3 month old chick not eating or pecking correctly

[PippaC]

Hi there,
I have a strange question. My chick is 3 months old but she is not growing at all. She is like a third of the size of the others and they are all the same age. When she was growing she developed a hook beak which caused her lots of problems eating so over the course of the 3 months, we have carefully trimmed her beak so it's now usual looking. However, her eating has not improved (we think). I watch her eat every day and she is pecking at the food ALL THE TIME but I just don't know how much she is actually eating. I think not much. She eats a LOT of dirt, while the other ones eat bugs. It's weird cause her aim is right off. She'll be trying to eat ants and she pecks all over the place at them just not actually where the ant is. I've given her caterpillar things and she pecks them so much until they are buried under the dirt and she loses interest. She's never been the smartest tool in the shed but she's our favourite and I'm so worried. We sit with her once a day with food in our hand and make sure she eats, however I can't exactly tell how much she's swallowing. If anyone has any suggestions of what I should do, I would be so grateful! Does anyone think I should take her to the vet? Thanks in advance!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Could she have a problem with her eyesight? Look into each eye to see if the pupil (dark spot in middle) is perfectly round and normal size, and look for any cloudiness in the eyes. You might try giving her some feed with a little water mixed in like oatmeal to help her eat, and try a high-sided bowl. Soft scrambled egg and dry cat food are very good to help her put on weight and have more protein, but don't give her too much.

 

[PippaC]

That is a really good idea! I shall look at her eyes in the morning. That would really make sense. I did give her some ground up feed with water with a syringe. I put a little bit on my hand for her to peck and she was just completely missing it so the eyesight thing might have something to do with it. I will also give her some egg in the morning Thank you so much! I have my nervous fingers crossed!

 

[PippaC]

Hmm... eyes looked ok to me. I think we're just taking to spoon feeding her every day and hope that she improved over time. She looks happy and runs around. I'll keep an eye on her to see if anything changes.