Chick with Open Beak, How will it eat? - Photo!

[splashie]

This little guy was hatched this way, in the photo below, it it the chick in the front, the chick in the back has a normal beak.

The bottom of it's beak has a downward curve which prevents it from eating or drinking.

Not sure if anyone has ever had a chick like this or how to help it eat and drink.

It is a black tailed white Japanese, it was hatched yesterday, not even 24 hours yet.

I have seen it try to peck at the chick starter but it cannot pick anything up.

Any suggestions would really be appreciated!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/13678_beak.JPG[/url

 

[Southernbelle]

I'm sorry

Unless you're up for a lifetime of syringe feeding, it may be kinder to euthanize. I can't see the picture you posted, but that doesn't sound like the typical cross-beak. I'm so sorry...

 

[dlhunicorn]

If the issue cannot be altered by a severe trim back of the beak (which would also recquire a similar trim of the upper beak so the two are matching) then it might be kinder to cull.

 

[splashie]

Thanks for the responses, I thought the same, but wanted to know I was doing the right thing.

I tried to add another link to the photo, not sure if it worked.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I'm sorry too. Right now it's still full from its yolk sack lunch, but soon it will begin to starve & dehydrate on its own. Do you have a plan for culling chicks? Let us know if you need ideas or support. I bury culled chicks deep under bushes so at least their lives have a purpose in helping something else to grow -- and in that way, they continue to live...

 

[splashie]

Thanks so much Sunny_Side_Up,

Were ok with the culling, just hate to do it with such a healthy chick, normally the chicks are weak when we have to cull.

In the 100's of chicks we have hatched over the years, this is my first real deformity (i.e have had crooked toes) . Guess I shouldn't complain, they are very good odds.

Thanks again everyone who responded!