Pullet with injury to beak, under nostril.

[Jacquieh]

I just found my girl with a scrap to her beak. It is her top portion under her right nostril. There is a portion of the hard beak stuff (no idea what the right term for that is, sorry) that is actually broken off and is hanging there. There is really no blood...I just see red on her beak where the beak is broke. There is a small piece of sand/pebble wedged in the injury. I have NO idea how this happened. And there aren't any other injuries to her. Her right eye is fine, but while sitting on my lap, if she isn't being active, she holds it closed, and since she is a pet/house chicken, I know that she doesn't normally do that. She seems fine otherwise, she is using it, and she is preening her feathers with her beak....? What should I put on it? And the piece of beak that is hanging off, should I leave it alone? I don't feel like I should try and take it off, but would like to know what people with experience would/should do.
Thank you ALL in advance....Jacquie

 

[Poultrybreeder]

you probably should get nail clippers and cut the piece off, so that it does not tear and get worse, I would recommend getting a pair of needle nose tweezers and trying to remove the pebble so that infection doesn't set in, you can put vaseline on it to help it heal

 

[Jacquieh]

you probably should get nail clippers and cut the piece off, so that it does not tear and get worse, I would recommend getting a pair of needle nose tweezers and trying to remove the pebble so that infection doesn't set in, you can put vaseline on it to help it heal

Thank you! The piece that was hanging off, fell off sometime during her preening routine....And subsequently the pebble went with it....so there are a few sharp pieces, but small. I guess I can clip those so they don't catch on anything. I just am NOT looking forward to holding her down to do that! She's Extremely friendly, but holding her head still...yikes! Any suggestions on how to hold her down? I've only had chickens for a little over a month. She was my first....so I'm Very new to this. Thank you for the help