Duckling with bump on bill, assistance request

[FluffyBunnykins]

Hello BYC!

Last week a baby duckling was found walking down my very residential street - the little guy was part of a "foster" program where you can bring ducklings home with you...and when you and your kids are tired of them, you drop them back at the farm. The duckling apparently escaped from the backyard where it was being kept...and the family that was caring for it didn't want it back (shocking right!)..so...I am currently taking care of the duckie while we try to find a suitable home. I believe it is a Pekin duckling that is 3-4 weeks old. I have noticed that the little guy has a bump on its bill that is slowly getting larger (but so the duckling..so it seems proportional). The bump is slightly pinker than the rest of the bill, and is softer/squishier than the bill is. Is this something I should be worried about? I saw mentions in other posts regarding Epsom salt compresses, as well as adding apple cider vinegar to drinking water - would these be appropriate options?

 

[Ratchnick]

Are you talking about where the bill meets the feathers?

 

[FluffyBunnykins]

Yes, right in the center of where the bill and feathers meet.

 

[Ratchnick]

I'm not sure what that is. If it were me i would just watch it. ACV is in my opinion not based upon scientific reality but it won't hurt anything. Maybe someone else has seen that type of swelling before.

 

[Isaac 0]

Not sure, is that something musovys have when young @Miss Lydia ? If not it could be from a pecking sore, or it may be from her rubbing it up against something such as a feeder.


If you're going to put apple cider vinegar in her water, put it in your water too. You'll probably just not drink as much, she'll likely do the same. Which, of course, for overall health isn't good. I don't agree with the use of ACV, personally.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks like a carnuckle coming up. I give my ducks ACV in their drinking water especially when it’s hot it works as a tonic. I actually use it too. 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.

 

[Isaac 0]

I've used it too a few years back, but there was noticeably decreased water intake amongst the birds.

I guess whatever works.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I sure don’t see it in my they usually have their heads all the way to the bottom of the bucket. Well they did until I put lids on the buckets with holes for their heads. Now they can’t splash half the water out.

 

[britesidefarm]

I don’t doubt the idea that it could be a cyst or mass, but what I think your dealing with here based off the color of the duckling and the dark spots around his head, that this is a normal Muscovy Duck. This breed is known to have a caruncles around their face, and that is what I believe this to be.