5 yr. Hen injured, now has dislocated beak

[slukeplass22]

So my 5 year old Easter Egger was picked up by my mother about 2.5 ft. above the ground before she fidgeted and tumbled out of her arms, and landed on her back in the grass and rolled over onto her feet. I examined her face and neck area and she seemed perfectly fine - no signs of injury as far as I could tell. She just seemed (understandably) tired from the fall.

So I left for an hour before coming back and now her beak is misaligned - like a minor case of scissor/crossed beak. She's always had a normal beak all her life until now.

What exactly happened, and what should I do? All I know of is giving her vitamins and protein to help her cope, but since this is an injury and not a genetic problem I can't seem to find anything. She can grab hard boiled egg yolks, but she can't grab the whites - so I know this is affecting her ability to eat.

I had also trimmed her top beak a few days ago as it was a bit long, and flat on the end (not pointed). Right now her top beak is a bit shorter than normal and flat still. I'm hoping she hones it into a pointed beak this time.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chicken. It would be ideal if you could see an avian vet. Here is an older thread that has several links to other threads about a dislocated beak:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broken-dislocated-jaw.1304549/

 

[Eggcessive]

I am really sorry, but I hope that others will offer assistance. Here are some articles to read in the meantime:
https://www.petmd.com/bird/conditions/traumatic/broken-and-injured-beak-birds

https://www.beautyofbirds.com/brokenbeaks.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-with-broken-lower-jaw-beak.1048583/

 

[Eggcessive]

I would just make sure that she has access to soft or mushy food. Add water to many things, even chopped eggs to get more into her until you see her drinking normally. The pain may be a problem, but hopefully, she will get better. Aspirin 81 mg twice a day could help with pain, or you can put 325 mg in 8 ounces of water daily. I don’t think I would massage or try to maneuver her jaw and put vet wrap on it. I would see how she gets along with the injury if you are unable to find an avian vet, and then go from there. She may survive, or you may need to put her down if she cannot eat or starts to lose a lot of weight.

 

[slukeplass22]

Can you get a photo of her from the side?
Have you noticed if she has anything inside the beak like a crusty buildup?

Here are images. One from each side. I’ll check her again this evening. Nothing crusty looking except for the dried feed stuff on the outside. There’s some wet food inside her mouth.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you can get a weight on her by holding her on some scales and substracting your own weight, or by using an inexpensive kitchen scales, you can monitor her for any weight loss. She looks pretty good in the pics, so I hope she gets better with your good care. You might need to check her beak occasionally to wipe any stuck food away with a QTip if it sticks there.

 

[slukeplass22]

UPDATE: She’s doing good right now. I think her beak is starting to re-align and she’s drinking like her non-injured friends do (beak motions are the same). She prefers to drink from an empty watermelon rhind, but that’s probably because her head is wide. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing to ensure a strong recovery and update if anything important takes place.

 

[slukeplass22]

UPDATE: She’s basically acting normal at this point and is drinking out of the waterer. Her beak’s grip is almost normal now (I feed the egg mash from my hand, otherwise she ignores it. She grabs my skin a lot.) so I think she’s gonna be just fine.

Thanks for all the help and have a nice day.

God bless.

 

[cheekychick3]

Hi, sorry this happened to your lovely girl. I cannot help you in regards of
her beak. Bless her. But someone on here will reply soon to help you, i am sure.
You say, she has trouble with whites of egg. Maybe try her with boiled eggs and
put them through a blender, with a little plain yogurt, and add some fresh chopped
herbs with it. Parsley is good ect. Tuna too, whatever you feel is good for her. And
what she likes. If you put all her food through blender, it may help her, as then it will
be soft, and easier to grab it. At least you know then she is getting the vitamins and
protein, until you get help for her beak issue. Someone on here will help you soon.
Good luck.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you get a photo of her from the side?
Have you noticed if she has anything inside the beak like a crusty buildup?