Backyard Poultry Forum

Hi All

I just got two Australorps for the flock. One has a odd beak. I will attach a photo. I would greatly appreciate some advice. Will her beak change as she gets older, she is young only 16 weeks. Do I need to help her in any way? Should I return her? She seems able to eat and drink no problems. Thank you for any help.

From your photos it looks to me like a beak injury that has started to grow out. The beak is like a finger nail in that injury is painful when it occurs and can look a bit unsightly for a while, but it keeps growing and the injury will eventually disappear. As long as she has no trouble eating and drinking, and there is no sign of infection, I'd say she should be okay. My chooks with beak injuries to the tip have all recovered over time without problems.

Agree with Madchook. There is a slight risk that the beak will continue to split as it grows out. If this seems to be happening you can trim it back a little at a time with some clippers or use a file - treat it as a finger nail. There are some nerves in the beak but not on the tip.

Thank you everyone. I'm feeling much better. I will keep an eye out for infections. As I said, she has no issues eating and drinking.

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.
Two rooster's accidentally added to the bunch, cross Araucana and cross Ancona 2018

The extra bits have fallen off by themselves.

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.
Two rooster's accidentally added to the bunch, cross Araucana and cross Ancona 2018