What To Do With My Hen?

[danielle2003]

Hi all,
A few days ago, I noticed that one of my Australorps had some of her top beak missing, and it was chipped in some places! Her bottom beak is now slightly longer than her top part. I have no idea what could have caused this. She pecks at the ground and occasionally at the gravel, but could that have chipped her beak? I am worried that she won't be able to eat properly. I tried giving her her favorite treat-mealworms and mealworm beetles. It took her a while just to get one. What can I do to help her? I'm worried she won't get enough food to keep her healthy. Thankfully, their beaks grow back, but how long does this usually take? Is their anything I can give her to speed up this growth? Thank you ahead of time for any advice!

 

[CluckerFamily]

She could’ve hit something wrong with her beak or rubbed it on some wire.
Make sure the food dishes are deep. If the sore is scabbed over, you could also try a mash so that she eats more and everyone will love it also, they think it is a treat even though it is just their own food.

 

[danielle2003]

She could’ve hit something wrong with her beak or rubbed it on some wire.
Make sure the food dishes are deep. If the sore is scabbed over, you could also try a mash so that she eats more and everyone will love it also, they think it is a treat even though it is just their own food.

Thank you! I already give them crumble, but by mash, do you mean to wet it down (so it looks kind of like fermented feed)?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all,
A few days ago, I noticed that one of my Australorps had some of her top beak missing, and it was chipped in some places! Her bottom beak is now slightly longer than her top part. I have no idea what could have caused this. She pecks at the ground and occasionally at the gravel, but could that have chipped her beak? I am worried that she won't be able to eat properly. I tried giving her her favorite treat-mealworms and mealworm beetles. It took her a while just to get one. What can I do to help her? I'm worried she won't get enough food to keep her healthy. Thankfully, their beaks grow back, but how long does this usually take? Is their anything I can give her to speed up this growth? Thank you ahead of time for any advice!

Please post some photos.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Thank you! I already give them crumble, but by mash, do you mean to wet it down (so it looks kind of like fermented feed)?

Yes, just add a little water to a bowl of their feed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Please post some photos.

 

[danielle2003]

I'm sorry I took so long to post pictures. Here's a few...... She can barely pick anything up with it!

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

This happened to one of my hens I used to have. She recovered just fine. Just watch her and keep the food deep. Hope she gets better soon!

I'm sorry I took so long to post pictures. Here's a few...... She can barely pick anything up with it!
View attachment 2748808View attachment 2748809View attachment 2748820

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry I took so long to post pictures. Here's a few...... She can barely pick anything up with it!
View attachment 2748808View attachment 2748809View attachment 2748820

She'll be sore for a little while, but it should heal.
Check her crop at night to see that she's filling up. If not, then offer some wet mash (wet feed) for a few days.
She will learn to adapt.

It's fairly rough around the edges, that may smooth over time, but I would keep watch that it's not peeling. You can put a very thin layer of vaseline or vitamin E oil on the beak to help moisturize it. Give it several weeks, if she's not honed it down and it's still ragged, you can use the smooth side of an emery board to lightly smooth it out. Not too much filing, just blend slightly and lightly.