Hens beak is broken

[smills4635]

The top beak of my 6 month old Americana is broken off!! I just noticed it today. She seems to be eating and drinking but she stopped laying about 3 or 4 days ago. I only have 3 chickens and the other 2 are fine. No sign of fighting amongst them. What should i do? Will it grow back? Should i take her to the vet tomorrow? Thanks for any help.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

A picture is worth a thousand words. We have seen it all so graphic is fine.

Depending on where it is broken I think depends on how or if it will grow back. In debeaking the cauterize the end to inhibit regrowth. I would think if the blood flow is still good she has a good chance of regrowth.

If a vet is an option and you are worried about infection a trip may be worth it.

 

[smills4635]

 

[smills4635]

It hurts me to look at it! It's more like the rop has peeled/chipped off.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

That's what I thought when I looked at it. It's chipped like nail polish.
You could try and clean it up a little. Just a gentle rub with a wet wash cloth. See how it is after that.

I'm wondering if where the arrow is pointing was an injury. It almost looks like a blood blister formed.

@WVduckchick, @Eggcessive, @KikisGirls
Thoughts anyone else?

I do think it will grow back...very strange though. Nothing I've personally seen.

 

[WVduckchick]

I've not seen anything like it either. My gut says it will grow back, but just a hunch.

Could she have gotten it stuck in a some wire fencing?

The black spot in her comb also concerns me, if you don't have any roosters, what's up with that spot?

 

[smills4635]

The black spot on her crown (is that the right word?) Is new as well.

 

[smills4635]

We were wondering about her getting stuck in the hardware cloth too. I hope she's not in pain....

 

[smills4635]

And no, we don’t have any roosters.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I thought maybe the comb spot was a peck wound. The more I look at the beak the more it reminds me of hitting a fingernail with a pointed object and getting a blood blister.

There even seems to be a thin dark line along the edge where it pealed off.