Bumpy road ahead

[Quiteabird]

Skin colored bumps appearing on underside of beak at middle and inner edge of lower beak and also on top of beak where it attaches to the head. Wondering if it is dry pox. Very worried because of contagious nature and have other ducklings. Two are showing the underneath bumps and only this one is showing above. Pet quality Calls. All from same hatchery but white is from order a week before others.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC!

Cute Duckling

I don't know much about Ducks, but I don't see anything alarming in the photos. Fowl Pox generally shows as scabs which would be darker.

I'll tag in some Duck Folks to see if they can make any suggestions for you.

@shawluvsbirds @ruthhope @Miss Lydia

 

[Quiteabird]

Thanks a lot. I saw some images last night and now I get it better. I was just worried because I have lost a duckling about 3 days ago now to illness and chalked it up to FTT but I am new and am worried now that someth9ng might have spread because these bumps are on 2 separate duck babies. They are Calls and I understand bc of that uniquely susceptible to things. I did not get them from a show quality breeder and did get inucbated animals in Winter. I am working hard to keep the others doing well qnd bump free I separated the four, two and two in 2 rooms. A lot of work but.... what else can i do as an owner. They are 1 white and 6 pastel. I have lost a few to shipping so far only one Buff over summer and one Call in Nov. I am hoping after losing two ducklings altogether at tender age that i can overcome the kinks of raising ducklings and esp raising Call ducklings. These buggers are VERY SMALL and VERY TRICKY. All of you that respond to each other YOU ROCK!

 

[ruthhope]

I dont see anything I would be worried about in the photos

Ive never seen a case of fowl pox

Good luck with your calls @Quiteabird

 

[Quiteabird]

They came to me in a bad state. This was the second batch that had some in a bad state. One of the Call ducklings was wrapped in clear tape that had a cup of food gel attached to it. Bc he did not die in the time limit I ate the price. I have eaten a lot of price for the small Calls and I am about to quit until I can go to a legitimately good stocked poultry show and speak to breeders and see the parents. I did not realize that this is even more complicated than buying a cat or dog. I am surprised in many good ways but also many bad ways. Bc they are poultry it is very much 'easy come easy go' for some. But when I am giving resuscitation to a duckling in front of others it becomes more than that. The juvenile Buffs I have are outstanding. I dont know if it is the Call style or the breed stock or any amount of variables, I just do know it is not easy. I have chosen not to incubate because that too,is challenging and also hard-core when it goes South it really goes South so-to-speak. I do love my ducklings and cannot place blame on a hatchery, I wanted them i eat the blame for problems in end but the duck taped to the cup by its wing and half its body at 1 day old was just too much. If I ever do it again I will either get big ducks, incubate Calls myself, or buy Calls from a show or breeder only. I will post some pics tomorrow. I will have time for good fun and can take an hour to get them used to the phone camera. They get spooked like a Jordan Peele movie.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've never heard of ducklings/ducks getting fowl pox. I can understand why you'd be worried Calls are so tiny and fragile.
I know @shawluvsbirds breeds Calls hopefully she'll see this tag that @Wyorp Rock and now me have sent. also @WVduckchick.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

They came to me in a bad state. This was the second batch that had some in a bad state. One of the Call ducklings was wrapped in clear tape that had a cup of food gel attached to it. Bc he did not die in the time limit I ate the price. I have eaten a lot of price for the small Calls and I am about to quit until I can go to a legitimately good stocked poultry show and speak to breeders and see the parents. I did not realize that this is even more complicated than buying a cat or dog. I am surprised in many good ways but also many bad ways. Bc they are poultry it is very much 'easy come easy go' for some. But when I am giving resuscitation to a duckling in front of others it becomes more than that. The juvenile Buffs I have are outstanding. I dont know if it is the Call style or the breed stock or any amount of variables, I just do know it is not easy. I have chosen not to incubate because that too,is challenging and also hard-core when it goes South it really goes South so-to-speak. I do love my ducklings and cannot place blame on a hatchery, I wanted them i eat the blame for problems in end but the duck taped to the cup by its wing and half its body at 1 day old was just too much. If I ever do it again I will either get big ducks, incubate Calls myself, or buy Calls from a show or breeder only. I will post some pics tomorrow. I will have time for good fun and can take an hour to get them used to the phone camera. They get spooked like a Jordan Peele movie.

I have never seen fowl pox and do not know much about duck illnesses.
I will say that I haven't felt that my calls were any less hardy than my standard size ducks.
They don't typically require special care other than taking a few more precautions due to their small size and the fact they can fly. They are harder to hatch in an incubator and I have noticed incubated calls seem to have a rougher start than hatching under a broody. It sounds like you've gotten some that were not real healthy to begin with. Never heard of taping a duckling to a cup. That sounds awful.
Hopefully whatever is going on will clear up on it's own! Sorry I'm not much help.

 

[WVduckchick]

Welcome to life with Call ducks! Lol
I also don't see anything in the pics that would cause me much alarm, though I haven't had much sickness or diseases with mine. I get an occasional angel wing here and there, but I also find them to be quite hardy, despite their small size. I do expect it gets worse with show quality calls, though I've only ever kept pet quality (current flock of 43!)
Hatching them in an incubator is definitely more challenging, though easier with pet quality ones vs show quality. The first few days can be especially worrisome with call ducklings, but it's so worth it!

As far as the bumps, I wouldn't worry yet, but do keep an eye on it in case it gets worse. Otherwise, enjoy!!

 

[Quiteabird]

Update! All of you are right it is not fowl.pox! It is tho, deformed beaks. The beaks seem to have areas that are bulbous or hardened because the beaks are completely crooked from face to outer tip and also one beak twists a bit. That same beak also does not close. It is okay. I was not intending to mate them. Thats a whole different day and person. It is tho, disheartening to receive entire group and straight from gate two with spraddle and those two along with 3rd have deformed beaks. Seller handling issue. Thats fine. But, and a deep sigh with this but, I am keeping them and now am going to have pets that are funky bunch for life. Not of my choosing. But of my choosing if it makes sense. My fault for seeking ducklings I suppose. Will go to a farm show next time in spring and talk with people and then maybe try again. Have a group coming this week because of issues i was given comps, that was nice, now i pray they arrive , uhhh, okay? . Praying they arrive fine and I am not whipping out a mechanics kit to reform bones. Too bad there is not a way to securely control all the variables with waterfowl. Is what it is. I could say was egg, was mama, was daddy, was 'bator, was hatchery,was postal service, was bad weather, heck it could even have been in end there is no singular factor for this problem and I have been through something deeply personal over the past 2 months with Calls. I have had to teach myself arm length attachment to living things, but this has been a titch ridiculous.

I consider myself a decent steward. I try to practice good husbandry. This is tough everyone! Dang these little babies are beautiful and really touched by a special hand Calls are just so sweet. Even sweeter than Buff Orps. So i keep them and just walk this fun path and enjoy all of the coaster ride i guess. Bathtub time is a blast with or without a perfect beak. God blessed them with the ability to eat and drink. This could be worse. Everything in life can be worse if I keep it in perspective.

Sending love and hugs to all this morning.


Thank you all for being here for me. I am incredibly thankful and grateful to you.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Update! All of you are right it is not fowl.pox! It is tho, deformed beaks. The beaks seem to have areas that are bulbous or hardened because the beaks are completely crooked from face to outer tip and also one beak twists a bit. That same beak also does not close. It is okay. I was not intending to mate them. Thats a whole different day and person. It is tho, disheartening to receive entire group and straight from gate two with spraddle and those two along with 3rd have deformed beaks. Seller handling issue. Thats fine. But, and a deep sigh with this but, I am keeping them and now am going to have pets that are funky bunch for life. Not of my choosing. But of my choosing if it makes sense. My fault for seeking ducklings I suppose. Will go to a farm show next time in spring and talk with people and then maybe try again. Have a group coming this week because of issues i was given comps, that was nice, now i pray they arrive , uhhh, okay? . Praying they arrive fine and I am not whipping out a mechanics kit to reform bones. Too bad there is not a way to securely control all the variables with waterfowl. Is what it is. I could say was egg, was mama, was daddy, was 'bator, was hatchery,was postal service, was bad weather, heck it could even have been in end there is no singular factor for this problem and I have been through something deeply personal over the past 2 months with Calls. I have had to teach myself arm length attachment to living things, but this has been a titch ridiculous.

I consider myself a decent steward. I try to practice good husbandry. This is tough everyone! Dang these little babies are beautiful and really touched by a special hand Calls are just so sweet. Even sweeter than Buff Orps. So i keep them and just walk this fun path and enjoy all of the coaster ride i guess. Bathtub time is a blast with or without a perfect beak. God blessed them with the ability to eat and drink. This could be worse. Everything in life can be worse if I keep it in perspective.

Sending love and hugs to all this morning.


Thank you all for being here for me. I am incredibly thankful and grateful to you.

Abnormalities do crop up with calls. You gotta think how long they surley had to be line bred/inbred to get something mallard size down to the call duck size. Then to develop all the color varieties.
I'd look for someone more local where you could go pick them up and see what the health of the birds look like first. I personally wouldn't ship call ducklings, or purchase shipped call ducklings. Too many things that can go wrong there.
I hope your new batch comes in good shape!