Backyard Poultry Forum

Hi All
I'm new to this backyard chicken business. Is my new girls beak okay. She feeds and drinks fine.

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

The photo is a bit out of focus but it does look like the upper part of her beak is damaged. If she’s eating and drinking fine then I wouldn’t worry about it though

Clearer photos and some shots from each side would be good if you have time to do that.

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Cheerio, Rach
Blue Swedish Ducks

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

That's best I can get. Don't want to scare her.

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

Thanks for the extra pic. The bit poking out to the side - is that part of her beak or is that her tongue?

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Cheerio, Rach
Blue Swedish Ducks

Part of her beak. My Dad seems to think she didn't get debeaked properly. She has no issues eating or drinking.

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

In you other post you said she was an Australorp - It is very unusual for them to be debeaked. It is sometimes done with commercial hybrid layers such as ISA as when overcrowded they can be vicious ,but is increasingly frowned upon and there are now strict guide lines as to how it is done. I would ask some questions from the seller and not purchase from them again if they are debeaking.

Yes I was told she's an Australorp. I will contact produce store she was purchased from. Thanks

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

I don't think she's pure Australorp with that eye colour and head shape.

It looks like the broken parts could be cleaned up a bit and filed smooth. Beak material is like your nails. The tip can be cut and filed without a problem but if you go too high it will bleed. I would clip off any excess on the sides with a pair of nail clippers and gently file any rough spots in the direct away from the head. The original tip appears to be gone. It will grow back in but you don't want it to break further or the splits to grow. It's a job easiest done with two people - one holds the bird and the other does the clipping and filing.

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Backyard Poultry Forum

What colour eyes should an Australorp have? Thanks for all the information. Very helpful.

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

Black or dark brown eyes for Australorps.

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Backyard Poultry Forum

I'm new to backyard chickens. I didn't realise. She must be crossed with something. What other breeds do they get breeding with? Do you know?

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

Sometimes produce stores are selling commercial hybrids made from black fowls crossed with others. They do a good job of laying eggs but they are not a purebred Australorp. The hybrid crosses come in black and brown and white. I think that's probably what you have.

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Backyard Poultry Forum

Thank you. I'm still happy with her. I like the greens I can see in the feathers.

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Four happy chickens started Dec 2017
Two Isa Browns and Two Australorp crosses.

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.