Growth on beak

[korlia]

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I recently noticed this weird growth on the side of my one chick's beak. What could it be and how do I treat it? It is hard to the touch. The chick carries on as if nothing is wrong.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

First thought is abscess. If so, I believe you poke it with a needle and stuff comes spurting out...but this may be a weird isolated case.

I'll see what I can find about it.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Here is an unresolved thread on BYC about it:



https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/494097/wart-like-growth-on-beak

From what I'm finding, I think its an abscess that should be lanced.

 

[korlia]

Thanks. I saw that thread and hers doesnt look the same. I did however took a needle and stuck it into the growth but nothing came out?
Here is another pic, hopefully its better?

 

[korlia]

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Have you tried peeling it off to see whats under it? Or is it too hard to do that? I see your pullet is quite young, so did she have this growth when you got her, or did it grow fast?

 

[korlia]

It feels hard, so no I haven't tried peeling it off. When I stuck the needle in it I could see it was sore. If I press too hard on it she starts to wiggle? One of my hens hatched her and she didn't have the growth when she hatched. We went away for a week and I noticed it after my return. It might be my imagination bit it seems to be growing bigger? She is about 8 weeks old now.

 

[korlia]

Someone said I should try applying Colloidal Silver, any input wrt that suggestion?

 

[BantamLover21]

I could be wrong, but it reminds me of something that happened to one of my hen's beak a while back. She got it scratched on something, and soon a lump grew over the scratch. It didn't seem to hurt her and there were no signs of infection. Without me doing anything, the lump gradually receded and her beak was left normal.

My best guess is that your chick got her beak injured, and that lump has grown in response to the damage. Does she seem to be able to eat/drink properly? I would leave it alone, or possibly apply some antibiotic ointment. If it appears infected, the colloidal silver might help, too.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would watch it, and in the meantime go around where she walks and see if you can find any sharp places on feeders, waterers, or any fencing where she may have cut it and it has scarred over. There seem to be some viruses also that cause these growths, and some report that these will sometime fall off eventually. Of course, if it starts growing rapidly, or becoming irregular in shape I would seek a vet. Here is one more different thread to look at: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/246282/wart-or-growth-on-beak