Chipped/Broken Beak?

[Obiwan Henobi]

I just noticed this this evening while cleaning the coop. It apparently happened last night or sometime during the day today. I've not seen this before. Is this a broken beak? Is it chipped? Is there anything I can do to treat it or would it be better to leave alone? Will this eventually heal?

 

[GodLovesU]

I believe it is chipped, but yes it will grow back.

 

[2ndTink]

You can feed her mash for a few days to be sure she isn't avoiding eating because it's tender.

 

[Obiwan Henobi]

I believe it is chipped, but yes it will grow back.

Okay--thanks. I've separated her from the others, treated the area with vetericyn spray and antibiotic ointment. I also have made up some mash for her since it looked like she was having trouble eating her regular feed.

 

[Obiwan Henobi]

You can feed her mash for a few days to be sure she isn't avoiding eating because it's tender.

Thanks. I noticed that she was approaching her regular feed rather gingerly, so I did prepare a mash for her and she pecked at that a little bit. She's separated from the others in her own "hospital" room.

 

[2ndTink]

Excellent, it will take a bit to fully grow back out but she will likely get comfortable eating regular feed in a few days to a week or so (although I'm sure she'd LOVE getting mash until she's fully healed )

I had one a lot worse than this and she was back to eating regular feed the next day but I made sure she had daily mash in case she was behind in feed intake and also deep feed dishes so she wouldn't bonk her beak against anything solid when she was trying to eat. It was crazy as it didn't seem to phase her after that first day.

 

[Obiwan Henobi]

Excellent, it will take a bit to fully grow back out but she will likely get comfortable eating regular feed in a few days to a week or so (although I'm sure she'd LOVE getting mash until she's fully healed )

I had one a lot worse than this and she was back to eating regular feed the next day but I made sure she had daily mash in case she was behind in feed intake and also deep feed dishes so she wouldn't bonk her beak against anything solid when she was trying to eat. It was crazy as it didn't seem to phase her after that first day.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I just got her set up a little while ago and she seems settled in nicely. How long was it before your hen's beak grown back?

 

[2ndTink]

She's still working on it, she's maybe 1/3 the way grown out and it's been about 10 weeks, but her's was really bad, like the whole top beak. No clue how it happened either, I went out one morning and it was just gone thankfully not much blood at all, I've been having to file her bottom beak to help keep its proper shape and she's about to where I'll need to help shape the top beak too. Your's I don't think you'll have those problems, but just keep an eye on it to be sure she doesn't need a little beak shaping assistance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I just noticed this this evening while cleaning the coop. It apparently happened last night or sometime during the day today. I've not seen this before. Is this a broken beak? Is it chipped? Is there anything I can do to treat it or would it be better to leave alone? Will this eventually heal?

Okay--thanks. I've separated her from the others, treated the area with vetericyn spray and antibiotic ointment. I also have made up some mash for her since it looked like she was having trouble eating her regular feed.

I'd leave her with her flock unless she's getting picked on. Being separated out for a few days, she'll likely have to be re-integrated.

The chip is relatively minor and the exposed quick will harden up in a couple of days. Provide her with a little wet mushy feed if you wish, see that she's eating/drinking well. All the chicks can have wet feed, they'll think it's a treat.