Cross-Billed Duck in Winter?

[Canadian Wind]

I had a duckling hatch with a crossed-bill, due to a power outage that lasted 60 hours. This was back in April. It's now full grown for the most part (can't tell if male or female due to being mute and isn't old enough yet for a drake curl) but as it grew the deformity became worse. My whole flock gets mash so it's been able to eat by scooping food back in the lower half of the bill without having to separate from the others.

But it occurred to me that since the bill doesn't close, the tongue is always exposed. Is this going to be a problem once the freezing weather hits?

That's the duck in the back middle (please excuse their tattered appearance, it had been raining).

 

[Canadian Wind]

Anyone??

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes that poor baby’s mouth is going to freeze.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Yes that poor baby’s mouth is going to freeze.

That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want/need an indoor duck for winter!

 

[Rouen Mom]

This article is about chickens, but this is all I could find

https://poultrydvm.com/condition/chicken-beak-deformities

 

[Canadian Wind]

Thank you. They don't address much in that. I couldn't find anything online either.

 

[DukesDucks]

I had the same concerns after a raccoon attack caused one of my Muscovy ducks to lose half of the top of her bill, and the bottom end tip. Her tongue is exposed. After getting advice on BYC, I decided to give her a chance. When I found she was able to eat and drink , I still worried about the long cold winter. She had no problems with the cold. Has since been renamed Miracle.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I had the same concerns after a raccoon attack caused one of my Muscovy ducks to lose half of the top of her bill, and the bottom end tip. Her tongue is exposed. After getting advice on BYC, I decided to give her a chance. When I found she was able to eat and drink , I still worried about the long cold winter. She had no problems with the cold. Has since been renamed Miracle.

Thank you! And I know your winters are pretty much the same as mine, so I'll give him a chance.

Not changing his name though; he'll always be 'Derpy' to me

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thank you! And I know your winters are pretty much the same as mine, so I'll give him a chance.

Not changing his name though; he'll always be 'Derpy' to me

Honestly, I feel like it might stay warm enough from body heat..... I'm not very experienced with ducks, and have had awful luck for chickens in the winter, but none of my ducks had any issues at all last winter. Maybe they have better cold tolerance overall?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Honestly, I feel like it might stay warm enough from body heat..... I'm not very experienced with ducks, and have had awful luck for chickens in the winter, but none of my ducks had any issues at all last winter. Maybe they have better cold tolerance overall?

I usually don't even let them out when it gets crazy cold, this is the only time I would feed them in the coop, so yeah hoping the same. And that he might be smart enough to stick his head under his wing if it gets chilled.