We lost two girls to a predator that was getting into the coop and we couldn't figure out how. About 2 weeks apart. A few days after the last bird was killed, I check the coop and my rooster's face was TORN UP. He was bloody, just on his face. I saw where the struggle had occurred, and it actually led me to the place where the predator (I think possum, we caught it later) was getting in and I was able to reinforce it. Bless my Kermit boy, he defended his flock (two other roosters oblivious) and prevented a third death. But in the process his beak got messed up.
I could tell that it was sitting back a little bit farther than usual when I found him. I assumed his jaw was broken or something since I separated since the girls were pecking at the blood dripping. He healed up and I put him back in (which insantly knocked him down to bottom roo.)
It's been about a month and I noticed that his top beak has broken almost all the way off! He has lost weight, but he still acts normal and eats, although not off the ground. He eats from a deeper feeder, kinda like our cross beak girl. He is a lot calmer after the attack, and always comes up and eats from the bucket when I take it in there, I guess because it's easier for him.
I need to get a pic. Does this have any chance of growing back? Is it terribly painful to him? It doesn't look like a "debeaking" that the battery birds have......more like a dogs toe nail that has been pulled out. Almost looks like a "quick" is left there.
I feel awful for my boy, but he seems to be getting around ok. And although he IS thinner, he's not emaciated.
I could tell that it was sitting back a little bit farther than usual when I found him. I assumed his jaw was broken or something since I separated since the girls were pecking at the blood dripping. He healed up and I put him back in (which insantly knocked him down to bottom roo.)
It's been about a month and I noticed that his top beak has broken almost all the way off! He has lost weight, but he still acts normal and eats, although not off the ground. He eats from a deeper feeder, kinda like our cross beak girl. He is a lot calmer after the attack, and always comes up and eats from the bucket when I take it in there, I guess because it's easier for him.
I need to get a pic. Does this have any chance of growing back? Is it terribly painful to him? It doesn't look like a "debeaking" that the battery birds have......more like a dogs toe nail that has been pulled out. Almost looks like a "quick" is left there.
I feel awful for my boy, but he seems to be getting around ok. And although he IS thinner, he's not emaciated.