EMERGENCY deformed chick struggling to eat normally

[chickens 4 life]

Hi my Bantam mixed hen, Moon, hatched out 15 chicks. One chick appeared odd out of the rest of them. He had no problem eating the first week. Then, he started developing this 'glob' on the bottom of his beak. His upper beak is longer than his bottom beak. None of the parents or grandparents had these defects. His embryo was normal like everyone else. Now he is struggling to swallow food and I don't know what's wrong or what to do. Theres saliva and food residue all over his face. He's now a little over 4 weeks old and developed this at week 2 1/2. First two photos are of week 1. 3rd is wk 2 1/2. 4th is a photo of his sibling. Last two are of him today. Please help this poor little guy!

 

[azygous]

Our hearts can't help going out to a little chick such as this. But picture this. You will spend intense hours nursing this chick along to either have it suffer and die anyway, or it will survive only to be tormented by its flock mates.

Chickens are brutal to any chicken that is "different" or is sickly. Also, I've spent months nursing a special needs chick to adulthood, and its relatively stunted size made it vulnerable to predators.

Chicks are easy to dispatch with sharp scissors severing the head from the body. Death couldn't be more instant or compassionate. No, there is no blood.

 

[chickens 4 life]

He’s a cutie for sure. Unfortunately I just don’t know how he’ll be able to function or thrive with a deformity like this long term. I wouldn’t know since I’ve never seen anything like it. Just things to think about. Give him some extra lovings for me.

He's way lighter and smaller then his siblings. Someone came to adopt the chicks today, and they have some experience with special needs. Hopefully he'll live a good life

 

[Patiocoturnix]

He's way lighter and smaller then his siblings. Someone came to adopt the chicks today, and they have some experience with special needs. Hopefully he'll live a good life

Hopefully if he does and you’re able to get in contact with the person who adopted him will you see if you can get us some pics as he grows up?

 

[PrettyChicky25]

Hi my Bantam mixed hen, Moon, hatched out 15 chicks. One chick appeared odd out of the rest of them. He had no problem eating the first week. Then, he started developing this 'glob' on the bottom of his beak. His upper beak is longer than his bottom beak. None of the parents or grandparents had these defects. His embryo was normal like everyone else. Now he is struggling to swallow food and I don't know what's wrong or what to do. Theres saliva and food residue all over his face. He's now a little over 4 weeks old and developed this at week 2 1/2. First two photos are of week 1. 3rd is wk 2 1/2. 4th is a photo of his sibling. Last two are of him today. Please help this poor little guy!

Please take this baby to a vet! Why would you even consider killing this bird?


Nevermind, just saw you got someone to help...thank you for helping him!

 

[muddy75]

Personally, I recommend culling this one. I’ve never encountered that particular defect but if it’s not able to eat well, culling is probably best

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I read it, but it said chicks that are older than 3 weeks will make it harder to cut and cause it pain... I can have my dad do it but it hurts to know it's in pain.

Having your Dad take care of this is best.

 

[The Chick Addict]

He's way lighter and smaller then his siblings. Someone came to adopt the chicks today, and they have some experience with special needs. Hopefully he'll live a good life

I'm so glad you gave him a chance!

 

[chickens4ver]

He's way lighter and smaller then his siblings. Someone came to adopt the chicks today, and they have some experience with special needs. Hopefully he'll live a good life

Yay! Thank you for not giving up on baby and finding someone to help

 

[The Chick Addict]

I find that the less traumatic (for Me) option is to drown them, give them kisses before and after and tell them how sorry I am. Still a horrible option, but if they have no chance of being able to fend for themselves at some point, then it is cruelty to the chick as well.

Or keep it as a house pet with diapers, special feeding routine and lots of care. I am sure it is capable of love, but probably not capable of the good life of a chicken.

I had to make that decision recently and it broke my heart. But the chick would not be able to walk other than on its "ankles" as the toes would not leave the position that they were it the egg. Usually deformities in my chicks seem to occur with the last couple of eggs that take much more time to hatch than their siblings. I made the decision to end its life early rather than prolong its' agony.

I'm sorry but drowning is very inhumane.