8 week old with crossbeak - Need Advice...

[happylittlehens]

* I posted this to the "Diary Of A Crossbeak:Special Need Chickens" thread but didn't get any responses. Maybe someone here can help me??

I am new to all things chicken and got the luck of the draw with a crossbeak EE girl. She is 8 weeks old and we just started noticing the crossbeak about a week or so ago. She's a little lighter than the other girls as far as weight but seems to be eating okay'ish'. When I went in to change water last night, her crop was empty so I hand fed her some chick starter. The poor thing has to work so hard at it, but does much better if I feed her out of a deep dish. When her crop was full, I closed up the coop for the night. This morning she had a full crop... How long does it normally take for the crop to empty? (edited: She had a full crop when I got home that evening also, so I assume she is eating ok). So I guess I will just keep an eye on her weight. Here is a pic of her. How severe does this crossbeak look? I don't know what to compare it to, to know if it's a mild or severe case... Also, does it look like I should start filing it down now? How long should I let it get? (not the best pics, it's hard to take a pic toward yourself and hold a squirming chicken at the same time! LOL) Thanks!


This is "Bones"

 

[dontlook2fly]

what i do is feed the chicken in bunches so she can be able to eat something but crosed beaks usually die from sarvation

 

[cafarmgirl]

It doesn't look to bad at this point. Sometimes they progress to where the chicken basically can't survive on it's on, sometimes they stay mild like what she's got now.

I definitely would not let it get too long before filing a bit on those outside edges. She'll likely need help keeping the tip from getting to long as well. If it doesn't progress she should do fine on her own.

If you have access to an avian vet they can sometimes help with keeping the beak filed correctly, especially as she grows, in an effort to minimize it.

 

[volvomum]

This is my cross beaked EE "Cheeks" (hard to photograph). She is fine, she can eat everything the other hens do, she is almost one year old. She is thriving just like the rest of the flock.

 

[happylittlehens]

This is my cross beaked EE "Cheeks" (hard to photograph). She is fine, she can eat everything the other hens do, she is almost one year old. She is thriving just like the rest of the flock.

"Bones" beak looks almost exactly like that! Glad to hear there is a chance of her having a normal life. I just hope it doens't get much worse. Did "cheeks" get worse as she got older or stay the same?

 

[happylittlehens]

It doesn't look to bad at this point. Sometimes they progress to where the chicken basically can't survive on it's on, sometimes they stay mild like what she's got now.

I definitely would not let it get too long before filing a bit on those outside edges. She'll likely need help keeping the tip from getting to long as well. If it doesn't progress she should do fine on her own.

If you have access to an avian vet they can sometimes help with keeping the beak filed correctly, especially as she grows, in an effort to minimize it.

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[volvomum]

I have not noticed much change in her beak...when I give mealworms, I am always sure to give her a little bit more. I would watch over Bones and see how she does eating different things. I hope this helps you a little. I am fairly new to chicken keeping, and really love having them around.

 

[Maligator]

I have a crossbeaked silkie mix and she is thriving just fine with everyone else with a little special treatment. I would start filing her beak ASAP. I have to file my girl's very often to keep it somewhat aligned properly to eat well. Be sure to have a blood stopping powder on hand. I use a hand file like an emery board and then a dremel. It can be rough when you are alone when they are super wiggly! I wrap mine in a blanket like a chicken burrito and set her on my lap, keeping her cradled with my legs while I work. I have to grind down one side more than the other, the bottom more than the top. It can be a pain, but worth it to keep that puppy trimmed back properly. I'm paranoid it will start growing long and then get to the point she can't properly pick up food!

 

[happylittlehens]

Thanks for the info! I may have to find a youtube video about how to file a crossbeak. I have clipped/filed dog nails before, but I'm afraid I might file a beak wrong and make it worse!