Too Much Food?

[CharlieDuck]

I have a Muschovy/Mallard duckling four days old. He's eating a lot pretty much all the time on Chick/Duck Starter Grower. Today he sometimes acts like he's trying to throw up? But then he goes back to eating and acting like normal. This morning was the worst with several episodes and this afternoon I've seen one happen with less effects. Is he eating too much? I have loads of clean water and he goes back and forth to feed from grain to water. Can anybody let me know if this is normal or should I get this checked out at the vet. Don't want to lose him. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

 

[arrowti]

Is making hacking sounds while shifting his neck and throat repeatedly, swallowing? If so, he's just got food caught in his throat. Our ducks did the same. They sometimes wanted to swallow their food without water and then it got stuck in their throat and they walked around for 10 minutes just hacking before they finally smartened up and drank some water.

If the duck's mouth is open and is breathing hard, it is panting because it is warm (looks alarming the first time you see it).

What kind of food do you have? Mash? Crumble? Pellets? Pellets is best for ducks once they can eat them, because they can swallow it easier. We gave our ducks crumble before and it would get wet and get stuck in their throats and they'd choke on it a little bit. If you can find starter pellets - usually they're made smaller so they can be swallowed by baby birds - they could help if you aren't using it already. If he's eating, drinking, pooping, and acting otherwise normal he should be fine.

 

[CharlieDuck]

Thanks a million for your advice. He seem to be much better today as I pulled the feed bowl and fed by small amounts on the ground. I didn't see him doing the choking movement yet today so I think He was just eating until he popped.

I'll look around for the smaller duck pellets. Thanks again for your help.

 

[arrowti]

If he's eating from the ground then he's getting smaller mouthfuls which should also help him swallow better. Gluttonous duckies - sometimes they just stuff their bill to the peak before trying to swallow! Then they walk around wondering why they're choking. Good thing they're cute!