cracked beak

[henstooth]

howdy: i'm new at chickens, and very puzzled. today i was holding my 18 week old black australorp pullet, and noticed that her beak looked a little funny. i thought "cross-beak", then took a closer look. It's actually cracked! she shares her coop with three other pullets and a one roo, all the same age. roo is getting amorous, girls are very stand-offish. so here's my questions: how could a beak become damaged like this? how do i treat it? will it mend? thanks!

 

[SussexInSeattle]

I think you will have to post pictures in order to get a proper reply.

 

[AngelzFyre]

First off... WELCOME!

The beak could've been damaged by fighting or by hitting it on something at just the right point.
It should mend if the crack's not too deep.
You can always try something that works on finger nails when they are broken and that's cutting a square or piece to fit out of a tea bag and then using that Artificial Nail Glue(it's like Super Glue) to adhere it to the cracked place so it holds it in place. Be very careful to only get it soaked on the tea bag and to make sure it doesn't glue her beak closed or her tongue or your fingers to her beak by holding the cracked part of the beak tightly together when applied for a few seconds and making sure it doesn't drip or run. I'd wear latex or plastic gloves just to be on the safe side.

If it's just a small piece cracked off like a hang nail you could use an emory board to even it off.
Hope this will help and if anyone thinks the nail glue is not a good thing please say! I've used it on my dog's nails when they got broken from getting caught on stuff outside, but not my chickens. Thanks!

Randi Lynn