Duckling eating 1/4 to 1/2 inch rocks!

[Urban Waddler]

I have a new duck who is a little over 3 weeks old. I got her as a companion for my other duck who just lost her life partner a couple weeks ago. Their friendship is developing great, but I must say this duck isn’t operating on all cylinders. She has bitten and lacerated my eye, chases my dog, and today I saw her eat two large rocks. After losing my last duck, I’m
Severely traumatized and worried. I have never had to worry about this my other ducks, they simply wouldn’t do that. They eat their grit, and don’t even try to chew on things that size. So far she has no symptoms. This happened about 20 minutes ago. Our vets are not open. I don’t know what to do. I can’t imagine this is good. I just don’t know why this duck would do this. Please help anyone who knows.

 

[Jpat]

bitten and lacerated your eye? hope your okay!

i wouldnt panic yet... ive heard stories of ducks filling up on grit and not leaving room for food and dieing of malnutritien... but thats very rare
Do they get food and water all day?

how big were the rocks compared to a dime?

 

[Muscovy-palooza]

I have a new duck who is a little over 3 weeks old. I got her as a companion for my other duck who just lost her life partner a couple weeks ago. Their friendship is developing great, but I must say this duck isn’t operating on all cylinders. She has bitten and lacerated my eye, chases my dog, and today I saw her eat two large rocks. After losing my last duck, I’m
Severely traumatized and worried. I have never had to worry about this my other ducks, they simply wouldn’t do that. They eat their grit, and don’t even try to chew on things that size. So far she has no symptoms. This happened about 20 minutes ago. Our vets are not open. I don’t know what to do. I can’t imagine this is good. I just don’t know why this duck would do this. Please help anyone who knows.

I am not as experienced as many on this forum but I can share my experience this far. We are in our second year of having Muscovy ducks. I can tell you that every one of ours ducks has its own personality and quirks. Some not so pleasant. 3 weeks old seems awfully young to be so aggressive. I can understand that it may need time to get to know you and your other pets, that is to be expected. But if it were me I MAY consider giving it a little bit longer to adjust to it's new home. I would also be thinking about a plan B because if you only have a couple of ducks certainly you would like for them both to be pleasant. Considering your injury I wouldn't blame you if you implemented plan B immediately. Maybe some of the duck whisperers on her can advise you better. Good Luck and be careful.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

What kind of rocks? What shape had the rocks? Anything pointy or sharp edges?
How old and how large is that duck?
My Ducks gobble down ¼ to ¾ inch pebbles all the time without problems. - So far there were none, i assume those rocks just fall out of the other end of the duck after a while…

 

[Muscovy-palooza]

What kind of rocks? What shape had the rocks? Anything pointy or sharp edges?
How old and how large is that duck?
My Ducks gobble down ¼ to ¾ inch pebbles all the time without problems. - So far there were none, i assume those rocks just fall out of the other end of the duck after a while…

I sure am glad that I know now, that this is a possibility before I get freaked out should mine eat rocks. I had no idea that they would do that!

 

[Urban Waddler]

bitten and lacerated your eye? hope your okay!

i wouldnt panic yet... ive heard stories of ducks filling up on grit and not leaving room for food and dieing of malnutritien... but thats very rare
Do they get food and water all day?

how big were the rocks compared to a dime?

The rocks are about 3/4 centimeter or up to a half inch in diameter. They are rounded river rock. She has a tiny bill and I could see her chomping on it, but couldn’t get it out.

 

[Urban Waddler]

I am not as experienced as many on this forum but I can share my experience this far. We are in our second year of having Muscovy ducks. I can tell you that every one of ours ducks has its own personality and quirks. Some not so pleasant. 3 weeks old seems awfully young to be so aggressive. I can understand that it may need time to get to know you and your other pets, that is to be expected. But if it were me I MAY consider giving it a little bit longer to adjust to it's new home. I would also be thinking about a plan B because if you only have a couple of ducks certainly you would like for them both to be pleasant. Considering your injury I wouldn't blame you if you implemented plan B immediately. Maybe some of the duck whisperers on her can advise you better. Good Luck and be careful.

Honestly, she loves me. She follows me snuggles me, but her behavior is so unpredictable and unlike any duck I’ve known. I’ve hatched my babies in the past, and my current adult duck, Loretta, was so incredibly grief stricken when we lost her sister, that I had to act fast and hope a bond would develop. I really love this little duck, but my girls have never hurt me or tried to bite me aggressively. Loretta likes to nibble on me sometimes but ever so sweetly. I just am so worried, and also so worried that Loretta can’t bare another loss so soon.

 

[Urban Waddler]

I sure am glad that I know now, that this is a possibility before I get freaked out should mine eat rocks. I had no idea that they would do that!

Honestly, my previous ducks wouldn’t do anything like this. They love to taste everything, but they understand the difference between food and rocks, wood, etc. i think this duck might have had a rough couple of days before we got her.

 

[Mad Murduck]

I would think that if the rock could fit down her throat it will make it out the other side. Gizzards are tough , if they can swallow snails and turn them into wet poop then there is no reason to doubt the magic that happens inside of a duck. At the rate they grow she probably more space in there than the trunk of a 74 Cadillac within a week! I hope your little rock tumbler mellows out for you.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

The rocks are about 3/4 centimeter or up to a half inch in diameter. They are rounded river rock. She has a tiny bill and I could see her chomping on it, but couldn’t get it out.

Rounded river rocks will most likely re-appear at the rear end of the duck after a short time. However they won't be as clean as they were on the front end of the duck…
Don't worry! Usually ducks know very well what they can swallow and what not.
(Styro-)Foam is the big exception, all ducks like to eat plastic foamy things, no clue why, and in most cases this will not end good.