Something stuck in beak - ever seen that?

[TxChiknRanchers]

This morning we noticed one of our EE's (7 weeks)was not socializing with the others, but didn't think much of it and went about our day. Later, during the afternoon feeding frenzy that same chick was barely moving and the others were pecking at it and walking over it so I rescued it from the pen.

It was then that I noticed something stuck inside it's beak - both top and bottom - and keeping it held open - it couldn't close it's beak! It looked like dried, built up feed (grower feed is all we use)! We were able to chip it away and pull it out of the beak and rinse out it's mouth. Then, I noticed that it's little tongue was cut across the middle about halfway back and wasn't working properly!

I tried feeding it water through a syringe but it couldn't swallow and it died this evening while I was warming it up and trying to coax it to drink.

Anyone ever seen this before? Any idea what would cause it?

 

[chicknmania]

That is really strange. I have no idea, but, you might want to check out having a necropsy done, ...don't know if the State Ag dept in Texas will do it for you or how easy it is for you to get the bird there..they do have to have them within twenty four hours or so of the the time of death. We've had a couple done for different things; you can learn a lot for future reference by having one done. The Chickendr (www.firststatevetsupply.com) could probably tell you, too, but I think he charges around $20.00 per problem for advice now.

 

[Bamaman]

It sounds like a long feed pellet, do you feed pellets or mash? It could have been a feed pellet that wasn't ground-up enough.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

We feed the granulated kind - it looked kinda like a bunch had gotten stuck and just dried there - over time, maybe? Like it might have started out as a little bit and then as it tried to eat more it just kept caking on?!? I don't know - really - that is the only explanation I can come up with. The thought of taking pictures crossed my mind, briefly.

 

[dlhunicorn]

candidasis (thrush) ...vitamin A deficienciency... trichomoniasis (called canker in pigeons)... all these produce placques in the beak and esophogus.... and can in principal kill your bird.