I Need Beak Tips!

[Djrdn]

Hi all! Last night I noticed the tip of my Rhode Island Red hen’s beak chipped and hanging to the side much like a hang nail. I took her from her perch so that I could get a better look in the house. When I picked her up, she climbed up my arm onto my shoulder, so I decided to take care of a couple of things before I did. As I walked around she would softly brush the beak’s tip against my ear. I wondered what she was doing. By that time, I just decided to take her in the coop and take a look under a light. The tip was gone! Will it grow back? Is it now too sensitive for her too eat? Should I provide a mash for her?

 

[coach723]

Pictures would be helpful. If the root/core of the beak is not damaged, it will grow back. But they grow fairly slowly so it may take a while, depending on how much broke off. It will be very painful for a couple of days, so monitor that she's eating and drinking. Yes, a mash of feed mixed in water will help. Also feeding and watering in open dishes that are raised up off the ground about chest/shoulder height can also help, so she can scoop with the lower beak. Once it hardens off it will be less painful and she should return to more normal feeding and drinking. Depending on the break it may be much harder for her to pick things up off the ground, so raising dishes is important.