Chicken w/Exposed Quick of Toenail

[eflemin]

Hello!
My hen managed to get her toenail caught on a shelf and, while trying to get loose, completely ripped off her toenail, leaving only the quick of her nail remaining. There was very little blood and she didn't break or cut the quick or have any other injuries. She is walking more gingerly on that foot, holding it up, and laying down more and the exposed quick of her nail is clearly sensitive. I have cleaned the toenail and foot and applied disinfectant and Vetericyn Plus. I tried putting a gauze around the toe, but the hen was not a fan and ripped it off. Is there anything else I should be doing? Any ideas on the healing process?
(Needless to say, the shelf has been permanently removed)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Ouch! The toe will be sensitive for a few days. I generally just leave it alone and monitor it. After a couple of days it will harden up and she should be fine. Sounds like she's limiting activity and protecting it well.

 

[CalBickieMomma]

What @Wyorp Rock said. My Gretchen just did something similar today - noticed she was limping very mildly and upon further inspection saw the tip of her toenail had broken off. My Junie has done this with her beak, too (and they both acted extra needy when it happened - sitting in my lap longer and more readily than usual). I put antibiotic ointment on Gretchen’s toe (though not sure if it’ll help since their run is all sand), and will just keep an eye on it and give her extra wuvvies . Good luck!

 

[alynnc712]

Hi. This just happened to one of my chickens. Did everyone's chickens above heal well? Did you end up separating your chicken for a long time? Thanks for your help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi. This just happened to one of my chickens. Did everyone's chickens above heal well? Did you end up separating your chicken for a long time? Thanks for your help.

Welcome To BYC!

The OP (Original Poster) only made the one post with no reply, so I'm not sure if they will see your request or not.

If you have photos of the injury, we'll be glad to make suggestions. Generally a broken/torn nail, I don't separate a bird at all and usually don't even treat it, depending on what it looks like.

 

[alynnc712]

Thanks! Here are some pictures I got this morning. She broke the tip off on Tuesday, but today (Friday), there was some dried blood on a new spot like more of the top nail came off.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks! Here are some pictures I got this morning. She broke the tip off on Tuesday, but today (Friday), there was some dried blood on a new spot like more of the top nail came off.

It does look like the nail came off. It will be tender for a few days, but she should fine.

 

[Megantheeaccountant]

Does anyone know if the nail will grow back? This happened to our Trixie today.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Does anyone know if the nail will grow back? This happened to our Trixie today.

Welcome To BYC

If you have photos you wish to share that would be good.

A nail like in the photo posted by the OP (posts #1 and #6) generally will grow back. With the quick exposed, she will be tender for a few days, but should be fine. For something minor like this, I leave the bird with the flock and just look at the toe/foot every couple of days.

 

[Megantheeaccountant]

Welcome To BYC

If you have photos you wish to share that would be good.

A nail like in the photo posted by the OP (posts #1 and #6) generally will grow back. With the quick exposed, she will be tender for a few days, but should be fine. For something minor like this, I leave the bird with the flock and just look at the toe/foot every couple of days.

Thank you for your reply. I didn’t get a picture before we wrapped her toe up. It’s pretty much the same injury as the bird in the pictures. She still has the quick just no nail. I’m happy to hear her nail may grow back.