duckling with severe birth defect : ADVICE? ? ?

[crazy-bird-lady]

I was hatching some eggs from one of my girls. They all hatched on their own yesterday, but one has a severe malformation. First of all, his feet are curled back, making walking extremely difficult. I know how to take care of this though, as I have had it in chickens before. It is his beak that concerns me. Instead of the U shape that a healthy ducks beak has, his is hour glass shaped with no nostrils. I am concerned that if he tries drinKing or eating, he will drown or choke by inhaling into his nasal cavities. Because there are no nostrils, he has no separation between his throat and nasal cavities. Some people are telling me it is best to have him put down, but I'm trying desperately to at least give him a chance.

If anyone has had a duck with this deformity or has advice I would really appreciate what you have to say, because I just don't know what to do. I have this one idea that is unlikely to work, but I was thinking about taping around his upper mandible to create artificial nostrils. Is this even worth attempting?

Here are some pictures to give you an idea if what is wrong.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was hatching some eggs from one of my girls. They all hatched on their own yesterday, but one has a severe malformation. First of all, his feet are curled back, making walking extremely difficult. I know how to take care of this though, as I have had it in chickens before. It is his beak that concerns me. Instead of the U shape that a healthy ducks beak has, his is hour glass shaped with no nostrils. I am concerned that if he tries drinKing or eating, he will drown or choke by inhaling into his nasal cavities. Because there are no nostrils, he has no separation between his throat and nasal cavities. Some people are telling me it is best to have him put down, but I'm trying desperately to at least give him a chance.

If anyone has had a duck with this deformity or has advice I would really appreciate what you have to say, because I just don't know what to do. I have this one idea that is unlikely to work, but I was thinking about taping around his upper mandible to create artificial nostrils. Is this even worth attempting?

Here are some pictures to give you an idea if what is wrong.

Looks to me as though the bill didn't form around where the nares would be and it looks like it can breathe. How is it doing? not sure how easy it would be for it to eat and drink though,.

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

@Miss Lydia I was thinking the same thing. He's doing ok now, but tomorrow morning is about when the yolk is going to run out and he still can't eat or drink. When he tries he sneezes and shakes his head a bunch and then gives up. I don't want to injure him by syringe feeding either. He can breath fine except for when he tries to eat. I feel so bad for the poor guy.

 

[zachbelle]

i dont mean to ask my own question on your thread but ive posted twice in the emergency thread w no responce. i also had some babies hatch yesterday and three of them have one leg that is bent it is bent so that to foot is toward the front as if they were lying down and they cannot straighten them they hobble and are eating and drinking fine they are happy and dont seem to be in pain....i saw that you said yours has problems w its foot and you know how to take care of it could you helpme?

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

i dont mean to ask my own question on your thread but ive posted twice in the emergency thread w no responce. i also had some babies hatch yesterday and three of them have one leg that is bent it is bent so that to foot is toward the front as if they were lying down and they cannot straighten them they hobble and are eating and drinking fine they are happy and dont seem to be in pain....i saw that you said yours has problems w its foot and you know how to take care of it could you helpme?

Umm, well, his legs aren't bent in any particular way, more that his toes and ankle are curled back and he can't unfold them. All i am doing to fix them it's massaging them open and stretching out The tight muscles so that he can eventually do so on his own. You can try the same with your chicks, but I can't promise it will work. Best of luck with it though.

 

[lilbittheduck]

I suggest feeding it sugar water. Pit the water in a small dixie cup and tilt it towards the ducks bill. Then dunk its tip of the bill into the water and let him drink. The sugar water helps with energy.

 

[zachbelle]

thank you and good luck with your little one!

 

[Miss Lydia]

i dont mean to ask my own question on your thread but ive posted twice in the emergency thread w no responce. i also had some babies hatch yesterday and three of them have one leg that is bent it is bent so that to foot is toward the front as if they were lying down and they cannot straighten them they hobble and are eating and drinking fine they are happy and dont seem to be in pain....i saw that you said yours has problems w its foot and you know how to take care of it could you helpme?

You may find some info on this link just scroll till you see something that may fit what your dealing with. https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Miss Lydia I was thinking the same thing. He's doing ok now, but tomorrow morning is about when the yolk is going to run out and he still can't eat or drink. When he tries he sneezes and shakes his head a bunch and then gives up. I don't want to injure him by syringe feeding either. He can breath fine except for when he tries to eat. I feel so bad for the poor guy.

It's very hard to give up on them but if this lil one can't eat or drink I don't think it's fair to try to keep it going. Of course your the only one who can make the decision and I don't think you'll let it suffer. Sure wish I had some answers for you.

 

[Amykins]

It's very hard to give up on them but if this lil one can't eat or drink I don't think it's fair to try to keep it going. Of course your the only one who can make the decision and I don't think you'll let it suffer. Sure wish I had some answers for you.

I sadly agree. :/ My heart breaks for this poor lil' guy but I can't imagine he'll have a good life not being able to eat properly. I'm so sorry, sweetie. Our hearts all go out to you and your lil' duckie.