Hi! I have a Pekin duck, and his beak is peeling/cracking - mostly up around his nose area. Is this normal? If not, what can be done to help him? Thanks!

-- Holly (bosleth@usa.net), March 16, 2002

Answers

Nope, it's not normal at all. Sounds like it might be a fungus problem. Get to the vet or farmers supply store and ask for an ointment to treat fungus. Probably will cost $10 to $15 for a tube of the stuff. Wash the beak well, rinse well and apply the ointment at least twice a day. If it is a fungus, you should see a difference in 3 or 4 days.

Clean and disinfect the cage well and if the duck swims in something other than a pond, then clean and disinfect that well also. This stuff can spread to other birds, so get it stopped in this one fast. The beak will rot off this isn't stopped quickly and the bird will starve because beaks don't grow back.

Good luck and please let me know how this comes out.

-- Carol - in Virginia (carollm@rockbridge.net), March 17, 2002.