Beaks - dry and cracking

[HopefulHens]

Hi! My hens are approximately 14 weeks old. I have 3 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Plymouth Blue. Yesterday they were startled by a Fox and did a lot of panicking in their run. During the melee, one hen hurt her beak and was bleeding a bit. I cleaned up the blood and it is better today. I noticed that the BO’s beaks are dry and cracked. Any thoughts on what this is? Is it just a normal beak? Is it a deficiency? I have attached some pictures. Thank you!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hi! My hens are approximately 14 weeks old. I have 3 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Plymouth Blue. Yesterday they were startled by a Fox and did a lot of panicking in their run. During the melee, one hen hurt her beak and was bleeding a bit. I cleaned up the blood and it is better today. I noticed that the BO’s beaks are dry and cracked. Any thoughts on what this is? Is it just a normal beak? Is it a deficiency? I have attached some pictures. Thank you!

They look like injuries.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I’d say it’s an injury too. Beaks are like the same material as finger nails. They typically recover from an injury but they may not heal normally either. You can keep it moist with a saline solution or wound cleaning spray. Not sure there is a whole lot more you can do for this particular beak injury.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I’d say it’s an injury too. Beaks are like the same material as finger nails. They typically recover from an injury but they may not heal normally either. You can keep it moist with a saline solution or wound cleaning spray. Not sure there is a whole lot more you can do for this particular beak injury.

Triple Antibiotic ointment would help keep it moist too.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Triple Antibiotic ointment would help keep it moist too.

Yes that is a good point. I usually use ointments when I can’t cover the injury.