Rhamphotheca (keratin sheath on beak) broken off

[julskinka]

When I went out to coop up my chickens tonight, I noticed my 20-week olive egger had something funny going on with her beak. On closer inspection, the entire rhamphotheca (the “nail” covering the beak) had been chipped up and mostly off of her beak, so was pointing straight upwards. The bony underside of the beak was fine although bloody.

I was holding my baby so by the time I ran back inside to put her down and look for super glue, she had lost the rhamphotheca in the dark somewhere and gone back to roost.

It must have just happened because I had been out with them a few minutes before and she was fine. It didn’t appear to be bleeding much.

I put some bluekote on it but am not sure what else to do. I don’t see a lot on the internet for this kind of injury. Will this grow back like a nail? Will she still be able to eat since the actual beak is still intact?

Please help! I’ve had the most terrible run of luck lately.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When you have time post some photos.
She will be sore for a few days, offer her some wet feed-that is easier to eat than pecking at pellets or crumbles. Watch to see that she is staying well hydrated.

Beaks can heal remarkable well, depending on the damage.

 

[julskinka]

When you have time post some photos.
She will be sore for a few days, offer her some wet feed-that is easier to eat than pecking at pellets or crumbles. Watch to see that she is staying well hydrated.

Beaks can heal remarkable well, depending on the damage.

I know these don’t have the best resolution. I’m a terrible photographer. The beak is dark because it’s stained with blukote.

I hand-fed her a bunch of yogurt and medicated crumbles, and she scarfed it down. But she also seemed fine out foraging with everyone else. She couldn’t or wouldn’t pierce a tomato but did ok picking at plants and bugs and scratch off the ground.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I hand-fed her a bunch of yogurt and medicated crumbles

Looks like she skinned the outer layer off. The Blu Kote is good, other than that I would leave it be. It will harden up.

Do you normally feed medicated crumbles?

 

[MissChick@dee]

If she’s eating normally that’s good. It’ll be sore for sure. Perhaps serve her wet feed so she can lap it up to ensure she’s getting enough nutrient intake. She may peck but not really eat does that make sense?

 

[guest226]

Looks like she skinned the outer layer off. The Blu Kote is good, other than that I would leave it be. It will harden up.

Do you normally feed medicated crumbles?

How long will it take to harden up?

My chicken has the same thing. Im concerned since it is vulnerable that it will crack and break off even.

 

[Sally PB]

This happened to my rooster.

I think he caught the protruding flake on something the next day, and took off the top layer of the beak. I bet it was as sore and tender as it looked. I didn't do anything, as he was a totally "hands off me" guy.

The surface "dried up" for lack of a better term in a day or so, and healed just fine.