Is that a bruise...?

[Raindrops]

Hey everyone!

I have 4 buff orpingtons (6 weeks old), all are the same age. The other day I noticed that one them has a dark bruise going across her beak. The others don’t have this at all. Do you think she got injured somehow? Attaching a pic.

I think she acts normal, she is out and about with the other chicks and seems active unphased by this. What do you guys think it is?


Thank you!

 

[Raindrops]

Oddly enough, the one with the bruise is larger than the rest and I got them all as chicks at the same time. Could she be a he? lol

 

[Eggcessive]

It does look like a bruise, perhaps from flying into something, or getting jumped on by another. I can't see any signs of a cockerel yet, but I am not an expert on sexing.

 

[Hope Hughes]

I believe she is a Hen. No roo there. It could be a bruise.... did she no have it before?? Or if it slowly started showing could just be her color there... But if she didn't have it before she could b bruised..maybe pecked my the others...

 

[Raindrops]

She definitely didn’t have it before. It just appeared out of nowhere. I’ll keep an eye on it I guess!! thank you

 

[Raindrops]

As a comparison here’s a pic of a chick that doesn’t have the dark on her beak.

So it’s a pretty start difference I think.

Hopefully it will heal!!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

What a sweet little thing...yes, I agree with Eggcessive. It looks like a bruise. It should heal and fade in a couple of weeks. She probably pecked something hard, like a brick or rock. Sometimes they do that. Good thing she didn't crack or break her beak.

I have two BO's, when I got them at 5 months old, they too were the same size. Now one is huge! Last month at 9 months old, she weighed in at 6.5 lbs., her sister was 5.8 lbs. They are big birds, at maturity, the standard weight will be 8 lbs. They are such sweethearts, their only drawback is they have a hard time in high heat. At 85 degrees I turn on the fans, at 98 degrees I turn on the misting system. It got really hot here this Summer, 108 was the hottest day! Had to also dip them in cool water, three separate times during August.

 

[Raindrops]

Thanks Hen Pen Jem! I hope it heals too! Hopefully it’s nothing major.

We are in Utah and don’t get crazy hot temps here so that’s why I picked them because they are winter hardy. Thank for your advice!

 

[Kathy Golla]

I feel like thats her natural coloring but if your other hens don't have that coloring maybe not. My buff (9 mos) has that same beak coloring.
Ditto what @Hen Pen Jem
Said about buffs being a big hen. I've been struggling with bumblefoot with mine.

 

[Raindrops]

Oh no Kathy! I had to google ‘bumblefoot’.. that looks painful, poor thing!!! I’ll add that to my list of things to worry about now! lol