Chicken swallowed own beak

[Stablecoop]

Just sharing a WILD story from today. We were re-integrating some birds back into our flock (one was in house recovering from bad winter molt and feather pecking) and there were a few light squabbles. We put the hospital hen in with 2 friends in side by side see-only coops. When they were gently reintroduced, there were a couple light squabbles, nothing worth breaking up. I looked after one of our birds abruptly ducked out of the squabble and it appeared that her top beak had been completely amputated!! It was completely gone. We grabbed her and were ready to put her down. Walked over to the place to get it done, loppers in hand, and I wanted to see the point of amputation, but I couldn’t find it. The top beak was just missing. No blood on face, light scratch on wattle, until I realized her entire top beak was down her throat. I retracted it out, and wa-la, she was fine. She Ate like a starving artist, and drank. Seriously it was the most roller coaster 5 minutes of my week. All fighting ceased from that point on. It was like siblings fighting but when someone breaks the coffee table everyone knows it went too far. Omg. What a day.

 

[Ais]

Whoa.

 

[topochico225]

Just sharing a WILD story from today. We were re-integrating some birds back into our flock (one was in house recovering from bad winter molt and feather pecking) and there were a few light squabbles. We put the hospital hen in with 2 friends in side by side see-only coops. When they were gently reintroduced, there were a couple light squabbles, nothing worth breaking up. I looked after one of our birds abruptly ducked out of the squabble and it appeared that her top beak had been completely amputated!! It was completely gone. We grabbed her and were ready to put her down. Walked over to the place to get it done, loppers in hand, and I wanted to see the point of amputation, but I couldn’t find it. The top beak was just missing. No blood on face, light scratch on wattle, until I realized her entire top beak was down her throat. I retracted it out, and wa-la, she was fine. She Ate like a starving artist, and drank. Seriously it was the most roller coaster 5 minutes of my week. All fighting ceased from that point on. It was like siblings fighting but when someone breaks the coffee table everyone knows it went too far. Omg. What a day.

Holy wow. You got pics?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Well that's one for the books. Not sure what kind of book, but wow! Happy to hear all is well

 

[Weeg]

Confused, how exactly does that work? Was the beak bend backwards into her throat? I'm having a hard time visualizing this.

 

[Stablecoop]

Whoa.

It was truly unbelievable. I still can’t believe it.

 

[Stablecoop]

Confused, how exactly does that work? Was the beak bend backwards into her throat? I'm having a hard time visualizing this.

The head must have been pushed back and then stomped on, and the top beak went down the throat. It was seriously like the x files. I should have taken a pic but we were about to put her down and it all literally happened in the space of less than 5 minutes. I had to pull her head back and up at the same time and the whole top beak came out.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I'd say she's deficient a certain nutrient. It might happen again. @Wyorp Rock might be better at telling what nutrient she needs.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

How did y'all get it out of her throat? Did you actually hold the beak between your fingers? Was it still attached to her face? How on earth did you manage to open her mouth and keep it open while you stuck your fingers down her throat? I'm not trying to imply you're a liar, just trying to understand.

 

[Stablecoop]

The head must have been pushed back and then stomped on, and the top beak went down the throat. It was seriously like the x files. I should have taken a pic but we were about to put her down and it all literally happened in the space of less than 5 minutes. I had to pull her head back and up at the same time and the whole top beak came out.

I also was worried it must have dislocated or broken but nope. Full range of motion, not even a scratch on the beak, no swelling, eating like a pirate. I have zero idea how she was breathing. Zero.