Duck bottom beak broken and bent 90 degrees, cannot eat

[Gascker]

I don't know how but my khaki came out of the coop like this. The bottom beak is bent back and appears to be snapped in the middle, but otherwise completely attached. The bleeding has stopped, but I'm not sure of what to do to help her. At the moment she can drink but cannot eat. The local vet won't be open for some time, so I'm posting here for now. Would I be able to splint this to keep the bill in place somehow?

 

[Jessica Thompson]

If you can find a 3D printer you can print a new beak but that's all I got sorry about your duck

 

[azygous]

Yes, you can fix this. You need Vetericyn, super glue, a tea bag, and a good helper. Maybe two to hold the patient very still.

First spray with Vetericyn and be sure all dirt and debris are removed from the wound, using a Q-tip to clean out the fractured beak. Be aware that this sort of injury is very painful. You might want to administer one baby aspirin to the patient before starting. Make sure the beak is dry before continuing to the next step.

Take the tea bag and dump the tea out and toss it. Open the paper bag and cut a square piece to fit over the split beak. This will be your "splint".

Next you will super glue the paper patch to one half of the broken beak. Hold in place until it sets, about 60 seconds. Then carefully put a tiny bit of glue in the hinge of the break and on the rest of the paper patch. Bring the beak back to its proper position and smooth the paper patch over it. Hold for 60 seconds to set.

The beak will heal over the next few weeks and the paper will harmlessly wear off and fall away.

 

[Gascker]

Yes, you can fix this. You need Vetericyn, super glue, a tea bag, and a good helper. Maybe two to hold the patient very still.

First spray with Vetericyn and be sure all dirt and debris are removed from the wound, using a Q-tip to clean out the fractured beak. Be aware that this sort of injury is very painful. You might want to administer one baby aspirin to the patient before starting. Make sure the beak is dry before continuing to the next step.

Take the tea bag and dump the tea out and toss it. Open the paper bag and cut a square piece to fit over the split beak. This will be your "splint".

Next you will super glue the paper patch to one half of the broken beak. Hold in place until it sets, about 60 seconds. Then carefully put a tiny bit of glue in the hinge of the break and on the rest of the paper patch. Bring the beak back to its proper position and smooth the paper patch over it. Hold for 60 seconds to set.

The beak will heal over the next few weeks and the paper will harmlessly wear off and fall away.

Thank you, Azygous. But if I'm not mistaken, is that not a remedy for a cracked chicken beak? Will it really hold this kind of injury in place? Wouldn't it fall off when she takes a drink or washes her face?

 

[azygous]

Superglue is strong stuff. If you make sure the bond is set, the paper will act as a split to add extra strength. It's the superglue in the hinge of the beak that will hold it.

You have nothing to lose by trying it. If it fails, we'll think of something else to make it work. If it does fail, note the reason and that will allow us to find a solution that will work.

Sometimes you just have to keep trying until you get it right. Meanwhile, aspirin will help with the pain.

 

[azygous]

My brain already kicked in, and I think I know how to make the splint much stronger and rigid.

Have you ever made anything with paper mache? It's layers of paper soaked in glue that are placed one on top the other and smoothed into place and allowed to dry.

I would use several tea bags but after the first one with super glue, I would use Elmer's glue and soak the paper before applying the layers, letting each layer dry before applying the next. Use a hair dryer to hasten the drying.

This won't be water proof, but hopefully it will hold up long enough for the beak to knit back together.

 

[Gascker]

That's a good idea. However I might try several layers of tea bags saturated with super glue to make it hold when wet. I'll give it a try, thank you.

For the moment I have her beak closed shut with medical wrap, so she doesn't injure herself further. She is napping so perhaps not as distressed as I thought. I'll update on the progress later.

 

[Gascker]

So, the tea-bag mache thing was a no-go. Couldn't keep her still enough and the glue dried faster than I could apply anything. Instead I glued on a piece of plastic that I cut to shape. It's not perfect but it is keeping the beak in place well enough. But she is still adamant on hurting herself so I'm keeping her mouth wrapped tight closed for the rest of the day. I couldn't get her to eat, but was able to squirt in some water. However even drinking is painful for her, since ducks move their jaw back and forth to do so. I want to keep her wrapped long enough to make sure the wound closes sufficiently, but in doing so she can't eat or drink. Anyone have any idea how long would be alright for her?

 

[azygous]

When people break their jaws and have to have the jaw wired shut, they leave space for a straw to fit so liquid food can be taken. This may be what you'll need to do for your duck - tube feed. It sounds worse than it is. The hardest part will be finding plastic tubing. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-pics-for-visuals-very-detailed-post.805615/

 

[Gascker]

I had thought about that. Although for a duck there is no space between the bill for a tube, so I'll have to remove her wrapping and try not to damage her bill. Thanks for all the advice! I'll keep at it.