A bit of an emergency ...

[GrannySue]

One of my 2 week old ducklings had an accident last night. I don't know if the dog bit it through the cage bars or if there's something sharp on the edge of the cage (I can't find anything) but I noticed that the tip of its bill had blood on it.
Further inspection revealed that there's actually some of the upper bill missing! I ran the bill under cold water. Blood everywhere, being an injury to the mouth I guess. It looked like the tongue had been affected as well.
This morning the ducky seems just fine. Except, of course, the tip of the bill is dirty. I washed it off again, tongue looks absolutely normal.
I [could/i] panic and call the vet. Or I could remind myself that they snip upper beaks of chickens that are going to be raised to point of lay in the big horrible farms.

What say you all?

 

[DuckFanatic]

I am by no means an expert but if I were in that situation, I would give it some antibiotics prescribed by a vet and maybe wrap with gauze (etc.) to keep dirt out... Good luck and I hope someone more experienced can help you!

 

[chickensioux]

So sorry this happened to the little ducky. I would clean the wound really well with an iodine/water solution and put neosporin on it (use only non-pain relieving neosporin). You will not be able to wrap it as they are always dabbling in their water. You may have to clean it several times a day until it heals some. Make sure you keep it's water as clean as possible. I would just keep an eye on it and if you think you would like to put it on antibiotics, you should be able to find a broad spectrum antibiotic at your feed store in a powder form to put in its water. I think it will do just fine with that little piece that is missing.
Good luck

 

[GrannySue]

An update on the little duck.

He/she seems fine! Perky, eating, drinking and of course pooping away with the other 2. It appears that the tongue wasn't affected after all, looked clean the next morning. So I just let nature take its course.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I think it will be fine. It still has enough of the top beak to be able to eat and drink normally. Good Luck.

 

[streemers]

you think a coon could have bit it? a coon got to my friends ducks and took the heads but left the rest of her birds

 

[GrannySue]

I think I probably would have noticed a raccoon in my house!
Heh. The ducklings were only 2 weeks old at the time, first hatch for me so I'm spoiling them rotten. Seriously though, they still need to be inside at least at night.