Broken Beak

[Bephlam]

Well...here goes again...another chicken accident.

When I got home from work today I notice that Bertha had some blood on her face. Of course, a full inspection was in order...and...it appears Bertha has managed to break her beak. The break starts at the side of the nostril...and goes down to the edge. It looks like it's lifted up slightly, but she's eating and drinking fine. She gets VERY distressed if I try to touch it or anything...so...question is...

what do you think I should do with it?

She's currently in the garden being chased around for a black slug, so she's not ill...it just doesn't look nice.

[HayleyB]

Crikey, I'd keep a close eye on it, I don't think there is much you could do really. It might well snap a bit off at some point like a nail in a weak spot.

[lynda66]

is it still bleeding? is the break dangling? i would expect if it has a blood supply where the break is, it would grow back if the crack is set right like a bone? but if it's dangling then it would need keeping together somehow while it healed.

if it is dangling and the blood supply to the dangling bit is cut off then it will probably just die and drop off or need removing.

[lynda66]

Crikey, I'd keep a close eye on it, I don't think there is much you could do really. It might well snap a bit off at some point like a nail in a weak spot.

i was thinking about some kind of araldite i know they use that on tortoise shells to seal them, but you have to use a COLD setting one or it will burn the chook.

[Bephlam]

It's not hanging off....it's still fixed solid, just looks like it's lifted up a tiny wee bit more than normal. If I snaps off she'll be completely without the top part of her beak...I mean in it's entirety, because it's so far back. I hope that doesn't happen!!

I thought about sealing it with something, but I'm scared I hurt her more. She's not bothered by it....will a crack seal then eventually repair? It's something I know NOTHING about!

Poor Bertha!

[lynda66]

yeah i would expect it to keep growing but i think it needs to be put back in place as once it is in place it will be more comfortable for her, (like broken bones but with a blood supply) and heal quicker, there are lots of nerves in the beak. and if it stays in place, it should be ok and grow back, but i would definitely put something over it to stabilise it and stop her catching it on anything.

[Glutton4...]

How good's your local Vet? Mine would superglue it or something, but I guess you live a bit too far away!

[HayleyB]

Lordy if it's that high then you'd need to secure it like lynda says. There must be some sort of super glue that can be used. The problem will be keeping her still or you could end up with superglue trouble

[Flummery]

I'd ring the vet for advice. I know I read about a parrot that snapped part of its beak and it re-grew. However, you hear about de-beaking being painful for chickens and some of the don't grow back properly. Beaks are a mystery to me. One of ours, Topaz, had a slightly crossed beak when she came. It's now worn away nice and smooth. I think I'd ring a vet just to set my own mind at rest.

[MaureenHall]

Crikey!! It sounds dreadful. Definitely phone the vet, I think a good one would be able to superglue it. The problem could be keeping her still enough to let him do it - perhaps wrap her tightly in a towel or something?

[frias]

Definately a visit to the vet. Having taken several of mine I found they were very quiet and easy to hold at the vets.

[Bephlam]

It's not as nasty as it sounds really.....I think I'm going to leave her for a day or two to see if it causes any problems. If not...then hope it seals....if we have problems, then we'll visit the vet. )

Update -- just been out to look at it. I tried to push it back in to place, but it keeps springing back out. I think it'll heal (grow out) as long as she doesn't catch it on anything else.

She's making lots of noise in protest about being man handled...lol...it's usually for treats!

I'll keep you updated on her progress....oh this chicken keeping is a worry....still, another learning curve for us all.

[CoraxAurata]

I suggest using superglue (which is used as an emergency measure on humans by a freind of mine) or use the old hangnail rescue of clear (not red!) nail varnish and tissue paper to protect and support it/imobilise it until such time as it grows out some.. It should grow out eventually (my cockerel chipped a good part of his beak off attacking a metal bucket and it grew back in a few weeks). If its hard for her to peck she may need her food in a deeper dish for a few days (so she can pick the food up without hitting the bottom of the tub or the ground).

[frias]

How's the patient? Makes me feel queasy thinking about it. (I'm not bad at nursing humans but go to pieces with animals)

[RichmondHens]

Ha Ha - I'm the other way round - rubbish with humans but ok with animals (grew up on a farm).