A Pekin in the yard: bright, busy, and waterproof
A healthy Pekin duck moves around the yard with her flock, dabbling, grazing short grass, and heading for water with obvious enthusiasm. Her large white body should look clean rather than stained and matted, her eyes should be clear without bubbles or crusting, and her orange bill should show nostrils that are open and dry. After a swim, a well Pekin's feathers bead and shed water so she comes out looking fluffy again once she preens and shakes. Feathers that stay soaked and clinging to the body are a meaningful clue, because waterproofing depends on both feather condition and regular preening.
Bill, eyes, and breathing up close
When she pauses near feed, study her head. The bill should be smooth and evenly colored, without deep cracks, soft spots, or growths, and she should close it fully. Look for discharge running from the nostrils or eyes, sneezing repeated through the day, or open-bill breathing while she is resting in the shade, since ducks normally breathe quietly with the bill closed at rest. Her voice matters too: a Pekin hen's quack should sound strong and clear, and a duck who goes unusually quiet while also eating less has given you two signs that belong together in your notes.
The heavy duck's feet deserve a hands-on look
Pekins carry a lot of weight on wide webbed feet, so catch her gently and turn a foot over. The sole should be flat and smooth, without a dark scab, swelling, heat, or a wound between the toes, and the webs should be intact rather than torn. Set her down and watch her walk on grass and on a firm path: the normal Pekin waddle rolls side to side, but she should bear weight on both feet, keep up with the flock, and get up promptly after resting. A duck who sits while others forage, limps, or holds one foot up needs those feet examined again that day.
Eating, droppings, and laying condition
A healthy Pekin eats with appetite at feed and forages between meals rather than picking and wandering away. Droppings in ducks vary with water intake and greens, but watch for a duck who passes only water for hours, stops producing droppings, or has blood in what she passes. Feel her body under the feathers along the keel: there should be muscle and a moderate covering, not a sharp breastbone on a duck who still waddles to the feeder, and not so much weight that her legs struggle. A laying Pekin should produce eggs with firm, clean shells and settle back to normal behavior after laying.
Pekin problems that need a vet or experienced help fast
Seek veterinary help promptly for a Pekin who cannot walk, has a hot swollen foot, breathes with her bill open at rest, stops eating, or becomes weak and unresponsive to the flock. Egg-laying trouble, such as repeated straining, a swollen rear, or a hen who was laying and suddenly looks hunched and quiet, also needs urgent attention rather than extra swimming time. Because ducks mask weakness while flock mates are active, judge her against the group at feeding time, when differences show most clearly. Writing swim, foot, and laying observations into KinsLe's Pet Passport means you can point to the day her waterproofing or gait first changed.