Ducks bill changing colour and lumps - Help!

[Ducklingmum]

Hi guys,
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what to do about it?

My 16 week old male (Eggbert) started off with a bright orange bill from hatching and recently he has developed patches that are turning it pale. He also has two little lumps on one side and one lump on the other side this one looks like its splitting!
I have taken him to the vet but they didn't know and are researching it. Thought I would do some research of my own. I have attached a picture of what the 'split' lump looks like and you can see the area on this side that's changed colour.
Hope someone out there can help me and little Eggbert figure this out.

 

[BaJa]

molting, maybe?

 

[BaJa]

 

[Ducklingmum]

he is in the final stage of molting but his six siblings have all finished molting and their bills didn't change colour. would this explain the lumps and splitting as well?

 

[Ducktown]

I have a runner drake that often has similar issues with his bill. None of my other ducks is affected. The patch that seems to be peeling off is always on the same spot and doesn't seem to bother him. His bill looked OK after final molting this summer/fall transition when he also got all feathered-up, but it re-appeared after short period of time. I guess mine has sensitive skin or something.

 

[Ducklingmum]

Thanks Ducktown, good to know I am not the only one with this!
Just to update everyone, I heard back from the avian specialist at the vets and they said it might be a vitamin deficiency. they said to give him (human) baby multi vitamins that had Zinc in them and feed the lowest dosage over two weeks to see what happens.

 

[chickens really]

Hello....That is normal....All Ducks shed off their Bills..Healthy Bill underneath....It looks bad although normal .....