Yesterday my 5 week old chicks were on an “outing” outside and I noticed one had a hurt nail; the tip was broken off and it was bleeding. It was easily fixed with antibiotic ointment and some cornstarch to stop the blood flow. The broken tip fell off after some scratching in the grass.
Today a different chick (in their brooder in my house) also had a broken nail with dried blood in it. I fixed it the same way as the other chick’s.
I was wondering if the (weak nails?) issue came from a vitamin/nutrient deficiency or something else? A lack of scratching outdoors, maybe?
They eat this:
Today a different chick (in their brooder in my house) also had a broken nail with dried blood in it. I fixed it the same way as the other chick’s.
I was wondering if the (weak nails?) issue came from a vitamin/nutrient deficiency or something else? A lack of scratching outdoors, maybe?
They eat this: