Sick Duck

[alandra_lee]

We have a small backyard flock of 6 ducks that are basically family pets. They have a nice night house with duck run (completely predator proof). During the day we keep them in the fenced in backyard. They have a variety of water sources, included a wading pool we dump and refill every few days for them to swim in. Today when my husband let the ducks out, all the ducks ran out and looked fine. When I went to work an hour later, I found our runner duck lying on the ground and gasping for air. I brought her inside, but she passed away within 15 minutes.

It's been horrendously hot here, but much of our yard is shaded, plus the ducks have the pool. The runner duck appeared completely healthy otherwise - uninjured, well fed, clear eyes.

Any idea what happened?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

It could be anything really.

Food stuck in its throat

Predator attack

Heat stroke

So very sorry for your loss.

 

[Amiga]

Sad to read of your loss.

Our state university does necropsies on poultry to be sure what they died of. Perhaps you can have that done, so you will know.

 

[PeanutnCashew]

I would suspect something in airway, just guessing though