Duckling with a shredded beak

[Greg1971]

This duckling was born 2 days ago outside in the duck pen. Its mum was sitting on the eggs. We noticed 2 new ducklings 2 days ago joining 2 that had already been born. When we first saw it the duckling was physically intact with no problems.

Several hours later my children noticed that it was alone at the side of the duck pen and its beak had been shredded (we don't know how it happened). So we brought it inside the house and put it into a broody box.

Any suggestions on how to look after it or what to do would be really appreciated. thanks

I have also posted this under chickens Link here.

 

[biophiliac]

@Ravynscroft , @casportpony , @WVduckchick ?
this thread also pertains...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/duckling-with-a-shredded-beak.1200943/
Good luck with your little one Greg!

 

[Rickba]

WOW, that's quite an injury. I'd feed with Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food. You mix as instructed and feed it with a syringe. the baby will get plenty of nourishment and moisture 'til it heals and can fend for it's self. The beak won't grow back but the duck will adapt.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Don't syringe into the mouth, if needed, tube feeding is much safer than a syringe... @casportpony has a tube feeding thread and can give better advice on it than I can...

Do other ducks have access to mom and the babies? Are they separated from the flock? Injuries like these are usually adult flock mates pecking at the little ones...

 

[casportpony]

This duckling was born 2 days ago outside in the duck pen. Its mum was sitting on the eggs. We noticed 2 new ducklings 2 days ago joining 2 that had already been born. When we first saw it the duckling was physically intact with no problems.

Several hours later my children noticed that it was alone at the side of the duck pen and its beak had been shredded (we don't know how it happened). So we brought it inside the house and put it into a broody box.

Any suggestions on how to look after it or what to do would be really appreciated. thanks

I have also posted this under chickens Link here.

View attachment 1147714

Welcome to BYC!

Is it showing any interest in food or water? Is there another duckling that you can put with it?

 

[Greg1971]

It is showing interest in water but not so much in food, I think because it finds it hard to take it in. The underside of its beak, as well as being short, is broken through the middle and it look a bit like a fork. It doesn't have anything to put its food on to get it into its mouth.

It is a very cuddly little guy and we all fallen in love with it. I am not sure what to do. My heart says keep the little guy, but my head says he will struggle its whole life.

Welcome to BYC!

Is it showing any interest in food or water? Is there another duckling that you can put with it?

 

[Ravynscroft]

It is showing interest in water but not so much in food, I think because it finds it hard to take it in. The underside of its beak, as well as being short, is broken through the middle and it look a bit like a fork. It doesn't have anything to put its food on to get it into its mouth.

It is a very cuddly little guy and we all fallen in love with it. I am not sure what to do. My heart says keep the little guy, but my head says he will struggle its whole life.

View attachment 1147877

Poor baby... it may heal and adapt, you would be surprised what animals can adapt to... I would get some Nutridrench Poultry vitamins for its water to give it a boost... also, if you can get Kaytee Exact baby bird food from a pet store, that would be your best bet food-wise for it... until then, if you have a blender or coffee grinder, blend some crumble until it is the finest of powder, very, very fine... mix a little with some warm water and try that with it... you *could* use an eye dropper, and just a single drop at a time in just barely into the bill, be very careful of it inhaling it though...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Here is another thread that may help as well...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/

 

[chickendreams24]

Oh my gosh! Poor baby.

I don't have experience with ducks as far as advice but I have syringe fed/dropper fed many injured or ill birds. Do no more than a drop at a time if you go that route. It will take quite a while to feed but I think it has a chance. Also if it's drinking or showing interest then it hasn't given up.

Please keep us up to date. I hope more people with more experience weigh in and help you out. Tube feeding may be an option but idk how you'd open the baby's mouth without hurting it. I'm sure someone will say if it's the better option.

 

[casportpony]

If it were mine and I wanted to try to sae it, and I'm not sure I would, I would tube feed it.

Can you go to a vet and ask for a size 8 catheter (red rubber type)? If you go this route you will also need kitchen scale for daily weighing and Kaytee exact baby bird food from Petsmart or Petco.