Split Broken Beak

[Stacykins]

So I have a broody hen that has two, four week old chicks and one, four week old duckling. Today I was out there and I noticed something wasn't right about one of the chicks, so I caught it and took a closer look. The chick is missing part of the bottom beak. It didn't look fresh as though it happened minutes ago, but it is very new. The chick had food in its crop, so it has been able to eat and drink, it seems.

What can I do for it? I decided to bring it in and put it in the indoor brooder with three week old chicks. It settled in and had a good drink right away. I just think being indoors might allow for better healing. Can chickens live OK missing half of the lower beak? I know they're tough birds, but I wouldn't want to cause any undue suffering. Can I use blue kote on the chick this close to its mouth and eyes (like, dab it on with a q-tip?)?

Since pictures are worth a thousand words..








It sucks too because it is a little olive egger pullet, the first I hatched from my own hatching eggs ever, I am almost certain of the sex.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

What do you suppose happened to her? It's excellent she's drink water, because if she couldn't that would change things around.

 

[Stacykins]

I deduced she was attacked by my tom turkey. The same turkey also caused grave injuries to a duckling (which I euthanized) shortly after this happened to the chick. Mr. Turkey is now in Freezer Camp.

She is still going well, eating and drinking. The chicks she is with now, who are in the brooder and a week younger than her, are not picking at the beak at all. So I think I'll just have a special needs chicken missing part of the beak.

 

[sourland]

It looks as if there is enough lowerbeak that she will survive given a deep dish of feed to facilitate her eating. Good luck with her.

 

[Chickadeeee]

Oh no! That tom turkey sounds vicious! I'd recommend keeping him away from the others so no further injuries occur... Split and broken beaks happen sometimes, and it's definitely possible for them to heal. How is she doing these days?

 

[Stacykins]

Oh no! That tom turkey sounds vicious! I'd recommend keeping him away from the others so no further injuries occur... Split and broken beaks happen sometimes, and it's definitely possible for them to heal. How is she doing these days?

This thread is from a while ago. The turkey tom went to freezer camp very shortly after this was posted, so he is no longer a problem!

The girl has matured into a nice little lady. She grew just fine. She still is missing that part of her lower beak, but it doesn't stop her from being able to eat and drink, and she forages with the rest of the flock.