Duck Beak troubles

[worried Duck mom]

 

[tlcmurphy]

@Miss Lydia @ruthhope @Jenbirdee can you help?

 

[worried Duck mom]

Sorry, I guess I was supposed to post introduction, but instead I jumped right in with my duck problem. I live in New Braunfels, TX on 6 acres. We have tried to raise chickens and ducks, but can't seem to keep them safe! Didn't expect an attack on my last duck during the day. I went to put him up for the evening and found him laying on the side of the pond with part of his upper beak gone. We do have hawks and coyotes so I'm not sure which would have been able to take off part of his beak. Can a duck survive with a part of the upper beak gone? Is there anything I can do to help him survive?

 

[tlcmurphy]

Welcome to BYC, I’ve tagged a few knowledgeable Duck folks for you.

 

[worried Duck mom]

Welcome to BYC, I’ve tagged a few knowledgeable Duck folks for you.

Thank you! I need all the help I can get!

 

[Evadig]

It looks to me like a snapping turtle took off part of his bill?

One did that to one of my ducks. We cleaned the remaining beak with antibiotic wipes and syringe fed her mush for about a week or two. Eventually the beak scabbed over and we let her back outside. She was able to eat in her own if you gave her a deep, wide dish that she could shovel the food into her mouth.

I did end up rehoming her and the other birds I had at the time so I don’t know how she did long term.

Hope this helps!

Edit: just saw you’re in the introduction thread…

 

[worried Duck mom]

It looks to me like a snapping turtle took off part of his bill?

One did that to one of my ducks. We cleaned the remaining beak with antibiotic wipes and syringe fed her mush for about a week or two. Eventually the beak scabbed over and we let her back outside. She was able to eat in her own if you gave her a deep, wide dish that she could shovel the food into her mouth.

I did end up rehoming her and the other birds I had at the time so I don’t know how she did long term.

Hope this helps!

Can you tell me what food you mushed up to feed her? He can drink water, but I've put different bowls with dried worms, and he can't seem to pick them up.

 

[Evadig]

Can you tell me what food you mushed up to feed her? He can drink water, but I've put different bowls with dried worms, and he can't seem to pick them up.

I used her regular duck food (I think it was pellets) mixed with water to make a thickish soup.

I think I was using Purina Duck feed at the time, but any duck feed (pellets or crumble) will work.

 

[DobieLover]

Good luck with your duck.

 

[worried Duck mom]

I used her regular duck food (I think it was pellets) mixed with water to make a thickish soup.

I think I was using Purina Duck feed at the time, but any duck feed (pellets or crumble) will work.

Thank you so much for the info! Really appreciate the advice!