Beaks

[MilleFleurs]

Hi! Hi!
Yesterday when I returned home in the afternoon, I discovered that one of my week old turkeys had a "pushed in" beak, because the top half of his beak for so much smaller now. After reading other articles and online searches about beaks, all I can think is that the tip came off, but I'm worried about if it'll grow back.

Last night, I was looking in the brooder and another turkey was having the same problem, with the beak still partially attached. Is this something that I should worry about? Will it grow back?

 

[sourland]

@R2elk any idea what's happening here ?

 

[MilleFleurs]

Not too long ago I heard someone say that the farm I got the turkey's from debeaks them, but this looks like a break to me, and a different person also mentioned that this didn't look like debeaking.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like they are getting caught on something or possibly they are pecking at a hard surface?
What type of food/water containers are you using?

 

[MilleFleurs]

Looks like they are getting caught on something or possibly they are pecking at a hard surface?
What type of food/water containers are you using?

At first I had been using a metal container for water, but it was deep enough. For the food I had been using a very hard plastic, which they would peck at. After the first bird had the incident, I changed the containers to both a soft plastic material, sour cream containers.
Once I changed it, another baby was having the same problem later that night.
They are continuing to survive splendidly, they eat and drink, and peck one another as though nothing had happened.
There have been 3/5 turkeys now that have the beak problem, and I don't know what's happening.
They seem to be doing fine, but is this an injury that will grow back?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

At first I had been using a metal container for water, but it was deep enough. For the food I had been using a very hard plastic, which they would peck at. After the first bird had the incident, I changed the containers to both a soft plastic material, sour cream containers.
Once I changed it, another baby was having the same problem later that night.
They are continuing to survive splendidly, they eat and drink, and peck one another as though nothing had happened.
There have been 3/5 turkeys now that have the beak problem, and I don't know what's happening.
They seem to be doing fine, but is this an injury that will grow back?

Well I've had chicken chicks will a similar injury to the beak (see your's below) and the beak has grown out fine. That top layer is peeled, but the quick looks fairly intact to me, so that one might be o.k. Since they are young, the beaks have growing to do so chances are good for them.

That peeling off the top layer when it happened to mine, it was from either sticking the beak in wire fencing or a metal feeder. I couldn't decide which one - I had a chick feeder that I inspected and it had a sharp edge in one of the "portals" so I don't use that one. The other ones I really feel and inspect those closely - if anything will catch or feels like it will cut my fingers, then it will catch or cut beaks.

I'm glad to hear they are doing well!

 

[Trux]

When I was a young tot, my Grandpa raised turkeys back in the 60's. My Mom and I lived on the farm with them so I always got to go help Grandpa with everything. I distinctly remember my Grandpa and my uncle along with my cousins and I debeaking turkeys. It was done so they wouldn't peck each other. Now understand these are production birds, so eating is what they do to gain weight for market.
My point is they should be fine eating and drinking wise. As for why it is happening I will be watching to see cause I am curious as to why as well

 

[Trux]

Oh and even if the farm you got them from debeaks there turkeys, the poults are still born with full beaks. Not something you can do with genetics. Debeaking as far as I know it is done with a machine that has a hot blade that nips the tip off the top beak.

 

[MilleFleurs]

I want to thank you for your help. The little ones seem to be doing well, but if something were to happen, then I'll update.