Hatched Call Duckling with deformed bill

[RosaSalvaje1980]

Acquired some Call Duck eggs for hatching. 18. Put 10 under broody hen and 8 in incubator. Only 1 started development under hen, so I brought it in with others in incubator. Blood ring in a couple, late death in a couple more. 1 malpositioned, died in hatch.

4 hatched, but 1 of them has a deformed bill. Like a cleft palate. Just didn't develop fully. He/she is drinking just fine, eating floating Mazuri food and even ate unmedicated dry chick start. Healthy and active. Not suffering or struggling, quite the opposite really.. His tongue just hangs out a little, like those gawd awful Chinese created dogs. Going to just see how he does, but so far so good. He will just be a "special" friend around here. Misfits pen. Lol. Obviously I wont be getting more eggs or dicklings from this source, and wont be breeding this one (or the sibling survivors) but if he gets along ok, then he can be part of our pack/flock. Lol. So, without further explanation- meet Sid. Bless his special little heart.

What say ye? Any experience or knowledge with this? Opinions are great, but don't be a jerk and just say I should've culled. It's like telling a mother of a baby with a cleft palate she should have aborted. Constructive advice or opinions welcome tho.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My constructive advise is, that lil one is a keeper!! such a precious little thing and sounds like Sid doing just great too.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! I had one hatch with a very severe bill deformity. My first thought was I should cull it, but I didn't and he somehow managed to survive, so I say keep an eye on it and if it can figure out how to eat and drink it will probably be fine.

 

[ButteCA]

Too much duck cuteness on BYC today!

 

[fawnda]

I don't think it looks all that bad really and as he/she grows, it may fill out a bit. I watched a wild sparrow with a beak deformity survive with a deformity much worse, so if a wild bird can survive with no help really (I did break up some food for it), I'm sure this little one will be ok with some help if needed.

 

[RosaSalvaje1980]

My constructive advise is, that lil one is a keeper!! such a precious little thing and sounds like Sid doing just great too.

I love that constructive advice!

 

[RosaSalvaje1980]

I don't think it looks all that bad really and as he/she grows, it may fill out a bit. I watched a wild sparrow with a beak deformity survive with a deformity much worse, so if a wild bird can survive with no help really (I did break up some food for it), I'm sure this little one will be ok with some help if needed.

I was thinking the same thing, that it might fill in a little as it grows. Really, hes eating and splooshing his bill in the water as much as the others...I was super surprised at the dry food intake. Just figured I would be offering him soft food only, but hes doing great so far! Yay!

 

[casportpony]

Check these out:

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/strange-duck-deformity-please-help.890573/
• https://www.flickr.com/groups/52242083190@N01/discuss/72157603653973658/

 

[RosaSalvaje1980]

Check these out:

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/strange-duck-deformity-please-help.890573/
• https://www.flickr.com/groups/52242083190@N01/discuss/72157603653973658/

Welp. Sid doesnt look that severe, imo. So that's hopeful.

 

[casportpony]

Welp. Sid doesnt look that severe, imo. So that's hopeful.

Yeah, right? Mine looks worse if you can imagine that!