Duck's Bill "Growth"

[Hotspurious]

Quack, one of my Buff Orpington ducks, has in the last month developed a growth of sorts on her bill. (See pic) After researching this forum and via Google, I'm still unsure as to what it is, why it formed or, most importantly, how to treat it.

She exhibits no other symptoms with the growth; no pain, no tenderness, no listlessness, no loss of appetite, etc... Just the growth (so far). The growth itself is obviously darker than the rest of her bill and typically wetter (slicker?); ever so slightly elevated.

We have had a change in seasons out here in CA with quite a bit of rain and she and her running mate have been extensively hunting bugs, slugs, etc...

Anybody have Buffs - or other ducks - that have experienced this type of issue? Remedies? Insights? I'm a long term chicken owner so duck illnesses and issues are new to me.

Any advice/help would be very appreciated.

- Hotspurious

 

[happy duck]

I have 3 buff ducks and have never seen this in mine before. It almost looks like some kind of gunk got on it. Don't try to scrape it off...it might cause greater damage or open up a way for infection, but is there anyway for you to maybe take a paper towel and try and "wipe" it off?

 

[Cayuga momma]

Hmmm, I haven't seen anything like this either. It almost looks like she got into some kind of adhesive that stuck and dried to her bill. I'm guessing you tried to wash it off with soap and warm water and didn't come off.

 

[Hotspurious]

Hmmm, I haven't seen anything like this either. It almost looks like she got into some kind of adhesive that stuck and dried to her bill. I'm guessing you tried to wash it off with soap and warm water and didn't come off.

Cayuga, I did indeed. I went so far as to use a vibrating toothbrush and soapy water to gently try to remove the growth - thinking at first it was simply something stuck to her. Unfortunately... No joy. I believe it's a growth.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony ever seen anything like this? I sure haven’t.

 

[casportpony]

What's the shiny stuff around her nostril?
is the growth sort of hard?

 

[Cayuga momma]

Cayuga, I did indeed. I went so far as to use a vibrating toothbrush and soapy water to gently try to remove the growth - thinking at first it was simply something stuck to her. Unfortunately... No joy. I believe it's a growth.

Is a vet an option?

 

[Hotspurious]

Is a vet an option?

Yes, shy of someone here knowing what that is on her beak and how best to address it, I believe that's my very next option. I have a good local vet.

 

[Cayuga momma]

Yes, shy of someone here knowing what that is on her beak and how best to address it, I believe that's my very next option. I have a good local vet.

Atleast a vet might be able to take a sample of it to try to find out what it is.
Please keep us updated! I'm hoping the best for your ducky!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know I’ve been here since 2009 and I’ve never seen that. Since she is doing all things normal hopefully it’s something the vet can take care of pretty easy. Please keep us updated.