Cracked beak please help!

[Nerds]

Came outside today to find my favorite girl with a nasty looking crack in her beak. We have two other young chickens housed with her.

It looks like only the outer layer of the beak is broken and it had slid up a little bit from where it originally was. One side is cracked all the way and the other side is just barely still attached. I touched it very gently and it won't move.

I'm fairly sure this happened today. She won't eat her food or her favorite scratch. I'm getting ready to make her some scrambled eggs and I'm going to give her a little nutri-drench. I'm also going to look up the aspirin dosage and dose their water.

Should I wash it with saline? Does she need antibiotics? Any help and suggestions are much appreciated as I'm freaking out a little right now. Why does this always happen to the favorite??

 

[Nerds]

I could try calling our local 24 hour animal hospital as well if you think it's dire for her to see a vet. I'm willing to deal with the cost if I have to, she's a pet.

 

[Nerds]

Update: she has eaten a small amount of scrambled eggs. Not sure if she's drinking or not, so I'm not sure if I'll dose their whole waterer with aspirin.

 

[coach723]

Here is a link to an article on repairing a broken beak. Ideally a vet is a good idea if possible, preferably an avian vet, if not possible then I'd try to repair it. Many times, unless the quick is really damaged, the beak will grow back. But repairing it, if possible will allow her to eat and drink better. Also, giving softer food (like the scrambled eggs) will be easier for her to eat. You can make a mash by mixing in water to her regular feed so it's like thick oatmeal.
This will also help with hydration some, if she has trouble drinking. Most birds like their feed made into mash.
Also raising up feeders and waterers to shoulder height so she can scoop with her lower beak, rather than peck off the ground will be easier until it heals and grows out. I would avoid giving treats on the ground that she has to try to peck up, it's also painful. Also a good idea to monitor her weight to make sure she is actually able to eat enough. Even birds who permanently lose part of a beak can live very good lives with a little help to make sure they can adequately feed and drink.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/repairing-chickens-broken-beak.html

 

[Nerds]

Here is a link to an article on repairing a broken beak. Ideally a vet is a good idea if possible, preferably an avian vet, if not possible then I'd try to repair it. Many times, unless the quick is really damaged, the beak will grow back. But repairing it, if possible will allow her to eat and drink better. Also, giving softer food (like the scrambled eggs) will be easier for her to eat. You can make a mash by mixing in water to her regular feed so it's like thick oatmeal.
This will also help with hydration some, if she has trouble drinking. Most birds like their feed made into mash.
Also raising up feeders and waterers to shoulder height so she can scoop with her lower beak, rather than peck off the ground will be easier until it heals and grows out. I would avoid giving treats on the ground that she has to try to peck up, it's also painful. Also a good idea to monitor her weight to make sure she is actually able to eat enough. Even birds who permanently lose part of a beak can live very good lives with a little help to make sure they can adequately feed and drink.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/repairing-chickens-broken-beak.html

Thanks so much for the info!

 

[Nerds]

Update: I gave her a little nutri drench and managed to give her a dose of aspirin in a little yogurt from a syringe.

Unfortunately I had to leave her for a minute to run inside and get supplies, and while I was gone she apparently rubbed or scratched at her beak and managed to knock off the cracked bit that was barely hanging on anyway. I couldn't get a pic as it was getting dark out and I was trying to be quick, but the top layer is now completely missing from the lower half of her beak. It was bleeding just slightly, but I managed to stop it with some cornstarch.

I'm letting her sleep in the coop for now, but as soon as it starts to get light out I'm going to go out and supervise her to make sure the others don't pick on her. If the bleeding is still totally stopped, I'll probably put some antibiotic ointment (without pain relief) on it as well. I'm going to make some mash for her in the morning and hopefully she'll eat!

 

[chicks are life]

I'd keep er separate the others could peck it no matter how early you get up.

X2 on the soft food nutri drench is great idea and the scrambled eggs are good too.

So that huge peice that was hanging came off?

 

[Nerds]

I'd keep er separate the others could peck it no matter how early you get up.

X2 on the soft food nutri drench is great idea and the scrambled eggs are good too.

So that huge peice that was hanging came off?

Sadly I don't really have anywhere to keep her isolated overnight tonight... plus, I think she's more comfortable sleeping in her normal place. I don't think they'll peck her as long as it's pitch dark out and they're all sleeping (hopefully).

Yeah, the large piece came off. That whole part of the beak isn't missing though, just the thin outer keratin layer. She didn't actually break the beak itself, just the outer layer.

 

[GretaGarboFirst]

Oh so sorry to hear this. How about baby food....fruit and veggie might add to her healthy diet. I bring my injured birds in and put them in a wired dog cage with some shavings and water. At night I cover it with a soft cloth to keep drafts out until the birds improve. Please keep us posted and best of luck to your special girl.

 

[Nerds]

Oh so sorry to hear this. How about baby food....fruit and veggie might add to her healthy diet. I bring my injured birds in and put them in a wired dog cage with some shavings and water. At night I cover it with a soft cloth to keep drafts out until the birds improve. Please keep us posted and best of luck to your special girl.

Thanks very much <3