Prognosis and advice for duckling with bill deformity

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Sweet little duckling. It may have a palate defect inside the bill as well as the visible deformity. A simple reason for it not growing as fast as the others might be that it is not getting as much food down. Keep an eye on its intake -- water as well as crumbles. But the little one may well grow and live normally with time. I have had two ducks with deformed bills -- both traumatic rather than congenital. They did well as adults feeding from deep pots and "catching' their peas in water in a deep saucer.

That makes sense. It's one of four I have left so it's hard to tell how much it eats. It is growing though; it's just lighter than the others. It definitely seems to be getting along well rather than going downhill. I'm glad to hear yours did well!

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

@WhiteTreeOfGondor have you looked inside the bill for anything not normal?

No, but I'll do that. I'll have to compare it with another because I've never examined the inside of a duckling's bill!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes you want to compare.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Yes you want to compare.

Both bills look the same inside. It actually looks like the duckling's one nare is opening a bit more like Jenbirdee said, so that's good. But now it's walking funny and sometimes stepping on its own feet. I think I'll give it some extra niacin and see if that helps.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Give it some Liquid B complex here is the link for doses
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/
sounds like a niacin deficiency starting.

It's good to hear all looks normal and the nare is opening.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Give it some Liquid B complex here is the link for doses
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/
sounds like a niacin deficiency starting.

It's good to hear all looks normal and the nare is opening.

Thank you! I keep that on hand.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Update: the duckling's bill looks almost normal now. Even the other nostril is opening a bit, and there don't seem to be breathing problems anymore. The only real issue now is weak legs, so I'm still giving B complex.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is so amazing. Keep up with the B complex and hopefully the little one will be up running in no time.