Ever had a chicken lose the upper 1/3 of her beak?

[chickadee2]

Our 10 month old barred rock has lost the 1/3 of her upper beak. She is in a pen with 3 others. The pen is 12x12 with a separate coop. So they are not crowded. I can not imagine how this could have happened. I noticed that she was not rushing with her food like the other chickens. I have started feeding yogurt soaked whole wheat bread in additional to the other scraps. they also get crumbles all the time and scratch once in the morning. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[mtnhomechick]

This happened to one of mine last summer. I assumed she broke it on the hardware wire but I really don't know for sure. Anyway, we were very concerned but she ate fine and it grew back fast.......like within a month.

I have seen others post this problem with the same result. It will grow back. Can she eat regular food? Mine could still eat her own food.

Good Luck,

Mary

 

[chickadee2]

Thanks so much for the reply. After reading about baby chicks that have their beaks clipped, I was afraid that it would not grow back. You have eased my mind. She acts like she is eating, but comes over to me making little noises when the other 3 are still working on the food.

 

[mtnhomechick]

Quote:
Yes, I understand. Mine actually whimpered. We even tried gluing it back with super glue since hers was ripped and 90% off. It didn't work and she lost the tip about a third of the way up. It hurts them but what can you do? She will recover fast.

 

[chickadee2]

Many, Many thanks. I adore the chickens and especially this one. She has always been the most affectionate.

 

[marionsimeri]

i have a girl that lost part of her upper beek by flying into the hardware wire fence. She had problems eating for a few months. I had to cut the grass into small pieces since she could not plug pieces off herself. With a little extra love and help she grew into a big girl and her beek is perfect again. By the way her name is now "BEEKY"

 

[Judy]

Do you have a metal feeder? Some of them have a sharp edge just inside the hole, and some others on here have had beak injuries from this. This kind of thing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-FARM-GA...in_0?hash=item5ad2a90ad1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Some are also round.

If not, hardware cloth is a likely culprit.

 

[chickadee2]

we have both hardware cloth and a metal hanging feeder. I will check the feeder for sharp edges. Many Thanks

 

[Jenski]

When my girl injured her upper beak, I provided a second feeder with "mush" I made by mixing water with their crumble. They loved their daily treat, it was easy on the injured girl's beak, and it encouraged her to keep eating.

If you do offer soft, moistened food be sure to change it out every day. Damp chicken feed does mold very quickly - - in as little as two days here in the south.

Good luck with your girl!

 

[chickadee2]

Thanks, that sounds easier than bread bits and yogurt.