My rooster is missing his top beak! What do I do?

[Noellereagan]

This am I fed the chickens and my favorite rooster eats out of my hand daily. Just last night, he kinda of pinched me with his beak while eating out of my hand so I know with absolute certain tea that his beak was there and in perfect working order because I watched closely hoping he wasn’t going to accidentally pinched me again when he ate out of my hand. This a.m. I want to feed him and his beak is completely missing on the top. I search for possible places where he could’ve caught it and tore it off and found nothing and they are very secure and I don’t think predators would’ve done it either. It’s possible he was fighting with one of the other cockerels but That’s not my biggest question. Can he survive with just a bottom beak? And will the top peak grow back? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Noellereagan]

He seems to be Eating OK but he was kind of just pecking at the water and I’m not sure that he got any I will post a video of him trying to eat and you can tell me if you think he seems to be eating. It’s hard to tell because they move so quickly. Thanks in advance for all of your help

 

[Noellereagan]

I can’t tell if he’s getting anything. I made a mash to help thinking this would be easier to pick up with only half a beak. And I mounded it up for him as you can see thinking he could maybe grab it better with what he’s got to work with. My biggest concern (not that inability to eat isn’t a huge concern) is that he seems to be pecking at the water versus trying to drink like normal. And he is staying around feeders a lot longer to eat and drink than the rest of the flock. I really hope I don’t have to butcher him. He’s an incredibly sweet rooster- to humans and hens.

 

[Noellereagan]

I’m hoping someone has some encouraging advice. I’m
Posting this comment I’m hopes I’ll get bumped

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Make the feed wetter into a mash. Provide it in a bowl so he can "scoop" it. Food on the ground like that, if not cleaned up will mold and be wasted.

Same with water provide a deep bowl of water so he can get to it more easily.

It may help to also put the water and feed bowls up a little higher like on a cinder block.

Weigh him now so you have a baseline weight for him, then weigh him a couple of times a week, this will let you know if he is losing.

This makes a good water bowl - you can order them online or find them at Tractor Supply.

 

[Birdsong 82]

It’s hard for me to see exactly how far down it’s broken I see pretty much most of it’s gone. Poor little guy. I don’t have any experience with the nipple watering cans but with that maybe work that way the water is coming down instead of having to scoop it up. Just a thought

 

[Noellereagan]

Make the feed wetter into a mash. Provide it in a bowl so he can "scoop" it. Food on the ground like that, if not cleaned up will mold and be wasted.

Same with water provide a deep bowl of water so he can get to it more easily.

It may help to also put the water and feed bowls up a little higher like on a cinder block.

Weigh him now so you have a baseline weight for him, then weigh him a couple of times a week, this will let you know if he is losing.

This makes a good water bowl - you can order them online or find them at Tractor Supply.

Great idea. I do have hanging water and food dishes. I never feed on the ground. The only reason I did today was to video him trying to eat. I will go to tractor supply and get the dishes you suggest as soon as I’m done typing. I gave him mash this am and will continue. All of your suggestions are great including weighing him. I never thought of this. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Noellereagan]

It’s hard for me to see exactly how far down it’s broken I see pretty much most of it’s gone. Poor little guy. I don’t have any experience with the nipple watering cans but with that maybe work that way the water is coming down instead of having to scoop it up. Just a thought

Yes. It’s completely gone. I did t think about the nipple eating system. Does anyone have any input for this?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes. It’s completely gone. I did t think about the nipple eating system. Does anyone have any input for this?

Personally, I think nipple watering would be hard for him to navigate. He would have to peck it in order to get any water - he only has a bottom beak, so I am unsure how he would peck and catch water at the same time.

He is likely going to be stressed an panicking if he is not able to eat/drink properly, so introducing something new that he would have to "learn" to use would not be practical imho.

 

[Noellereagan]

Personally, I think nipple watering would be hard for him to navigate. He would have to peck it in order to get any water - he only has a bottom beak, so I am unsure how he would peck and catch water at the same time.

He is likely going to be stressed an panicking if he is not able to eat/drink properly, so introducing something new that he would have to "learn" to use would not be practical imho.

Thanks for answering.