Broken Beak? Please advise

[Peeper7]

I know I need pics here, but last night I noticed one of my 6 wk old EE pullets had what looked like a twisted beak. I thought, now how could I have missed that for 6 weeks???
On closer look it appears that the top beak was tweaked to the side and appeared broken right up by the nostrils. Like it got stuck in something like the nifty water bottles I thought were such a great idea?

I tried to gently push it back to center but it hurt so I stopped. I can't imagine how to splint it without taping the beak closed. She might adapt as long as she can eat and drink, but if it can be corrected somehow -- hope you can help!

Anyone ever seen this? Thanks all!!

 

[teach1rusl]

My stomach turned when I read your problem...poor thing! I would do a search on "broken beaks." But first I would separate the hurt chick so that it's easier to see if it's able to eat and drink right now. Hopefully someone with experience will chime in. I sure hope it's "fixable" so that it doesn't have to be culled...

 

[SillyChicken]

Is it broken and hanging there? What about a drop of Super glue to hold it in place?

 

[Peeper7]

It's not hanging there. It is firmly in place like it grew that way. There are pictures of chickens with twisted beaks that were born that way and they do alright if it's not too bad.
There appears to be a small crack at the base of the beak-- imagine snapping a popsicle stick but only a tiny bit.
It's very hard for me to make time to take and upload pictures.

It must hurt because it is right in the "quick" of the beak. I'll work with her more when I get home.
will do a search., good idea, thanks!

 

[teach1rusl]

Okay...so you may be talking about cross beak...and she got injured additionally. The crack should heal. But I would still separate her for a few days to see if she's able to eat and drink properly. Some cross beaks are kind of minor, but some are really bad, and they can't eat or drink properly, just enough to slowly starve to death. So you'll want to really make sure that's she's able to do both well. And the only way to really keep up with that is by separating her... You can do a search on "cross beak" to see if that's it.

 

[Peeper7]

Cross Beak is exactly what it looks like but she did not hatch that way. There is blood at the crack. She is eating and drinking -- so I won't tell her she is "different" than the other kids...... I'm sure it will heal but I wish I could straighten it before hand. Oh well...

I did a search on broken beaks and it seems like those cases are worse than mine -- Broken OFF beaks from fighting? how would that happen?