Ducklings with deformd beaks and scabby feet

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Green Rosie	Ducklings with deformd beaks and scabby feet 7 of my Muscovy ducklings have deformed beaks and varying degrees of scabby feet. Their beaks are also scabby. 2 others from the same hatch have neither beak or feet problems. Has anyone come across this before or have any ideas what may be the cause?
Nick	I think it's caused by rabbits nearby.
Bodger	If they were born with beaks like that, then i think its a genetic problem. I'd consider bumping them on the head and getting a different drake in, or changing my breeding stock completely. Its a great shame and very much a new one on me.
Green Rosie	I'm now ignoring you Nick sigh
Green Rosie	If they were born with beaks like that, then i think its a genetic problem. I'd consider bumping them on the head and getting a different drake in, or changing my breeding stock completely. Its a great shame and very much a new one on me.

My duck has had several broods with this male without any problems - last year she had a low hatch rate but this year all 13 were fertile. 2 failed to get out of the eggs, one died on day one (possibly squashed) and one drowned. The deformed ones are growing, although not as fast as the 2 non-deformed ones. Google has been no help and this is very odd. I would be loathe to change my adults if this was a one off or something preventable but I am at a loss to know the cause.

Shan

It can also relate to incubation temp being too high or humidity too low during development; insufficient rotation of the eggs; etc

TTouch Homestead

I had a gosling with something similar with the bill, but not the feet. Lost him last night, so think there were other probs not just a wonky bill. I have read to that it is related to temperatures during incubation, large fluctuations.

Green Rosie

They were hatched under Mum and the weather was certainly very cold so temperature fluctuations are a possibility. Doesn't explain the feet though.

Now wondering whether to keep them and see how they do or cull them. If they all had it I could possibly encourage Mum to go back broody again but this is less likely if she still has the 2 healthy ones.

Lorrainelovesplants

It appears to be a big bird - Im assuming it can eat alright?
I think if it appears to be managing then you'll have to chalk it up to something unusual, but personally Id not keep for breeding, and id be reluctant to continue breeding with the parents.
Never heard of this before.

Green Rosie

It's about 6 weeks old - I first noticed the beaks a couple of weeks ago but they do appear to have got worse and all the ducklings with the deformed beaks are smaller than the 2 with normal beaks. I watched them eat their maize last night and they turn their heads sideways to grab the food. I have no idea how long they have had the scaly feet as they are on long grass and it's not easy to see their feet. It was only when a couple of them went into a pen with short grass that I noticed the scabs.

My worry is they are only going to get worse and die anyway which equates to a loss of feed and leaves it later for Mum to possibly come back into lay. I suppose I could separate them all off from Mum despite not being fully feathered up and see if she will start another brood. That way I will have the chance to see if this happens again. If she hatches a normal brood I can most likely put it down to temperature fluctuations - if she doesn't then it is most likely one or other of the parents.

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