Pullet w/ cracked upper beak

[ldirk7]

Hi all, my 15 week old barred rock pullet, Bonnie has a cracked beak. I have cameras up that I watch far too often, and I first noted she was acting a little different last night- just not as active, but not what I would call lethargic. Today when I checked on her, I discovered the cracked beak. It does seem minor, she is moving around but definitely not as energetic as normal. The wound appears to look good, it isn’t bleeding and seems fine (based on my inexperienced opinion). She shows interest in food and has lightly pecked at some blueberries and lettuce, and I have seen her with her head in our feeder but I cannot verify for certain that she has had some. I do have a bowl of feed mixed with water for her and she did attempt to eat some out of my hand.

Anyone have an idea of what could have caused it? My pullets are in a fully enclosed run and coop, and do not free range. Pecking order is still being established but Bonnie appears to be somewhere in the middle.

Anything else I should do for her? Im hoping her behavior is just the pain of it being fresh, which I am hoping will fade. I did read up on previous chipped beak posts but it did seem like treatment was a case by case basis. Thank you in advance, I love these birds and hate to see any of in pain.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hi all, my 15 week old barred rock pullet, Bonnie has a cracked beak. I have cameras up that I watch far too often, and I first noted she was acting a little different last night- just not as active, but not what I would call lethargic. Today when I checked on her, I discovered the cracked beak. It does seem minor, she is moving around but definitely not as energetic as normal. The wound appears to look good, it isn’t bleeding and seems fine (based on my inexperienced opinion). She shows interest in food and has lightly pecked at some blueberries and lettuce, and I have seen her with her head in our feeder but I cannot verify for certain that she has had some. I do have a bowl of feed mixed with water for her and she did attempt to eat some out of my hand.

Anyone have an idea of what could have caused it? My pullets are in a fully enclosed run and coop, and do not free range. Pecking order is still being established but Bonnie appears to be somewhere in the middle.

Anything else I should do for her? Im hoping her behavior is just the pain of it being fresh, which I am hoping will fade. I did read up on previous chipped beak posts but it did seem like treatment was a case by case basis. Thank you in advance, I love these birds and hate to see any of in pain.
View attachment 2793085View attachment 2793086

That's not too bad. It's the very tip. Looks already dry which is a good sign. No blood.

 

[ldirk7]

@MysteryChicken Thank you, so do you think no further treatment at this time?

Edit: further treatment meaning beyond providing mash for her.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Just provide mash and clean water.
I’ve seen worse than that and the beak still grew back.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@MysteryChicken Thank you, so do you think no further treatment at this time?

Edit: further treatment meaning beyond providing mash for her.

Offering mash is fine. It'll be less painful to peck.

 

[ldirk7]

@MysteryChicken @CluckerFamily Thank you both!

 

[BGcoop]

I had a pullet a couple weeks ago that split her beak the long way all the way from the tip to the nasal cavity, slightly off center. I just left it be since it had already scabbed up by the time I noticed it(I was gone for the weekend). Since then she has worn off most of the split section and looks close to normal from a distance. For a few days she definitely seemed to be a little sore with pecking for food but that quickly improved.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Although rare, when I've had this happen, I have taken a nail file and filed down the rough edges and made it into a smooth little beak tip. If there's anything to file on the bottom, you can do that as well. Just like your fingernails, it will be less likely to catch on dirt and debris if filed.