I had a cross beaked silkie a few years back and would feed her from a deep dish (as previously posted), but I also wet her crumbles thinking she might be able to grab them better. I also would trim her beak with a small dog guillotine -type nail clipper. She seemed to grow just fine with those measures. Good luck!
Thank you its her bottom beak that juts off to the left - she is eating out of a deep ceramic crock - so she will live here till she is really struggling!
The red on the shoulders makes me think it could be a roo...
But about the cross beak...hard to see but I think the main problem with this bird is that they neglected "her" beak. It's simply too long. If you can trim (and you'll probably hit blood so have either corn starch or better yet, a septic powder like QuickStop -- pet stores carry if for clipping nails, on hand) it back to a respectable length, I don't think this bird will have any problems eating.
You will need to trim it regularly (we do our's weekly) and he's also one of my favorite birds. Crossbeaks always manage to have the best personalities...so odd. Our's is an EE roo and holding his own in our flock. Crossbeaks usually spend more time at the feeders but as long as they aren't harassed away, it's no biggie.
Quote:
Thank you! I thought the same on the coloring from what i was reading. Right after the shots as a matter of fact a friend helped me trim the beaks back and looks better and is getting spoiled at this point with good food and eatign away! Only issue is that if it is a roo not sure where he will live permanently!
Understandable if you can't keep him but would be a shame...you've learned about trimming beaks and he's with a person who gets it that he matters...wonky beak and all.
So glad the trimming went well! Probably the first time in a long time he's been able to ingest that much food.
How could someone just toss the poor little one out like that!? How can someone do something like that!!?!??!?!? How how how!?
I'm so glad you scooped him up!
Some people....
Quote:
Well i mean i cant find a home for him - lets face it - beautiful as he is - not many are wanting a rooster and then one with a cross beak! Only i am sucker enough for that one! I just have to figure out the logistics here. He is fine where he is in a very large cage with roosts and food and all he needs . But i mean he cant live the rest of his life in a cage i would feel bad! Just dont know - he will stay just gotta find a place for him - grrrr