Shedding feet and holes in feet - HELP

[Goat_Walker]

Posted in the emergencies section but it was suggested I post here


I hav seven healthy mutt ducklings who are making life a joy! But when I was examining them the other day - I noticed five of them have little holes in their feet. Like as in see all the way through them holes. They are circular and in the webbing - but my cayuga cross has it right next to her middle toe - almmost the toe itself.


Also - do ducklings feet shed? because mine do. Ive been breeding and hatching for almost a year not but ive never seen their feet shed - like a snake skin almost.



Ill post pictures when my mom brings her camera home - it takes the best pictures.

 

[DuckHoney]

I don't know about the holes because that is really not normal. Is there any way to bring one to a vet and ask them? I have no clue, but I think it could be some type of infection that eats their skin? I hope that I am wrong in all ways.

The shedding is part of their feet growing bigger. I read that it's suppose to be normal.

I hope your ducklings are ok.

 

[danischi24]

If you didn't hatch them yourself, it could be from the breeder. Some breeders make holes in the webbing using something like a paper punch(though obviously it's a special tool) to identify their waterfowl. I think it is mandatory for captive Canadian geese etc.

 

[Goat_Walker]

I have never had to pay for a ducklings. All are rescues and I hatch all my own ducklings from said rescues.

 

[Cairina moschata]

1. What are you using for bedding? Any chance that they are walking on glass or other sharp material anywhere.

2. You didn't mention if these holes are new or old- if they were there when you got the ducks and they are rescues than perhaps it was an act of cruelty or a weird distribution for frost bite.

3. Are the holes bleeding or is there fluid leaking around the edges? Are the edges of the holes black with necrotic tissue- if so than you might be dealing with an infection.

Pics would help- good luck with your ducks.

 

[tia]

My 3 week old ducklings had the skin on their legs and feet shed, kind of like a snake. I posted a thread on here and someone said it was because they were growing so fast. It disappeared in a couple of days and they were fine. That doesn't sound like the same thing though... they didn't have any holes in their feet. I hope you figure it out.

Tia

 

[Goat_Walker]

These ducklings are a week old and were hatched from my Buff/magpie/cayuga eggs. The holes are just...there. no swelling no bleeding no infection. They just shjowed up - perfectly round.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

Quote:
That happened to some of our ducklings and I found a piece of wire sticking up in their brooder.....

 

[GrannySue]

Something like that happened to one of my 2 or 3 week old runners, only it was her bill. Icky at the time, quite a bit of blood. I thought my dog might have bitten through the cage bars but now I think it was a sharp piece of wire in the cage, even though I can't feel where. She's fine now. Of course the bill hasn't grown back but she can eat, drink, quack etc. I think it gives her character!