Rooster with broken beak

[lindaDH]

I noticed recently that my rooster, Dr. Crusher, had a hairline crack in the upper part of his beak. I've been watching it and it's not changed until just now. I believe a part has broken off, left a jagged piece and he's bleeding a little. I've read a few articles and how to repair a broken beak, but nothing described what I'm seeing. There is a small fragment that seems to be splintered off, you can see it on his left side in the second photo. He keeps scratching at it with his foot, I think it's poking him. I'm tempted to try to remove it with fingernail clippers, but have the fear it's what's holding the beak together. Any advice is welcome.
Thank you,
Linda

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I noticed recently that my rooster, Dr. Crusher, had a hairline crack in the upper part of his beak. I've been watching it and it's not changed until just now. I believe a part has broken off, left a jagged piece and he's bleeding a little. I've read a few articles and how to repair a broken beak, but nothing described what I'm seeing. There is a small fragment that seems to be splintered off, you can see it on his left side in the second photo. He keeps scratching at it with his foot, I think it's poking him. I'm tempted to try to remove it with fingernail clippers, but have the fear it's what's holding the beak together. Any advice is welcome.
Thank you,
Linda

Hard to tell anything from the photos? Can you get some more of the injury and upload them to a larger size so we can zoom in?

I'm usually inclined to leak a damaged beak alone.

 

[lindaDH]

I've enlarged the photo and circled the area I am concerned about showing where the piece of beak broke off, and the fragment that I think is poking him.

 

[coach723]

Because of how that is sticking out, and apparently bothering him, I would try to trim that bit off (I can't really tell where the crack is). It also could possibly get caught on something and do more damage if it got pulled off. The rest of the beak I would leave alone and it will grow out eventually. Do you have any large rocks or concrete blocks they have access to? They will use those to hone their beaks naturally (watch and they will often wipe their beaks after getting food or water) and that may help him, though he probably won't do it until it isn't painful. Beak injuries can be very painful, so don't take more off than necessary.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Because of how that is sticking out, and apparently bothering him, I would try to trim that bit off (I can't really tell where the crack is). It also could possibly get caught on something and do more damage if it got pulled off. The rest of the beak I would leave alone and it will grow out eventually. Do you have any large rocks or concrete blocks they have access to? They will use those to hone their beaks naturally (watch and they will often wipe their beaks after getting food or water) and that may help him, though he probably won't do it until it isn't painful. Beak injuries can be very painful, so don't take more off than necessary.

Agreed, I would trim that little piece sticking out.

 

[lindaDH]

Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. The crack is across the top, and it seems a chip fell out leaving the fragment. I was afraid to trim it without consulting the experts here. Thanks again.