Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[jimnpaula]

Well, it's more like a large crack across about 2/3 of the end with an unbroken side, reminds me of a split nail. Poor Crystal has only just got over a chest infection with Tylan injections and now seems to be moulting. The chest infection developed just before we went on holiday (why do they wait until holidays to get sick?) and we noticed the beak the day after we got back so not sure when that happened.

 

Wondering what to do about the crack? She seems to be able to eat big things like bread cubes with Metacam (as advised by vet during illness) and whole blackberries, and pecks carefully at mixed corn and grass. Haven't spotted her drink yet but she's still in the run with her friends. She's a big Sussex hybrid about 3 yrs old and hasn't laid for ages.

 

Might try her with some melon in a bit, and call the vet for more metacam. My car's broken at the moment so hope they don't want me to bring her in.

 

Added: pic, please click the thumbnail picture. The break is the horizontal uppermost line. She's currently on her own, eating & pooping but still not sure on the drinking.

Edited September 3, 2013 by Guest

[Jenthelibrarian]

Poor Crystal!

 

At least it sounds as if she can eat, which must be haf the battle.

 

I'm sure someone once linked to an article about a chicken being given a replacement beak, I surely can't be making this up? I think the hen had been 'debeaked' in a battery system and a vet rebuilt it with epoxy resin.

 

Your vet, or someome else enterprising, may be able to do a repair with some sort of superglue or expoxy - my husband holds entire racing sailing dinghies together with the stuff

 

Hope something can be done, let us know how you, and Crystal, get on!

[jimnpaula]

During my research I have seen repairs done with teabag material and glue - I'm just a bit wary of glues in this instance as they can give off fumes as well as the obvious hazard of sticking the wrong things together. I'd be happier if she would drink something as she seems to be managing food. At least some of the melon I've given her will help there.... I wonder if she'd like courgette?

 

Does anyone know what will happen to her beak? Does it grow out eventually?

[Eggasperated]

Sorry to hear about Crystal - my girls love cucumber, that would help with her liquid intake as well.

[good_egg]

I'd be tempted to see if I could fix to stop it getting worse, but that might just be me! Poor crystal!

[jimnpaula]

Just an update: The tip broke off a few days later and she's managing to eat and drink no problem now although she did feel a bit thin. As she was/is still moulting I tried her with some catfood which she scoffed down easily.

It looks like it may be growing back too I think beaks, like fingernails, may well grow back properly if the quick hasn't been damaged.