Flaky Bill on Duck

[pekinlover]

Hi everyone! My duck Sammy, a four-year-old Pekin, has some suspicious stuff going on with his bill. He has always had a flaky bill and the vet didn't seem worried about it a few months ago. I read that some ducks just are like that. My other male's bill is fine and both birds eat Mazuri maintenance. Does he have some kind of deficiency, mite? Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[Amiga]

It does seem like it might be inflamed a bit, eh? I think you could try some things that are fairly benign.

I would add poultry vitamins with probiotics and electrolytes to their water once a week for a month or two, in case it's nutrients. Some ducks just need more vitamins.

I would also add a tablespoon of ground flax seed to the food daily.

And I might put some salve on the bill - something mild, with beeswax and organic olive oil. Maybe just a little tiny dab of olive oil especially where the bill joins the face at the feather line. Tiny dab, not much at all.

 

[pekinlover]

Thanks Amiga, I will try that. I had put a little petroleum jelly, small amounts, on his bill. He really hated that and I'm not sure if it helped.

 

[Amiga]

Something else that might help is a tablespoon of good quality dry cat kibble every day or every other day.

 

[pekinlover]

So it's been a week of having Sammy on the vitamins and electrolytes and he's looking a ton better. His bill is still a bit dry where it meets his face but other than that is looking good. He's also had a lot of energy and a bit more sass (which is always a good sign). I plan to keep him on the vitamins for another week or two.

 

[Amiga]