**Update** Broken Beak

[RR Roost]

Hello.
One of my poor babies has broken beak! I let them out of the coop at 630am and all was well. My daughter just found her hiding under the coop. She is one of my more vocal, more active girls and she is quietly resting on the couch with my daughters. I know she must be in pain. We have offered water and food, but she doesn't want either. I will syringe feed water, if I need to. I do have a farm supply store near by where I can buy supplies.

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Barred Rock Hen. 22 Weeks. About 5lbs. Same size as others
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Quiet, Sleeping in Lap
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Hour
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?NA
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
Beak Broken. Looks like outer layer broke off. No bleeding
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Unknown
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
No
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
None other separating from flock
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I am willing to treat myself. There is a vet that will see chickens in the next town
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
20x8 Run 8x6 coop. Sand in run and hemp in coop

Thank you so much for any help!

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear about your hen.

If she were mine, I'd either try to tease the broken piece off, since it looks to only be the keratin layer of the beak, and looks like it's almost torn off. Since the beak is exposed an antibacterial ointment placed on top wouldn't be a bad idea.

Or, apply super glue and press the part back down to its original place. Going the latter option, the beak may be prone to subsequent reinjuring compared to the first option where it should heal over time.

Compared to what we see on here, this is quite a minimal injury, I highly doubt it will affect her eating and drinking abilities.

 

[That_australian_lad]

poor thing

 

[RR Roost]

I followed your advice, Isaac 0. Thank you!
When I went to clean her beak, I found that it was barely attached. I clipped it off with nail scissors, cleaned it up and applied a little Neosporin. I waited until the rest of the girls were in the coop for the night and put her in with them. I got her out early this morning and fed her some crumble softened with water inside so I could be sure she had some food. She ate it all and drank normally. Then let us know she did not want to be inside! I put her back out with her flock and she is acting completely normal! There is always someone home, so we are able to check her all day.
Her is a picture of her beak now. She didn’t want to stay still, so she is feeling better.

 

[Isaac 0]

Glad to hear everything went smoothly, and she's doing well. Thanks for the update.