Cockerel lost half his beak

[docdubz]

One of the cockerels in my bachelor flock lost half his beak. Im not sure if this happened today or yesterday. The bachelor flock are all very violent birds so I'm assuming it was from fighting, but could something else have caused this?

 

[MysteryChicken]

That's the outer layer of the beak. It should grow back.

 

[Shezadandy]

It looks to already be healing itself. As for what caused it, sometimes running into a fence - that kind of thing can do it. Hard to know.

 

[docdubz]

It looks to already be healing itself. As for what caused it, sometimes running into a fence - that kind of thing can do it. Hard to know.

After I posted this thread I saw one of the other cockerls get grabbed and body slammed by his beak. So, I'm thinking that's what did it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

One of the cockerels in my bachelor flock lost half his beak. Im not sure if this happened today or yesterday. The bachelor flock are all very violent birds so I'm assuming it was from fighting, but could something else have caused this?

After I posted this thread I saw one of the other cockerls get grabbed and body slammed by his beak. So, I'm thinking that's what did it.

Agree, it looks like it's healing.

Sounds like the bachelor flock thing isn't working out too well if they are fighting a lot.
Consider separate pens and thinning out how many birds you have.

 

[Shezadandy]

Agree, it looks like it's healing.

Sounds like the bachelor flock thing isn't working out too well if they are fighting a lot.
Consider separate pens and thinning out how many birds you have.

Agree completely- that kind of fighting in a bachelor flock (or any other flock) is not normal. Personally I would repurpose them for soup and find a different line of your desired breed that doesn't display that kind of aggression.

 

[hysop]

If they're fighting they probably see females nearby. To keep a bachelor flock try to keep the girls out of sight from them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If they're fighting they probably see females nearby. To keep a bachelor flock try to keep the girls out of sight from them.

Roosters don't have to have females nearby to fight. If in a bachelor pen, that's reason enough LOL

 

[hysop]

Roosters don't have to have females nearby to fight. If in a bachelor pen, that's reason enough LOL

Really? I was told they get along if there’s no females nearby. Kinda like guys just being friends with no girls in sight. Sure a small fight here and there to show whose boss but not to the point of injury?! But I guess I learned something new.