Old beak injury

[Annettehale]

I have an 8 week old Light Brahma. I believe a rodent may have bitten her when she was about 4 weeks old. There was a mark on the top and a chunk out of her bottom beak. I have continued to watch it and it had healed with no issue. The beak has changed and now there is a noticeable pointed part to the lower beak. My question is weather it can be filed or clipped off? The pics are a little blurry but I think you can see what I’m talking about.

 

[ashlierami]

Looks like it can be evened out. It may need to be trimmed or filwd every so often but it should help. When trimming it you should be able to see where the beak ends and the bloodline starts. To not cut behond this. If she does bleed use a cotton ball or skeptic powder.

 

[Hughes Wildlife Farm]

My finch has the same issue from time to time.. I wonder if she would use a cuttlebone, to file it herself, like my finch does

 

[coach723]

If you have large rocks, or concrete blocks or pavers in the run, that may help her hone it on her own. Put them near feeders, they will often go rub their beaks after eating. If it's getting in the way, preventing her from eating, or catching on things, then maybe try filing it down gradually. Otherwise I'd be inclined to leave it alone, if you do then as stated before, don't cut into the quick as that would be painful.

 

[Annettehale]

If you have large rocks, or concrete blocks or pavers in the run, that may help her hone it on her own. Put them near feeders, they will often go rub their beaks after eating. If it's getting in the way, preventing her from eating, or catching on things, then maybe try filing it down gradually. Otherwise I'd be inclined to leave it alone, if you do then as stated before, don't cut into the quick as that would be painful.

Do they make special files to use? Filing might be my best option since I will be doing it by myself. I do have some paver stones in the run and their water is sitting on a cinder block.

 

[Annettehale]

Looks like it can be evened out. It may need to be trimmed or filwd every so often but it should help. When trimming it you should be able to see where the beak ends and the bloodline starts. To not cut behond this. If she does bleed use a cotton ball or skeptic powder.

Great!! Thanks for the info. I didn’t want to cause her any pain so I thought I should check

 

[ashlierami]

Great!! Thanks for the info. I didn’t want to cause her any pain so I thought I should check

That's just what I'd do if she were my girl. If you decide to leave ir she should be perfectly fine. I've had hens that were rescued and the previous owners clipped their beaks to prevent picking. They had the uneven beak as your girl does and ate just fine. I think it's more of a look thing it would be more comforting if it were evened out .