DuckDuckDown
Hatching
- Aug 3, 2024
- 2
- 1
- 4
Hi
I've got a 4-5 week old Khaki Campbell duckling that has a crusty/scaling beak. It's reduced the size of its nares to be almost pinpricks.
Any idea what it is and how best to help him?
He's eating, drinking and grooming normally, and is not lethargic. He's not isolating (or being isolated by) the rest of the flock. But when holding him and he's under some stress, you can hear his breathing is heavier than normal due to his nares being restricted.
None of the rest of my flock of 12 ducklings from the same hatch have any scaling, damage or other beak abnormalities. This is probably a coincidence, but he's also the only duckling with any beak abnormality - if you look closely at the photo, his lower bill is slightly longer than his upper. The rest have completely normal, healthy bills.
They're on a high quality duck-specific, age appropriate feed (Allen & Page Smallholder, UK), and have access to clean water for drinking and dunking. They're still on heat (brood plate) and inside mainly (and overnight), they have access to free range outside during the day when it's dry and warm outside.
His slightly bald eye in the photo is where his adult feathers are starting to pin and grow in.
TIA.
I've got a 4-5 week old Khaki Campbell duckling that has a crusty/scaling beak. It's reduced the size of its nares to be almost pinpricks.
Any idea what it is and how best to help him?
He's eating, drinking and grooming normally, and is not lethargic. He's not isolating (or being isolated by) the rest of the flock. But when holding him and he's under some stress, you can hear his breathing is heavier than normal due to his nares being restricted.
None of the rest of my flock of 12 ducklings from the same hatch have any scaling, damage or other beak abnormalities. This is probably a coincidence, but he's also the only duckling with any beak abnormality - if you look closely at the photo, his lower bill is slightly longer than his upper. The rest have completely normal, healthy bills.
They're on a high quality duck-specific, age appropriate feed (Allen & Page Smallholder, UK), and have access to clean water for drinking and dunking. They're still on heat (brood plate) and inside mainly (and overnight), they have access to free range outside during the day when it's dry and warm outside.
His slightly bald eye in the photo is where his adult feathers are starting to pin and grow in.
TIA.
. Should fix him right up. Don't use a lot, just a very thin layer 2x daily. Also apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon per gallon) in his drinking water. Should be 110% fine in about a week, consistency is key 
