Chicken tried to hang herself. Need some advice

[awesomefowl]

To tell you the truth, I would euthanize her. It sounds like she is in trouble and it might be better to put her down.

That said, you may be able to work something out, if you are willing to put some work into it....I feel so bad for the poor hen! Maybe you should try duct tape on her beak?

 

[LoneCowboy]

It's just the soft part of the under beak. I tried duct tape, didn't seem to stay on very long. Tried some other tapes but they weren't sticky enough. I hate to cull her, she did survive being hung, I got to give her credit for that and killing her wouldn't be much credit. I'll have to try the finger nail thing I guess. The lower beak is so narrow I'm not sure what I'll get to fix it.

 

[EweSheep]

Have you tried moleskin? I know it will pull it off rather harder than duct tape but worth a try.

 

[tammye]

she may figure out how to deal with it. She could get food in by blocking the hole with her tongue and may be able to get water in by lifting up her beak to swallow, sure hope so. good luck patching her up, I hope she makes it.

 

[yankeedoodle300]

How big is the hole? Would a fake fingernail cover it? If it would, you could glue that to her beak around the edges

I like that idea, but never tried it... You should go to a vet. Good Luck with her. ( And Try to upload a Pic )

 

[Abirdbrain]

If its the fleshy part under the beak, it will heal. if it is the hard beak istelf, I would try gluing a fake nail peice to it. Otherwise, cull for dinner, before she weakens, and drifts away.

sorry for the mishap, Things happen all the time with birds that think with a birdbrain.

 

[dirtsaver]

This might sound odd,but maybe some QuikSteel epoxy putty? It sets up really quickly even underwater,and is easy to shape into whatever size and dimension that's needed Not sure about the toxicity,but we used it to seal a crack on our fishpond with no harm to the fish.Just a thought....Good Luck.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

I wished you live closer. I love solving animal problems! I was thinking about this all yesterday. Epoxy goes on a little thicker so you'd be able to make sure none went in her mouth. I'd hate for you to have to cull her just for this, but I understand that might be best. =0( Let us know. You are brave for trying.

 

[EweSheep]

Just a wild thought! How about false dentures sealants? If it is safe for humans, it has to be safe for chickens! (not always)

 

[LoneCowboy]

I thought of the denture sealant and that might be a good idea.

I'm going to try a little piece of aluminum. I know, sounds weird, but it's a piece of roof flashing and it forms really easily. I tried to make it as close to the shape of her beak as I could remember. A friend is coming over to hold her upside down so I can fit it and glue it on. Keep your fingers crossed that this works.

I might sit and feed her with a syringe after I do it to take her mind off it long enough for her to forget it.

I'm having housing issues since all my good extra cages are filled with broody's and the hospital coop is full of babies. I have one cage left and I put her in that and tied it to the wagon. I'll have to roll her into the garage at night since it's not secure enough to leave it out.

Thanks for all the good ideas. I'll let you know how it turns out.