about walking and running around, swimming, and preening. At first, I thought she might have gape worm, but she hasn't lost weight and she seems to be breathing normally, and not coughing. Her feathers are perfect and shiny, just puffed up sometimes. I thought about taking her to the vet, but I just took two of my pekin females for bumble foot and it was NOT cheap! I wanted to get some ideas or advice before taking her to the vet to get checked out. I'll include photos to show her neck and puffed feathers.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If she's eating, drinking and laying, I might think she's starting to go broody. Generally a sick bird will stop laying, than stop eating, and than stop drinking.

 

[hlwoods]

If she's eating, drinking and laying, I might think she's starting to go broody. Generally a sick bird will stop laying, than stop eating, and than stop drinking.

I've been collecting the eggs every morning, but I do have 4 ceramic eggs in the nest box to encourage the ducks to lay in the nest box instead of on the floor. I generally only see her in the nest box in the morning. Do you think she would "go broody" if there are no real eggs to sit on?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@chickens really

Ducks will go broody without eggs. I'm not as familiar with mallard based ducks, but my muscovy need no eggs to go broody. They generally lay a clutch worth than go broody. I generally remove the eggs as they lay them. They will start walking around puffed up a week or so before they start to actually set, usually on nothing.

 

[chickens really]

Hello...Yes it sounds to be Broodiness..
My little Penelope is Broody too.Take out the fake eggs. To me that is just not needed ever!
Keep her moving around..
Best wishes

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Hi
I Think This Might Be A Wildlife Injury. I have had my Buffs and one of my Swedish attacked by a Bobcat. When attacked by a Bobcat or Raccoon, they are often bitten in the neck and attacked from behind. This results in them holding their heads pulled down into their shouilders. From the Pics you sent they are outside during the day. If this is the case just wait 7-10 days and all should be Back to normal. DON'T go after a Bobcat barehanded. From experience, this is a bad idea.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Hi
I Think This Might Be A Wildlife Injury. I have had my Buffs and one of my Swedish attacked by a Bobcat. When attacked by a Bobcat or Raccoon, they are often bitten in the neck and attacked from behind. This results in them holding their heads pulled down into their shouilders. From the Pics you sent they are outside during the day. If this is the case just wait 7-10 days and all should be Back to normal. DON'T go after a Bobcat barehanded. From experience, this is a bad idea.

I'm more inclined to agree with the 'she's broody' posters..

Out of curiosity, what were you doing going after a bobcat barehanded? Sounds like a story...

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Well it had my Buff by the neck and obviously I was not thinking, just angry. So I ran screaming at it in the yard. Luckily it let go and ran away as I was inches from grabbing it. Next time I hope I am smart enough to allow it duck lunch. Stella fully recovered but held her head in her shoulders for a week.