Can muscovy caruncles get sunburned?

[blackforestbirds]

We were hit by a heat wave on Monday and one of my Muscovy ducks was panting and lethargic which I read online are signs of heatstroke.
I rushed her into the house and put her in front of a fan with a bowl of ice water with a sprinkle of sugar and she perked up. She has been fine since then but I've noticed the few caruncles she has on her face are turning orange and yellow. I'm wondering if she could have been sunburned. I know their caruncles are vulnerable to frostbite so I thought maybe sunburn too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It maybe since that is the color my Muscovy drake and one of his females carnucles turned when they got frost bite. Do you have any aloe or aloe vera lotion?

 

[blackforestbirds]

It maybe since that is the color my Muscovy drake and one of his females caruncles turned when they got frost bite. Do you have any aloe or aloe vera lotion?

Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it! I have an aloe plant so I can try to put some on her. She doesn't love being handled and I've never tried touching her face. She will let me lightly stroke her back sometimes so I'll give it a shot. Did your ducks heal from the frostbite? I'm wondering if the discoloration is permanent, like scarring. I'm also worried about skin cancer. Can they get that?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know about skin cancer with sunburn or frost bite. Hopefully not with this only happening once. My drake got hit the worse since his knob on his face is bigger than the one female and it never has turned back to normal, still discolored. I think it makes their skin thinner because my female has opened her skin up a few times when rubbing it on something. But it's been a few years now and it hasn't happend in a good while. My drake hasn't ever opened his skin up but then again he has never been broody and had to be locked up so he didn't beat up on his flock members either. lol His female did. lol

 

[blackforestbirds]

I feel so badly about this ... it just never occurred to me they could sunburn. I'm wondering if I should apply sunscreen if we ever get hit like that with 110 degree heat again. My concern is she would end up getting sunscreen in her water when she dips her face in (which she does about 300 times per day!) and then drinking it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I doubt it would work since like you said they dunk their heads so often she'd be drinking it. Hopefully you'll never have those temps again. Just make sure they have access to shade and hope they will use it.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

My muscovies caruncles turn orange and yellow when they aren't laying or when they aren't feeling 100%. Mine are out in the sun all day everyday and honestly - when the clouds are covering the UV rays are just as bad. Its probably due to over heating. I would just keep her cooler for now. Make sure there is plenty of shade, cool water to swim in - add ice to some of it so it can be a cool dip if they feel like it - offer some cold treats - I give frozen watermelon on super hot days. Freshen their water throughout the day. I also add frozen bottles of water in the run that they could sit by to cool off if needed.

 

[MrsTush]

I let mine play in the hose when it's hot...like today
I refill pans of water and their pools a few times a day because those end up too warm to really help them. Most of the time they lay under a bush that the chickens have scratched up the dirt so it's cooler.
The watermelon is a huge favorite here too. Everyone comes running when they see it.