Hen's mouth has blood around it, is swollen and full of mucus

[Emmyandtheflock]

Two days ago I took on a friend of mine's five hens. I have them separate from my flock for now since they're new. They are four years old and have all been in good health, although she has lost a few in the past year due to old age.

Today, one of the black Australorps had blood inside its mouth and lining the outside of its beak. This quickly cleared up and she seemed to be acting normal. But then she was holding her beak slightly open and there appeared to be sticky saliva coating her mouth and on her face, which seemed swollen. After I looked closer, I realized her beak appeared misaligned.

I'm worried she injured herself somewhere in the coop. Could she have fallen and hit her beak? Or gotten in a fight with one of her flockmates? Could she be sick? Unfortunately, I discovered all of this after the vet had closed. Should I take her tomorrow? Is there anything they can do for her? Is there anything I can do in the meantime to help her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

I would gently open the beak. Take a wetted qtip or cloth and gently wipe out the beak and inspect the inside. She has a small cut on the wattle too.

I do see where it's misaligned, she may have caught it in fencing or in a feeder, perhaps a fight, hard to know what happened unless you saw it take place.

She will probably be sore, so do watch to see that she's able to drink o.k. Wet mushy feed in a deep dish may be easier to eat than picking up pellets or crumbles.

Not sure what can be done for a misaligned beak, you can call your vet to see if they are able to treat.

 

[Emmyandtheflock]

Welcome To BYC

I would gently open the beak. Take a wetted qtip or cloth and gently wipe out the beak and inspect the inside. She has a small cut on the wattle too.

I do see where it's misaligned, she may have caught it in fencing or in a feeder, perhaps a fight, hard to know what happened unless you saw it take place.

She will probably be sore, so do watch to see that she's able to drink o.k. Wet mushy feed in a deep dish may be easier to eat than picking up pellets or crumbles.

Not sure what can be done for a misaligned beak, you can call your vet to see if they are able to treat.

Thank you so much!