Weird lump below beak

[Silverlilly1]

Has anyone seen anything like this? I didn’t notice it before today. It goes in and out and gets quite large when the chick drinks.

 

[LaFleche]

Did you feel it when getting bigger while drinking? Your description leads me to think that this must be some kind of deformity of the lower inner jaw. Can you open up the beak an look inside?

This chick has a deformity of the beak too, where the upper beak is much too long and curved, so there might be some underlying genetic issues or result of temperature problems during incubation.

 

[SeaPeaMcG]

I have actually seen that on a dove. It was just an air pocket on the dove, kind of like a deformity.

Does it fill with water or is it hard?

 

[Silverlilly1]

Did you feel it when getting bigger while drinking? Your description leads me to think that this must be some kind of deformity of the lower inner jaw. Can you open up the beak an look inside?

This chick has a deformity of the beak too, where the upper beak is much too long and curved, so there might be some underlying genetic issues or result of temperature problems during incubation.

This chick is the only one with a beak quite that curved - it is noticeably different from its siblings - though Ameraucana are known to have curved beaks. I can’t see anything inside.

 

[Silverlilly1]

I have actually seen that on a dove. It was just an air pocket on the dove, kind of like a deformity.

Does it fill with water or is it hard?

It appears to be mostly skin but does have a hard lump that moves back and forth into that empty skin and back toward the neck. The lump is visibly larger and moves in and out when the chick drinks.

 

[SeaPeaMcG]

I would say it's just a growth. Like humans, "critters" have the chance of developing deformities. I wouldnt worry about it too much unless the little thing starts getting pecked at by the others or doesn't develop properly. It might dissappear on its own.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The chick has "parrot beak" where the lower beak is too short and/or the upper too long. You will need to provide some maintenance to help preserve some function so it can eat and groom itself.

That lump is (my guess) perhaps an opening in the floor of the mouth/throat area, possibly part of the tongue is slipping into there.

 

[Orion ZyGarian]

I'm guessing like everyone else that she might need more attention growing up, just to make sure she gets the food and water she needs. Please keep us posted as she grows!

 

[Silverlilly1]

The chick has "parrot beak" where the lower beak is too short and/or the upper too long. You will need to provide some maintenance to help preserve some function so it can eat and groom itself.

That lump is (my guess) perhaps an opening in the floor of the mouth/throat area, possibly part of the tongue is slipping into there.

That could be possible. What might this little one need me to do?

 

[rosemarythyme]

That could be possible. What might this little one need me to do?

The parrot beak would benefit from some trimming/filing back at the tip, though you need to do it carefully and gradually to try and minimize it. Like a dog/cat's nail there's a sensitive blood rich center in the beak, so you do not want to nick that.

As far as the possibility of an opening in the oral cavity, not sure what to suggest. I remember someone on here last year or so with a chick that had an issue with the tongue slipping into an opening but I don't remember what happened in that case or if the chick survived.