Ducks Bill Won't Close!

[thecluckenfarm]

I joined just now and have not introduced myself yet, but I have an emergency and need some advice.

Our mallard can not close her mouth. We pulled her out of the fence with the other ducks and have put her in a separate place with food and water, but I don't think she will be able to eat or drink. I am almost 100% sure her jaw is broken. The bottom bill is just hanging and her tongue is white. Is there any thing we can do to help her or is this a lost cause? My daughter is going to be devastated!

 

[Suzie]

I will ask somebody on the duck forum to help you now...

 

[ChickenLover172]

You're right, she won't be able to eat or drink. Birds need to move their beaks a little to make the water go down. It helps them swallow. I'm so terribly sorry. I had to watch my chicken die of Fowl Cholera.

You may need to put her down, unless she does move her beak and start eating and drinking. Otherwise, she will probably starve.

 

[Suzie]

I have asked on the duck forum for somebody to help you...hopefully you will get a response very soon!

 

[thecluckenfarm]

Thank you both, my bf just said that she has been scooping water and chick feed, he said that she can open it farther, but closing is the issue.

 

[ChickenLover172]

Your welcome, hope your duck gets better!

 

[Suzie]

Seems right now that there is nobody able to respond on the duck thread to the problem..hang in there...help will be here soon!

 

[thecluckenfarm]

Thank you Suzie. We are doing what we can for her. I'm just glad she is eating and drinking now. Apparently one if our roosters jumped on her yesterday. The bf saw it happen and chased him off. We just noticed she wasn't closing her mouth today. Thinking it may have happened then. Right now he is getting him corralled for a new home that doesn't have a rooster. We have three and they are starting to get mean.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I joined just now and have not introduced myself yet, but I have an emergency and need some advice.

Our mallard can not close her mouth. We pulled her out of the fence with the other ducks and have put her in a separate place with food and water, but I don't think she will be able to eat or drink. I am almost 100% sure her jaw is broken. The bottom bill is just hanging and her tongue is white. Is there any thing we can do to help her or is this a lost cause? My daughter is going to be devastated!

Do you have any idea how this happened did she get her bill stuck in something? maybe the fence? they are forever sticking them where they shouldn't. What you have done as far as putting her in a separate place is good. make sure her bowls with food and water are deep so she can scoop. Now you wait and see if she can eat and drink then she has a chance it may not be broken or dislocated. A vet would be a good idea if you can afford one. Do you see any swelling like she may have gotten stung by a wasp or hornet, bee? What makes you think it's broken? pics would help alot.

 

[Suzie]

I sent a personal message to somebody on BYC..they may have some advice...they are wonderful with ducks...if they cannot help i am sure they will give the name(s) of anyone else here who may be able to aid your duck.