Baby chick missing bottom beak

[4chickns]

Obviously I know it will not grow a new beak, I did not come here asking silly questions, I also know her odds are not the best, I just wanted to know if anyone had seen this before and what the outcome was, and see what advice could be given so we could give her the best chance she has of figuring this out. In nearly 9 years of chicken keeping we have never had a chick born with a defect or any issues at all, so we consider ourselves lucky. We will use the wonderful advice given and see how she does in the next day or two. I greatly appreciate the responses and will keep you posted.

 

[PirateGirl]

I agree with @azygous on this one. It's a matter of time will tell if this chick is able to eat and drink on its own with this beak deformity. Moist food is simple enough and if the bird has to eat moist food for life it isn't really a big deal. If the bird can't even take in water on its own, that's going to be a problem long term. This little cutie certainly has the will, hopefully it can figure out a way to get the nutrition it needs. Keep us updated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Isn't she cute

The photo at the water answered a question I was going to ask - does she have a tongue(?) I can see that clearly now.

She does seem to be trying, so I would at least see if she can eat the wet chick starter. If she can get enough fluids and stay hydrated on her own she might have a chance - you just never know with chickens.

If you don't mind, please keep us posted on how she does one way or the other. Personally, I would be interested to know.

There's a couple of hens here on BYC that have survived with basically not much beak left after injury, but these were older and not quite so fragile as this sweet baby.

warning graphic photos in thread (if you look at the first photos, then skip out to page 48 you can see Miss Fuzzy Bums beak very well - I've always found this thread inspirational as to what a chicken can overcome with some love and help) phttps://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/plese-help-chickens-beak-got-bit-off.848424/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-has-no-beak.73534/

 

[azygous]

Obviously I know it will not grow a new beak, I did not come here asking silly questions, I also know her odds are not the best, I just wanted to know if anyone had seen this before and what the outcome was, and see what advice could be given so we could give her the best chance she has of figuring this out. In nearly 9 years of chicken keeping we have never had a chick born with a defect or any issues at all, so we consider ourselves lucky. We will use the wonderful advice given and see how she does in the next day or two. I greatly appreciate the responses and will keep you posted.

Please do not take offense at my comment about the beak being a "feature". I was pointing it out to all of the other commenters in the spirit of helpfulness since they were offering advice that, while compassionate in the short term, is not practical over the long term.

Your thread will be read by hundreds, if not thousands, of people for many years to come. It's much more than a conversation we're having in the moment. The information in your thread will inform many, many others.

 

[4chickns]

Update: she is still full of energy this morning, and though it's hard to believe, it looks like she's actually eating. She has no inferest in the wet mush but she pecks at the dry food like crazy and it looks like she's actually swallowing. She hatched Friday afternoon, we have not intervened, so I would think her energy level later today should tell us a lot, is that correct? I'm going to try to take a video later of her eating so I can slow it down and see how she's actually picking up the food.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: she is still full of energy this morning, and though it's hard to believe, it looks like she's actually eating. She has no inferest in the wet mush but she pecks at the dry food like crazy and it looks like she's actually swallowing. She hatched Friday afternoon, we have not intervened, so I would think her energy level later today should tell us a lot, is that correct? I'm going to try to take a video later of her eating so I can slow it down and see how she's actually picking up the food.

Looking forward to the video

Another thing you can try if you have a postal scale is to weigh her daily to see if she's gaining weight. Just a thought.

 

[4chickns]

Looking forward to the video

Another thing you can try if you have a postal scale is to weigh her daily to see if she's gaining weight. Just a thought.

Yes, thank you! I do have one, I should have thought of that!

 

[sourland]

I have subscribed to see how the chick does.

 

[song of joy]

This type of defect will also affect the bird's ability to preen, which has its own set of health issues.

 

[ThatParrotLady]

Suggestion when she's older:

Wait until she's full grown and speak to a vet about a small plastic beak to install. Plastic will last her about her life time and being that she's not a massive bird it shouldn't be too hard to install as long as she's got some kind of bottom base to stick to (It looked like she had a tiny bit of lower jaw but not alot)