Chick with cross beak

[kannna]

THis is Buckbeak at about 4 weeks. SHe's 6 now.

She keeps up with the other girls and is the same size as them. I put feed and some grit in a cool whip container for her so she can scoop it out but other than that she gets no special treatment. She is one of my prettiest EEs and has the poofiest cheeks now.

 

[countrygirl911]

she is beautiful she does eat and drink i can not tell how much but i do see her go to the water container and the feeder i have a 5 gallon waterier and a 20 pound feeder and they are deep but not sure if they are deep enough they are huge feeders and waterier's i am not sure how to trim beaks and we do not have a vet no where close that deals with chickens just cats and dogs is there any way it could correct itsself since it only showed up in the past week or two i will watch her more closely tomorrow as she eats to make sure she is getting enough if i have to i will separate her from the LF chickens in there with her until the new coop is built this weekend and her and her 3 sisters can go into once finished. she is close to the same size as her sisters she is only a tiny bit smaller but you would really have to look at them close together to see the difference. i appreciate all the helpful tips and if she starts to show signs of malnutrition ( if someone could please tell me what to look for it would be greatly appreciated) i will have DH cull her so she does not suffer i will try to get a picture of her whole body to show you how small she is tomorrow.

 

[Barredacauna]

my friend had a problem just like this... That hen got the axe, the best bet is to just go ahead and kill her she wont be getting the nutrients she needs, if she can even eat down the road.. sorry it had to turn out like this

 

[Blue_Myst]

She sounds like she's doing well for a chick in her condition! As for signs of malnutrition, you can usually fell how thin a hen is under her (what would you call it, keel bone? breast bone?). Thought this might not be very accurate until she's a little older. Growing chicks are as skinny as pencils.

You'll know malnutrition when you see it. She won't look well at all--poor feather condition, perhaps even leg problems, and just sitting around. It's your call. If you see her bouncing around and happily enjoying life without any pain, you could definitely keep her. She may need special care from time to time. It's up to you!

 

[countrygirl911]

right now she hides most of the day except for to eat drink and poo it is hot and she has found a small space in the coop where she can fit and the others can not she is in with LF chickens right now but hope to have her in the new coop by this weekend i think i am going to keep her but is she shows signs of getting sick then i will have my DH put her down so she will not suffer i was told that i have to make sure she gets enough to eat and drink and to soften up her some food and let her eat it to make sure that she gets something to eat and to be on the safe side since we can not tell how much she is actually eating out of the feeder in the coop. they also suggested to use the pedipaws that you use on cats and dogs toenails to trim her beak every so often so it does not get to long and keeps her from eating and drinking. DH says i should put her down now but i want to give her a chance this is my first silkie i have 3 that are a week old but she is my first and the one that got me to love silkies

 

[Roo on Harley]

For now, try a Craisin, then let me think...make sure she has fresh water.

 

[countrygirl911]

what is a Craisin

 

[Roo on Harley]

Craisin is a treat for PPL lol...Ocean Spray make them, chicken like them too,,,so eat up if they like...otherwise tell me there is another problem.

 

[DaughterOfEve]

It all boils down to this. If you are able to make the commitment to provide the extra care to a disabled chick, special feeders and waterers, possibly grind food to a mash, trim beak possibly weekly, deal with any pecking order issues, etc. Then keep it. If the commitment is more than you are able to provide then cull sooner than later.

Only you can make the decision.

 

[Roo on Harley]

Quote:
Next time you see a Rooster riding on a Harley, think of the time I spent with it. Feed a Craisin Get a Chicken