On chicks, I can tell by feeling their crop: it's right at the base of the neck in front, very easy to find. If it contains food, I know the bird did eat, even if I was not watching at the time.
Yes it sounded like clicking. That's what I was afraid of. She is breathing much better this morning, thank you! However I am still very concerned about her. She is still not eating much at all, and just sways like she's unbalanced or lays down. I've found she only really eats egg from my hand, and when she does its not much. I've tried mixing crumbles in the egg with or without water....nothing works. I think she might have swallowed like one crumble maybe. I know all ducks with fling food out of their mouths, but i feel like this duckling does it more so. With a lot of her food she will grab it up, and then fling it all back out or just drop it like she's spitting it out. She goes in spurts from REALLY trying to eat and gobble it up to just sitting down and letting big sister have it all. I've tried keeping her big sister nutmeg away, but it doesn't help. Oh and part of the reason I say "big sister" is that Nutmeg seems to have grown a bit while Sage still looks tiny. I go out every few hours to try and get some food in her, but I feel like that's not enough. She's not eating the duck food, only eggs.....which I mean I know eggs are healthy but she NEEDS to eat her actual duck food....this may be a bad idea...but should I try giving her cat food or something? I'm at a loss.... I really want to help this duckling, but have no idea what to do!
