Help! Duckling with lump on neck

[hannanah]

Hi - I'm new here and hoping someone recognizes this problem. My less-than-a-week-old khaki Campbell duckling has a firm lump on her throat, next to her face. She seems active and well, and is eating, drinking, and pooping OK. However, the lump seems to be causing issues with swallowing, as she will often dribble water out of her bill when I pick her up, and seems to struggle to get food past it. I'm really worried! Ill try to take her to a vet, bit if anyone has advice in the meantime I would be very grateful

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Can you tell us what she has been eating ?
Looks like a full crop possibly

 

[hannanah]

Can you tell us what she has been eating ?
Looks like a full crop possibly

She's been eating duck food crumbles and the occasional treat. Pretty sure this isn't her crop.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

She's been eating duck food crumbles and the occasional treat. Pretty sure this isn't her crop.

What kind of treats ?
Do you provide Chick grit when giving a treat ? Ducks need grit to help digest amy feed that is not the crumble
How big is the crumble ?
Does she have access to water 24/7 ? Is her water dish deep enough to dunk her whole head ?
I had a duckling that when he ate eggs his neck went like this and it was his crop full but would go down

I’ll tag a few others to help you as well
@Miss Lydia
@DuckyDonna
@WVduckchick

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you looked inside her bill to see if there is feed packed in this area? stick your finger in and feel around? it could either be feed packed in there or an abscess?
Is this hard or squishy?

 

[hannanah]

What kind of treats ?
Do you provide Chick grit when giving a treat ? Ducks need grit to help digest amy feed that is not the crumble
How big is the crumble ?
Does she have access to water 24/7 ? Is her water dish deep enough to dunk her whole head ?
I had a duckling that when he ate eggs his neck went like this and it was his crop full but would go down

I’ll tag a few others to help you as well
@Miss Lydia
@DuckyDonna
@WVduckchick

The treats I give her are mealworms and mashed up peas. I have not been supplying grit but I will get some. The crumble is Dumor duck crumble, with some nutritional yeast mixed in for the niacin. She has access to water all the time. Deep enough for her bill, but not her whole head. Should I get a deeper one?

It doesn't seem like it's her crop? I'm new to this, but this is like a firm lump. Her crop is larger, softer, and farther down her neck.

I'm wondering if this is a wasp sting or something? There are 11 other ducklings and none of them have this lump

 

[hannanah]

Have you looked inside her bill to see if there is feed packed in this area? stick your finger in and feel around? it could either be feed packed in there or an abscess?
Is this hard or squishy?

I tried but her mouth is so small I couldn't open it very wide :/ Definitely too small for my fat fingers to reach in. I would say the lump is firm but not hard like bone. I tried massaging it, but it feels like a solid firm lump, not a pocket full of air/liquid. Could it be a tumor?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Are you using hay or straw for bedding? Has she been fed grass, hay or anything that could be stiff and leafy?

 

[hannanah]

Are you using hay or straw for bedding? Has she been fed grass, hay or anything that could be stiff and leafy?

I'm using pine flakes at the moment. It's definitely possible she ate some. They are pretty fine (not the big chunks I use for my hens)

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

The treats I give her are mealworms and mashed up peas. I have not been supplying grit but I will get some. The crumble is Dumor duck crumble, with some nutritional yeast mixed in for the niacin. She has access to water all the time. Deep enough for her bill, but not her whole head. Should I get a deeper one?

It doesn't seem like it's her crop? I'm new to this, but this is like a firm lump. Her crop is larger, softer, and farther down her neck.

I'm wondering if this is a wasp sting or something? There are 11 other ducklings and none of them have this lump

Possibly a sting could cause this if she ate one
I’m not 100 % sure on what’s going on but add grit this will help them all digest the treats
I start with the chicken water dish for 3 days then the bill grows and needs deeper water. I use plastic containers and cut holes in the lids so the head can go in but baby can’t jump in and get cold
As they grow I use bigger containers
Having it deep enough to clear the eyes and bill is important but I don’t think it caused the issues this baby has
Was he born with it ? Or something that just appeared ?