Young ducky Open mouth breathing, fast and some sneezing. Is there something I can do to help it before I schedule vet?

[SabrinaEades]

Young ducky Open mouth breathing, fast and some sneezing. Is there something I can do to help it before I schedule vet?

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there, we need more info.
Diet? Brooder? Heat source? Can she clean her nostrils in water

 

[SabrinaEades]

Hi there, we need more info.
Diet? Brooder? Heat source? Can she clean her nostrils in water

Hello! Sorry I am very new to owning ducks. I have a chicken coop outside with three chickens and my duck. The duck is about two months old. The coop has a heat lamp in it with my chickens. It is summer time here in minnesota but still is alittle cool in the night. I always place my chickens up their ramp in their coop where the heat lamp is. The duck cuddles with them. It’s day three for them out there. She has been eating and drinking water. I’m not entirely sure the gender tbh. But she is panting very quickly on and off. When I gave her some water and food inside she didn’t pant but it’s when she’s laying down on me she starts doing it a lot. She feels warm but tbh I don’t know if that’s just because she’s warm and comfy laying on me. I brought her in because it seemed alittle on the cool side tonight. That’s when I heard it, tonight after I’ve been with her for the last few hours one on one. She is also have some little sneezing but I can’t determine if they are just normal. Do ducks sneeze pretty often? I don’t think she has something lodged in her throat because there’s periods where she isn’t doing it. I’m more leaning towards something respiratory but I’m hoping that this can be normal? If not I’ll be taking her to the vet immediately tomorrow

 

[SabrinaEades]

Also, the chickens and ducks are still learning to go up their little ramp so I usually put them up their ramp every night so far to lead them to their warm lamp. This evening I went out there and like I said it was alittle cool out and they were all huddled in a corner NOT up their ramp in their little area where there’s the heat lamp. So I put the chicken up there and then noticed that my duck seemed to be uncomfortable chirping louder and seemed to be trying to get my attention. I’m not sure, I just had a feeling. I’m really attached to the duckling and she seemed like she wanted to come in where it’s a little warmer. She’s going to stay in with me tonight.

 

[SabrinaEades]

Also I was recommended chick feed to give both my chickens and duck.

 

[Lor]

Also I was recommended chick feed to give both my chickens and duck.

Chick feed is fine for a duckling as long as you add some niacin.
Is the water dish deep enough for the duckling to dip it's whole head in to clean it's nares?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@SabrinaEades do you know the temp in your coop where you have the heat lamp? it may be too warm. Ducks after feathered in have a nice coat of down under their feathers and really don't need heat. that could be the cause of the panting.
As was mentioned chick feed is fine as long as the ducking has additional niacin maybe Nutritional yeast the dose is 1 Tab for each cup of feed you feed them and chickens can have it too, This is what I feed my flock. Plus your duckling needs to be able to dunk his head so a bowl with water or some type of handmade container for a waterer. many of us make our own using a plastic container then cutting holes in the top just large enough the ducking can dunk their heads but not climb into .
Sneezing can be from a respiratory issue or it can be from dusty feed or rooting around in dusty bedding any other symptoms like discharge from nares or eyes rattling when breathing?

 

[SabrinaEades]

@SabrinaEades do you know the temp in your coop where you have the heat lamp? it may be too warm. Ducks after feathered in have a nice coat of down under their feathers and really don't need heat. that could be the cause of the panting.
As was mentioned chick feed is fine as long as the ducking has additional niacin maybe Nutritional yeast the dose is 1 Tab for each cup of feed you feed them and chickens can have it too, This is what I feed my flock. Plus your duckling needs to be able to dunk his head so a bowl with water or some type of handmade container for a waterer. many of us make our own using a plastic container then cutting holes in the top just large enough the ducking can dunk their heads but not climb into .
Sneezing can be from a respiratory issue or it can be from dusty feed or rooting around in dusty bedding any other symptoms like discharge from nares or eyes rattling when breathing?

Wow! Thank you so so much! Your tip on putting a hole for his head in a container of water is such a good idea! Because my duck is always trying to get into the water and make a mess . I have alittle pool outside the coop when I let them out with me every day in the backyard for a bit. I havnt gotten a run up yet so I just let them free range for the moment when I’m in my backyard. I do not know the temp where the heat lamp is. My boyfriend who grew up on a farm put it in there and felt the heat and told me it should be good. There’s a whole bottom part of the coop that doesn’t have the heat lamp too. So I’m hoping that leaves room for them to move away from the lamp if it’s too hot for them. My duck was panting last night though and it was cool out. I don’t know if it may have been from heat earlier in the day. But it wasn’t too hot yesterday. I’m going to the store today to get niacin and yeast. I’m also getting a few more things. I looked up online and it said something about Vetrx? Also oregano oil in the water? Thank you so so much! I will give an update!

 

[SabrinaEades]

Chick feed is fine for a duckling as long as you add some niacin.
Is the water dish deep enough for the duckling to dip its whole head in to clean its nares?

It is

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd get a thermometer also so you can check temps in their house. What are your temps at night and during the day?