HELP- bill injury

[ruthhope]

You have had good encouragement, and advice from the links @Jenbirdee provided.

I have had two ducks with deformed bills as a result of injuries. Both healed and both ducks thrived afterwards. One was a pekin drake that had been attacked by a raccoon while still an easter duckling. His clutch mate was killed and he was abandoned at a vet's office. The other is a muscovy drake who self inflicted an injury putting his head through chicken wire to be aggressive to a new rescue. He badly damaged his bean. Then the daft duck did it again and almost pulled the bean off. It has healed at a rakish angle. [And the then new arrival, a pekin drake, has continued to be his nemesis.]

Both of my ducks with bill injuries healed as deformed beaks and thus they had special needs for feeding. Any duck with a bill that is shortened or deformed will likely require feeding out of a deep bowl or pan. They will tend to plow the feed up against the wall to get feed into their bill. No big deal but a wide relatively shallow feed bowl is no good for them. Mine have been adept at fishing for peas and meal worms from water, so I try to give them treats in their bathing water. I am going to try them with live fish from a pet store this year.

 

[HenPotts]

Thank you all for the replies. I just wanted to post an update and ask another question. He is doing well, in good spirits, drinking lots and showing an interest in food again. Applying his antibiotic ointment tonight I noticed the break on the top of his bill is clean through. It had looked like it was healing back together but now looks like it's healing in two pieces (if that makes sense) Is there anything I can do for this? What should I expect, is it going to fall off? Should I glue it? He lets me touch it and clean it every day. He is moving around great, we walked over to see his buddies on the weekend. He's more vocal and overall is doing better.

 

[Jenbirdee]

That looks so much better ! Ducks are so good at healing well. Honestly, I don’t know if there is a protocol for that, but personally, I would just continue what you’re doing . How is the lower part of his bill? The underside , is that one whole or also cut?

 

[HenPotts]

That looks so much better ! Ducks are so good at healing well. Honestly, I don’t know if there is a protocol for that, but personally, I would just continue what you’re doing . How is the lower part of his bill? The underside , is that one whole or also cut?

The underside is whole, it has a small dent in it so it's a bit twisted. But overall it's healing well too! His tongue is also in good shape thank goodness.