Is this canker?

[shilobee]

Hello Fellow Chicken Lovers,

Yesterday I noticed a funny color in my hen’s beak. She was acting normal, eating, drinking, and running around. Today, I was able to pick her up and inspect further. Her beak is very smelly, and it looks worse than yesterday. That being said, she’s still acting pretty normal. I am separating her. I wanted to confirm that this looks like canker before I treat her. I haven’t experienced this before.

I appreciate all of your help and expertise.

Thank you!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She was acting normal, eating, drinking, and running around. Today, I was able to pick her up and inspect further. Her beak is very smelly, and it looks worse than yesterday.

What does the inside of her beak look like?

Having a bad odor, it's likely Canker. Treatment is Metronidazole.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have not seen canker personally, but WyorpRock is right about a bad odor and there may be yellow material inside the beak and throat. It can spread to block the airway and invade the crop. But that dark brown and the split in the beak looks like a possible injury or predator attack, and there could be infection. Cancer can also invade this area. Would it be possible to see a vet?

If you see the yellow cheesy material inside the beak, metronidazole or ronidazole are 2 drugs that may treat it. Aqua Zole is available online and dosage is 250 mg daily for 5-7 days. Canker is very contagious and spread to chickens by pigeons and other wild birds in contaminated water. Waterers and feeders should be disinfected with 10% bleach water. Separate sick birds.

 

[LaFleche]

There seems to be some kind of lesion on her lower beak, something like a crack?
It probably got infected, hence the bad smell.

 

[shilobee]

I opened her mouth and it was full of yellow and black, so likely canker. And yes, her beak does look injured and cut too. I’m going to do my best to save her. I have her separated, will disinfect all the waterers, and treat the flock.

Thank you for your help!!