My debeaked chicken's first gourmet meal

[SeaChick]

Oh, I know just what you mean.... I am so sad for Clarisse but hooray for your for making her fancy meals. Since Phoebe's beak broke a couple days ago she's doing the same thing... scratching and TRYING to peck but not able to get anything. It's heartbreaking to watch. After a while she just gives up and stands there, napping, while the other 4 girls are all busy-busy around her. Although it's probably better for Clarisse since she doesn't really know what she's missing, right?

Anyway, good for you. I think I'll go make Phoebe a mushy meal right now!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Seminole, what a great thing you're doing. A suggestion was once made on this forum about somehow fashioning a beak structure from fake fingernails and epoxy. Is that a possibility?

 

[hencackle]

You're such a good chicken mama, Seminole!

Regarding prosthetic beaks, I think a light-cured dental resin would be better to use. The chicken would have to be anesthetized to work on her and her eyes covered to prevent damage from the UV light. Also, dental tools will have to be used to grind the resin to fit normal beak contours.

Maybe you could get your dentist or a dental lab tech to work with your vet to make a new beak.

Stephanie (an ex-dental lab tech)

 

[Wynette]

I got teary-eyed seeing her pic & reading about her. Poor baby! She's so lucky to have a momma that cares so much! That dental resin thing sounds like a fantastic idea...maybe worth a try? I bet if you plead your case, maybe a local dentist would take mercy on her little soul & do the job for free? Keep us all posted! Sounds like she's doing well under your care!!

 

[silkiechicken]

My only concern with that is that even though her beak won't grow out like normal, it still does grow. That would be alot of maintience to keep getting the beak refinished. But maybe that's not a problem since they do beak repairs on expensive/endangered birds and I don't hear about the beak maintenance.

 

[ChickieDee]

That's just awful!!! That should be illegal!!!

 

[wegotchickens]

OK. Now I'm picturing the faces of those in the waiting room as they hear the dentist's current patient clucking and squawking in the examination room

Seriously, though, if it isn't too expensive it sure would be nice to fix her beak. Pecking and scratching is chicken zen, and I can't imagine my peeps not being able to do part of that.

 

[bantymum]

The dear little chook, shes a sweetypie.
Well done for giving her a lovely new start.
Animals with handicaps are so tolerant of their condition, not like us whingers!!!!
I detest debeaking no matter what the excuse, we have some people in my town selling "freerange eggs" to shops with lovely labels and they even put a feather in the box.
I used to buy their eggs when mine went off the lay but then I found out that they debeak all their chooks.
So even if they do freerange, they cant forage.
I hope they see this, the word is out!!!!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

So sad.

Glad she has a good chicken mama like you, Seminole.

 

[bestponymilo]

What a lucky girl to have you! She's beautiful