We have seen slight peeling from young cygnets. It may be the skin getting too much or not enough water. As far as splayed legs, this is something that is very serious. The cygnet must be placed on a non-slick padding such as a sheet or towel (as long as he does not get tangled up to suffocate). DO not use a plastic, slick wood or tile floor or newspaper. The substrate must be firm and his entrance/exit into the water must be zero entrance. If it is too steep, or you are holding the swan incorrectly or for too long, it can develop splayed legs. This condition, if not caught immediately can be something that may not be reversed. So, if you can contact Bob and let him take over the raising of the cygnet, it will be for the best. He has other cygnets and waterfowl that the young bird can learn from and grow up as normal as possible to be a swan. THANK you for caring and taking care of the cygnet or he would not have made it this far. The Regal Swan