Broken Beak? Please help!

[jojov]

My oldest hen has a broken beak. I'm not sure how old she is, but we've had her for about 7 years and she was already full grown when we got her. Is a broken beak a result of aging? Can I file it or something? I don't think she's having too many problems eating at this point, but the bottom half is longer than the top and I don't want her to start having a problem. Any advice?

 

[johnnyjack]

poor girl bless her heart. i dont know to much about this havent ever been through that but maybe somebody will know.good luck with her.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Check unicorns websites. She usually has very good advice.

The lower beak can be trimmed just like a finger nail. Or like a dog's nail; with care!!!

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Welcome to BYC

POOR BABY - we would have to see how bad the break is. If shes eating OK she will be fine it should grow back..
Do you know how it broke??? You did not meantion what State you are in. Frozen Water is a problem this time of year. Hens get thursty and keep pecking at the big icube in the water dish only to eventually break a beak...

Give extra Vit & Electrolites in the water for a while.

 

[jojov]

Gosh- I'm shocked at how fast I got some replies! Thank you! No, I don't know how she broke it, and I live on Long Island, NY, so yes, the water freezes outside the coop (okay, I spoil 'em- they have heat in their coop!) but I check it and change it daily and have a heated bowl, so I don't think that's it. That's why I 'm wondering if it's an age-related condition. Oh- and if I clip it like a finger nail, won't that hurt her? I keep reading about the cruel practice of de-beaking and how painful it is- I'd be scared to clip it!

 

[silkiechicken]

Be careful when clipping because if you cut too deep, it would be like cutting into the tip of your finger. There is a quick inside of the beak like a dog nail which if you cut too much it will bleed. De beaking, highly simplied, would be equivalent to cutting off and cauterizing your finger tips so that the nail was not able to grow as long.