10 day old crooked beak EE... is she going to be ok?

[Quailberries]

We found that our 10-day-old-EE pullet, Mercy, had a crooked beak forming around a week ago. Since then, it’s gotten a lot worse visually, but it doesn’t seem to be taking a toll on her quality of life at all. She drinks fine, and though she tends to spend a little bit more time with food than the other chicks do, her weight seems normal. We’ve been feeding her quite a bit of yogurt and oatmeal as they seem to be really easy for her to get down.

We’re worried that the beak is going to grow out far enough to the point where quality of life will be an issue. My family has no interest in culling her, but if we see that she is suffering we might have no choice. Any advice?

Our vet isn’t open until tomorrow, but we’re going to try and call in to see if any procedures can be done to help. I’ve heard sometimes using a dremel to shape the beak helps?

Thanks! (Sorry for the poor image quality, our brooder isn’t exactly the most well-lit place on earth :’) )

 

[21hens-incharge]

That is pretty bad.

I would stop the oats but give wet chick feed.
Mix chick feed with water to make a mash about the consistency of thick oatmeal.
The oats don't have the nutrition she needs.

It can be a lot of work to care for a cross beaked bird.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2016/05/causes-and-treatment-of-scissor-or.html?m=1

 

[ChocolateMouse]

There are ways to improve a cross beaked chicks quality of life but...

Cross beak runs rampant in EEs and I've had a few myself. Even with gentle beak trimming, corrective measures and wet mash for food they always suffer when they get crossbeak that young. It tends to keep getting worse for a while and they can't eat as much food. The sheer lack of nutrition despite free fed grower mash ended up making my last one with a crossbeak 2/3rds the size of her siblings at about 8 weeks. She also started sneezing and was always messy while the others weren't - it was extremely clear she was not thriving at all. The size difference was so startling and I decided to put her down and wished I had done it much sooner.

A crossbeaked chick CAN be kept around but it takes a lot of individual care, sometimes things like hand-feeding and likely more general vet care. Only you can decide if you have the energy to devote to that level of care for this chick. I suspect she will get much worse over the next few weeks, though. If there ends up being zero change she'd be OK but if it keeps getting worse - and I won't lie this is a bad case and will probably get much worse - you're in for a ride trying to keep the bird healthy.

 

[Abriana]

I have no experience with crossbeaks, but I just wanted to say that she is absolutely adorable and I hope that she makes it!

 

[Quailberries]

Update-

After a really rough night, we decided to cull her. Our family is heartbroken to see her pass, but we decided that our schedules would not allow for her to live out a full, happy life. The last thing we wanted was to see her suffer. Thank you all for helping us.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Update-

After a really rough night, we decided to cull her. Our family is heartbroken to see her pass, but we decided that our schedules would not allow for her to live out a full, happy life. The last thing we wanted was to see her suffer. Thank you all for helping us.

I'm sorry for your loss, but good on you for taking responsibility. I know it's difficult but you're in good company with your choices and it's probably best for the long-term. It's an important part of chicken keeping and while it's sad I'm glad things will be easier for both you and your flock as a result.

I hope all your other chicks stay healthy and strong!

 

[cmom]

This was my Gladys. She was 3 years old and taken by a fox a couple of months ago and I have been heart broken. She always wanted to be with us and loved to be held.

She jumped up on hubby's lap so I had to take a picture.

 

[cmom]

Gladys couldn't eat the pellets so I gave her crumbles and she ate those ok.