Strange bump on duck? Please help. I’m new.

[AzDuck]

This bump is on our 8 day old blue runner male duckling. He is by far the biggest in our flock of 5. Is this just his oil gland? Is there supposed to be black on it? He keeps preening/pulling at it.

I’m sorry if this is a silly question, we are new parents and want to make sure there isn’t anything weird going on.

 

[AzDuck]

An extra close up view. Significant other says sorry about his bad fingernails

 

[Isaac 0]

That is the oil gland.

 

[Jpat]

That's a realy cute duckling! And yeah that's the oil gland

Daily baths in warm water with help them preen and get the oil gland flowing properly. Daily baths are great for overall health

 

[AzDuck]

That's a realy cute duckling! And yeah that's the oil gland

Daily baths in warm water with help them preen and get the oil gland flowing properly. Daily baths are great for overall health

Thank you! We definitely think he’s a cutie.

Does it matter that they’re only 8 days old? I know they have to stay warm, but is it okay to just give a warm bath (where their feet can touch the bottom of the bin) and place back in the warm brooder? They don’t love the whole getting dried off with a washcloth thing and when I’m done it doesn’t feel like it has dried them all that well. Lol.

 

[Knighstar679]

Just pat dry and put them back in the brooder. I usually start my ducklings at 2-3 days old. Just make sure it is warm and you pay them dry.