Our barred plymouth rock pullet (hatched June 2021) has some damage to the very tip of her beak.
Is this an injury or a normal process like molting?
Some of the other pullets have little cracks on their beaks sometimes but none of them have damage to the tip. The cracks are always in the spot where (if chickens wore glasses) that I imagine the bridge of a pair of glasses would rest.
The pullet in question does seem like her beak is more sensitive now. We hand-feed our girls greens and fruits as treats. She does not peck at them as often or with as much enthusiasm as before. When she does go for a treat, she holds her beak open for a few moments after as if in discomfort.
She seems to still be eating normally and will enthusiastically take bite-sized treats without issue.
Other information about our flock:
Total number of birds: 5 pullets from the same chick order
Habitat: enclosed 8 ft x 8 ft pen with attached coop
Diet:
We would love some insight into the following:
Pictures are below. Thank you!
Is this an injury or a normal process like molting?
Some of the other pullets have little cracks on their beaks sometimes but none of them have damage to the tip. The cracks are always in the spot where (if chickens wore glasses) that I imagine the bridge of a pair of glasses would rest.
The pullet in question does seem like her beak is more sensitive now. We hand-feed our girls greens and fruits as treats. She does not peck at them as often or with as much enthusiasm as before. When she does go for a treat, she holds her beak open for a few moments after as if in discomfort.
She seems to still be eating normally and will enthusiastically take bite-sized treats without issue.
Other information about our flock:
Total number of birds: 5 pullets from the same chick order
Habitat: enclosed 8 ft x 8 ft pen with attached coop
Diet:
June-September: chick crumbles
October-November: All-Flock pellets and oyster shell offered in a different container
Now: Layer crumbles with oyster shell available
We would love some insight into the following:
- is this normal or is it an injury?
- does it need any immediate attention (cleaning, diet supplements, etc.)
- if it is an injury, what might have caused it?
Pictures are below. Thank you!