scabby beak -- fight or disease?

[farmergal]

Hi all,

I have a 5-week-old BO roo who has a bit of a scab on his beak, just up by his nose. He's currently in a brooder with 3 guineas and 2 other chicks. One of the other chicks also has a bit of scab on the beak.

Could this be a sign of some disease, or is it likely just due to fighting? (I've noticed some definite pecking order stuff going on.)

I'm hoping to move them in with my 3-month-olds soon, but I don't want to put them together if there's any chance they're sick. I bought these guys at a few days old from a local woman who'd gotten them from Sand Hill Preservation. So, she'd had them for a few days, and she has lots of other birds... (They've been quarantined for the recommended month, though, and aside from the beak they seem perfectly healthy.)

Any help is appreciated!!!
Lynda

 

[farmergal]

Are there any common chicken diseases which have symptoms of scabs around the beak? I'm really tempted to stick the little roo in with the bigger chickens, especially since he's on the aggressive side... might take him down a peg or two.

 

[silkiechicken]

We might need a pic to be able to guess.

scabs on the top of the beak near the nares are often pretty common when they run into things or stick their faces through wire to get stuff on the other side.

 

[farmergal]

I'll try to take a pic in the morning... it gets dark so early these days. thanks!