Pullet with a split top beak.....need advice please

[New2Chicks97]

One of our SLW pullets has always had a longer more curved upper beak but she always managed to eat just fine so I didn’t mess with it. Today my daughter told me that she had a split in her beak. So I checked tonight, as I can only catch her while they are roosting.

Sure enough her upper beak had split quite a bit. I took a pair of brand new dog nail clippers and carefully nipped off the beak until it was just about the same length as the bottom beak. Just a little at a time as I didn’t want to hurt her. It still has a little bit of a split but not nearly as bad as it was.

My question is.....what do I do now? Will it grow out so I can trim the rest of the split? Is there something I should do to keep it from splitting further? She still seems to be able to eat fine and her beaks align fine. I have no idea how she split it to begin with but it had to have been during free range time.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Picture would help us see how much of a split she still has. Chickens peck & she could have pecked at a rock/pebble that she thought was something good. If the split isn't too bad where it could catch on something, I'd leave it for now but keep a real close eye on the split. Careful when trimming not to cut into any "pink" parts of the beak.

You could try picking up those "nail repair" tapes (see at in the beauty sections), wipe her beak clean & "tape" the split, trim the excess tape or trip a piece to fit. Just my thought but others may have better ideas.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Picture would help us see how much of a split she still has. Chickens peck & she could have pecked at a rock/pebble that she thought was something good. If the split isn't too bad where it could catch on something, I'd leave it for now but keep a real close eye on the split. Careful when trimming not to cut into any "pink" parts of the beak.

You could try picking up those "nail repair" tapes (see at in the beauty sections), wipe her beak clean & "tape" the split, trim the excess tape or trip a piece to fit. Just my thought but others may have better ideas.

I will get a picture tomorrow morning when I have my daughter to help me hold her so I can get a good shot.

I just don’t want it to get worse. Poor girl.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Here are some pictures. It is cracked to the roundish looking spot. I have already trimmed about 1/4” off of the split portion. It now aligns with the bottom for the most part.

 

[coach723]

That should grow out with time. A repair (if necessary) can be made with super glue gel, and a tea bag (link below on the how-to), but I would not do it unless the split continues to get worse. You don't want to seal dirt or bacteria in there. As long as it is stable I would just monitor and trim as necessary until the split grows out. If it seems sensitive or she has any issues eating, you can make a mash by mixing her regular feed with some water, they usually like it that way and it's easier to pick up.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/repairing-chickens-broken-beak/

 

[New2Chicks97]

That should grow out with time. A repair (if necessary) can be made with super glue gel, and a tea bag (link below on the how-to), but I would not do it unless the split continues to get worse. You don't want to seal dirt or bacteria in there. As long as it is stable I would just monitor and trim as necessary until the split grows out. If it seems sensitive or she has any issues eating, you can make a mash by mixing her regular feed with some water, they usually like it that way and it's easier to pick up.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/repairing-chickens-broken-beak/

Thank you! I will definitely keep an eye on it. If it gets worse I will try that repair method. She was a bit better about being held this time