bill problems

[duckgirl04]

i have a new pastel call duck which was hatched about 2 days ago who has a messes up bill. it looks almost like a cleft in humans. the right side of the bill appears to be normal. the lower bill is offset somewhat to the left. and on the upper side of the left part of it is missing. the nostril on the left side is missing and you can see part of the tongue. i am having problems getting this baby to eat. is there anything i can do for this baby? Help!

 

[threehorses]

I had a goose who was born like that and I bought him (to keep him from being someone's dinner).

First, with the baby, you will always want to keep a very very deep container of crumbles for him. With his bill, it will be hard for him to pick up food without scooping it. He has an entire bottom bill, yes?

Second, you will want to start by wetting the crumbles lightly and letting the water absorb. The crumbles will then soften and are easier to pick up, they don't bounce around so much like dry crumbles do.

You could even make a wet mash - which being a messy little duck I'm positive he'd love!

It may be that he cannot make it, but give him a shot. Also adding a little mashed/wetted yolk from a boiled egg might help him get the nutrition he needs here at the first since he'll have a little harder time of it.

Please do let us know how he does. Thank you!

 

[duckgirl04]

Thanks! But sadly enough the little fellow didn't make it. I even tried putting the mush on my fingertip and tried to get him to take it from there. I would have loved him just the same. Thanks again!

 

[threehorses]

Aww I'm sorry - there might have been something inside him, too, that was messed up. Bless you for trying to save him... at least he knew compassion in his short life. Thank you for that!

 

[Mahonri]

Sorry,

I opened this post thinking that either your husband's name was William....

... or like the rest of us, you were having trouble paying your bills.

Guess I need to get poultry on my mind!