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

 

[Hotspurious]

Yeah ive been researching photos and websites since you posted on and off and i CANT find anything close

Closest is a scratch like a sharp point or nail drug accross the bill, Barbed wire fence or something

Whats your fence material?
Whats your coop built out of?
Electric fence?
Do you check them and look closely at them everyday?

These are scratches i found online it seams mabye after their healed they end up looking like what you have but iam sure you wouldve seen wounds when they were fresh

Can you get a picture or look on the inside of the bill? The roof of his mouth basicaly

I swear it looks like something bit it and drug its teeth down his bill


One more waaay out of the box idea is when i cut wood the resin drips right out of balsa pine and fur trees and dries like epoxy on me... Just a thaught

But im no expert just trying to help

Thought about that as well. Their aviary is an extension of - not connected with a passthrough - the chicken house. There is chicken wire on some sides (We don't want Mr. Racoon stopping in for a late night visit!) and I'm wondering if that has something to do with the 'growths'.

Maybe she scratched her bill and that's how it's... healing? Don't rightly know but she's off to the vet tomorrow for a look. More to follow...

 

[Hotspurious]

Sorry to all for the wait.

The vet wasn't 100% certain on what caused the growth - other than it is indeed a growth and not something stuck to her bill. He said it was 'very likely bacterial' and attacked an internal layer in her bill with the growth a response to that infection. He further suggested some sort of damage (scratch, bite, other) making those areas of the bill more susceptible to infection. He prescribed an antibacterial agent. 14 days. Fingers crossed.

Of note, I asked about the tumeric suggestion. He thought it a solid home remedy for smaller issues but was glad I brought her in for him to have a look.

Where's Waldo now? Quack is out and about with her running partner (Chirp) trolling for grubs and bugs.

 

[Hotspurious]

Quack update: A close up pic after several days of treatment.

As you can see, its gone down quite a bit. However... I'm now questioning what it is again. She'll be back to the vet next week for a check-in. Only time will tell if he has a different perspective as to what he's treating.

More to follow.

 

[PATOS]

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

I would suggest Turmeric - asap- get powdered or fresh and make a paste- I know it works on any fungus, etc

 

[casportpony]

If a vet is an option that would be best, IMO. Please, please, please do not like any holes in it because that could introduce an infection.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Wow. Anxious to hear the outcome of your vet visit!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Quack update: A close up pic after several days of treatment.

As you can see, its gone down quite a bit. However... I'm now questioning what it is again. She'll be back to the vet next week for a check-in. Only time will tell if he has a different perspective as to what he's treating.

More to follow.

View attachment 1652357

That is so strange! Thank you so much for updating us. Please keep us posted when you can in case someone else ever has this issue!

 

[Hotspurious]

A follow-up pic from earlier today.

Although it's now nearly gone, our vet still isn't entirely sure what it was. However, the prescribed antibiotics are effectively addressing the issue. (Yay Dr. McDaniels!!)

 

[casportpony]

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