Defective duckling bill, help!

[angiegorham17]

Hi guys! I'm Angie, I have a 9 month old mallard, his name is goose/petey! He currently has foster siblings (baby mallards) the two of the have to be maybe 5 days old at max, their bills are nothing I've ever seen before.. It looks like you took to Pringles and stuck them in your mouth to make a duck face, I will attach a photo. They can eat and drink, just a little harder for them, the just can't close the front properly cause it curls opposite directions (upper curls up, lower curls downward) Any idea what causes this, anything I can do to help since they are still growing? Any Input would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much

 

[dotknott]

Hi Angie! Welcome to BYC!

@MandBducks this reminds me of Winnie! Any advice?

 

[MandBducks]

Hi guys! I'm Angie, I have a 9 month old mallard, his name is goose/petey! He currently has foster siblings (baby mallards) the two of the have to be maybe 5 days old at max, their bills are nothing I've ever seen before.. It looks like you took to Pringles and stuck them in your mouth to make a duck face, I will attach a photo. They can eat and drink, just a little harder for them, the just can't close the front properly cause it curls opposite directions (upper curls up, lower curls downward) Any idea what causes this, anything I can do to help since they are still growing? Any Input would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much

Hi Angie! Welcome to BYC!

@MandBducks this reminds me of Winnie! Any advice?

This definitely looks like Winnie!

I just kept a really close eye on Winnie as she did start growing slower than her siblings. From the get go I gave her Nutridrench and Vet-RX because I had no idea what caused it or if vitamins might help. The Vet RX really seemed to help Winnie initially because she had slits instead of nostrils (she now has a semi-nostril hole).

I also continue to supplement her diet with mashed eggs which helped her gain weight, the bigger she is getting the easier it is for her to shovel with her beak.

I have reached out to two others who had ducklings with similar bill deformities and both ducklings are now full grown and enjoying life! Do be prepared for their bills to get worse as they grow. From my experience and the others I have talked to their bills tend to continue to curl upwards through growth.

 

[angiegorham17]

I'm still trying to figure this site out, thanks so much for the info! Where can I get those things from, a tractor supply or maybe order online? Your baby looks just like mine do! I wish there was more info on how or why it happens. Doesn't seem to bother mine too much, I think it bothers me more because I feel bad that they are special! Thanks again for the info!!

 

[MandBducks]

I'm still trying to figure this site out, thanks so much for the info! Where can I get those things from, a tractor supply or maybe order online? Your baby looks just like mine do! I wish there was more info on how or why it happens. Doesn't seem to bother mine too much, I think it bothers me more because I feel bad that they are special! Thanks again for the info!!

I got my Nutridrench from Amazon and the Vet RX from a local feed store.

 

[coloradopips]

How is this little guy doing? I have a duckling with the same issue

 

[MandBducks]

How is this little guy doing? I have a duckling with the same issue

I can't speak for the OP but my girl is doing well. No special accommodations needed anymore.

 

[lovemy mallards]

I can't speak for the OP but my girl is doing well. No special accommodations needed anymore.

such a pretty baby

 

[coloradopips]

So good to hear!! Mine seems to be growing along with the rest of the ducklings

 

[coloradopips]