Hens beak is broken

[WVduckchick]

@casportpony @Pyxis @Ravynscroft

 

[smills4635]

These are my first chickens so I'm still very new to this. Should I put some antibiotic ointment on it or something?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I think a thin layer would be ok. You don't want her to be eating a bunch of it.

If you have Virgin Coconut Oil I would use that. She might like eating some.

 

[casportpony]

If she were mine I would keep it clean. Now would be a good time to get a baseline weight on her. Reweigh once a week, or sooner if she stops eating.

This story might interest you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/plese-help-chickens-beak-got-bit-off.848424/

FYI, it has a happy ending.

 

[Abriana]

Clean the wound and put some neosporin on it to help her eat. Give her wet feed, it’s easier to scoop up. If she doesn’t want to eat, give her nutridrench. I had a rooster with a terrible beak break-I did all this and he pulled right through and his beak grew back and almost has a point again now. Also the hens might peck at it- keeping her separate for a few days would be best. A tray and waterer versus a nipple waterer would also do her a favor. Good luck!

 

[casportpony]

@tmlpike , what would you do?

 

[Dawnclucks22]

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

My hens get black spots every now and then, they go away after awhile.

 

[Pyxis]

I would definitely clean it out as has been suggested. Luckily it doesn't look like she broke it off past the point that it will no longer grow back, like is done to hens when they are debeaked for factory egg farms. Hopefully over time it will grow back.

You could try patching it. People have successfully patched beaks using a piece of tea bag soaked in some glue. That could help keep it steady until her beak grows out enough.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/repairing-chickens-broken-beak.html

 

[smills4635]

Clean the wound and put some neosporin on it to help her eat. Give her wet feed, it’s easier to scoop up. If she doesn’t want to eat, give her nutridrench. I had a rooster with a terrible beak break-I did all this and he pulled right through and his beak grew back and almost has a point again now. Also the hens might peck at it- keeping her separate for a few days would be best. A tray and waterer versus a nipple waterer would also do her a favor. Good luck!

What is nutidrench? And what kind of wet food should I offer?

 

[smills4635]

Thanks so much for all your advice and encouragement! I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the responses. This is a wonderful group of people! I'm feeling less freaked out now because of you all! I'll let you all know how it's going.