Laydies of Letters Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Hey all, I've searched the forum but couldn't find any advice on cracked beaks. Vera has a crack, it looks a little like split finger nails. She may have had it for a while or it may hsve just happened, it is only in the past week I can hold her head still and get a good look! What (if anything) can I do to help her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 It will probably grow out. So long as it isn't sharp or jagged, and isn't bleeding at all, she should manage with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I think if you go to the vet they may glue it together or file it down. There have been posts about broken beaks, I know they have a nerve supply so it can hurt the hen if you try and do it yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laydies of Letters Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 thanks for the advice Eglutine and Plum! On further inspection, the crack on Vera's beak looks like it is heading down rather than towards her face so at worst she'll end up with a lop-sided smile for a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I would tke your chook to a chicken friendly vet. One of my girls had a small split, lengthways, at the end of her beak. I tool her to the Vet, and he trimmed it as far back as he could. It was full of stale food which would have gone very manky if her beak hadn't been clipped. After a week of beak growth, we went back, as the split was continuing. This time, he took it as far back as he could, literally to the Quick. The third time, he had to use surgical glue, and that's held it. However, the new growth may split and we need to get her to the vet the moment we see it split, so he can trim it before it becomes untrimmable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
