Hen broke her upper beak back to the nares

[Noreaster Egger]

The avian vet is booked until 10/22. I assume the upper beak growing back is a lost cause. I have no intentions on culling…we’ll help feed her if we have to. But we feed wet mash already so hopefully she can learn to scoop her food.

She’s starting to molt too so the poor girl is in a lot of pain. She’s normally very active and the top of the pecking order. Any ideas on how we should treat this? There’s a little fresh blood, but nothing bleeding profusely. Neosporin on the tip and just make sure she’s eating?

 

[WIchickMama]

Poor thing! I don't have any advice but hope she gets better quick! And good luck

 

[All4Eggz]

Wishing a fast and healthy recovery
Make sure she is at least getting food and water.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Poor Baby! Sorry, I have no experience with this!

 

[centrarchid]

Lower mandible will require periodic trimming.

 

[coach723]

It may grow back, just depends on how much damage was done to the quick. Birds that are mechanically debeaked have beaks this short sometimes. She will adapt either way. It will be very sore for a few days and then it will harden off and be much less painful. To make eating and drinking easier, make her feed into a thick mash by mixing with water to make it easier for her to scoop up with the bottom beak. Put food and water into deeper, open type bowls and raise them up on blocks or something to make it easier for her to scoop. Things on the ground will be impossible for her to pick up. You may have to hand feed or assist until she figures it out, to make sure she's getting enough and doesn't get dehydrated. Many birds, even birds that lose their entire beaks, adapt and do well much of the time. I would watch the lower beak to make sure it doesn't get overgrown. If she has access to pavers, bricks, or concrete blocks, she may hone and maintain it herself.

 

[Weeg]

Ouch! Poor girl! Looks like she has a great owner to help her out.
I think she will adapt just fine, but things take time. I'd follow the advice above.

 

[centrarchid]

Damage done is more than just into the quick, it appears to involve bones of the upper mandible.

 

[coach723]

Damage done is more than just into the quick, it appears to involve bones of the upper mandible.

You very well may be correct. I can't zoom in on the pic, so it's very hard for me to tell. I've had roo's get bad beak breaks from fighting and had them grow back, albeit a very slow process, so I'm always a bit reluctant to predict til I see how it goes.

 

[centrarchid]

See this link.

Rooster I kept like that for three years.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-good-is-a-beak.74339/