2 chicks with BROKEN beaks

[shorty7978]

HI All,

I'm concerned I now have 2 chicks with broken beaks. They are both eating fine and seem to not be too upset by them but WHY is this happening. I have them on chick starter medicated and they get to free range in our backyard in the grass. They are about 3.5 weeks old. Is this because they are not getting enough calcium? Did I put the wrong kind of wire in the cage...its a little sharp and small holes. Are they breaking on something else and I'm missing it? I googled to see if this was going to kill them and looked on here. From what I read they should be fine as long as they can eat and they are eating but how do I stop this? Is there something I'm missing? Any ideas?

Sincerely
Laurie

 

[jmtcmkb]

Could they be pecking at the wire and damaging their beaks? I asked as mine did this when they were little and all of them had chunks missing from their beaks which grew back rather quickly- what I realized is my kids were feeding them grass through the 1/4" wire and they were frantically pecking at it to get the treat.

 

[shorty7978]

I think this is what is happening I think the bugs are swarming at night with the light on and they are pecking thru the wire. I have some different wire that I am going to put up on it tonight because I think the other wire is too small and too sharp. I looked at the oyster shell and it says to start at 8 weeks. so I think its the wire....