Mom, my beak fell off!

[EarthToWitness]

Discovered this last night. I did have the heat source too close to the birdies for a while last night, trying to tweek the temperature. Not sure how else to explain the injury. As far as I can tell she is OK, eating and drinking. Any idea what happened to her? They’re in a large dog carrier. I have no idea what happened.

RESOLVED: Chick supplier has their beaks trimmed by laser- this, supposedly, does not hurt the chick and the beak (tip of the beak, on the top) eventually falls off. It WILL regrow, but less pointy and less destructive as they peck each other, this being the whole reason for the stupid procedure.

 

[debid]

The light is outside the crate now. Was it inside before?

 

[Quik1th]

Ack!

 

[theoldchick]

Holy Mackerel! She debeaked herself. The wound should heal, though she might be at a disadvantage when trying to assert her position in the flock.

 

[chonsey]

Maybe wedged between the cage door & crate.

 

[Rachealx4]

Poor baby. I'm glad that she seems to be doing ok!

 

[EarthToWitness]

The light is outside the crate now. Was it inside before?

It has never been inside, but I did put it directly in front of the door (it has wiring so the bulb was maybe 2 inches away) and the metal on the door was too hot for the touch so I abandoned that idea. But it WAS there for like an hour or two, supervised. Then I noticed the beak. The injury may have happened earlier in the day. I’m kind of at a loss, really. Ouch.

 

[EarthToWitness]

Maybe wedged between the cage door & crate.

This has happened before when I went to close the door. Almost rang someone’s neck! I’ll keep a close eye on that.

 

[EarthToWitness]

Guys, there’s another one with no tip of the beak now too. And other beaks are looking awfully red. What could it be??? Pecking too hard? I took any dishes or hard surfaces out. What about the marbles in the water? Could they be bashing themselves on that?? Only other thing I can think is maybe the disinfectant hand soap I use to clean their waterer with. ???? I just don’t know

 

[debid]

There must be a sharp edge somewhere. Transfer them to a big, cardboard box and see if that stops the issue.