Chick with scissor beak :(

[Birdsong 82]

From what I’ve read 1 in ever100 americaunas gets scissor beak. Just part of their breed from what I understand. My MIL has one but she can eat drink and seems to be happy and healthy but heard of others that have more difficulties. Guess maybe wait till she grows and see how she does

 

[PouleChick]

Ok so now nearly 2 weeks on and I'm starting to have some concerns about this chick. I have noticed in the last couple of days that he seems to only try to eat - the others run around jumping and flying up on to things etc but he just peck peck pecks all day. I have also noticed that he is cheeping all the time - it wasn't until he stopped that I kind of twigged it was him, not the others and I realised it is a constant thing (even when trying to eat I think). Yesteday I noticed that the wings seem to sit lower but then looking more today I wonder if his feathers are growing faster than him so they look funny. There is now a definate difference in size between him and his sibling. Here are some pics - sorry was hard to get them from the same angle.

The sibling:

Oh dear you can't see any size difference from the pics! You can see the feather difference though - the first one hasnt' grown enough to get to the end of his feathers.

Thoughts?

 

[PouleChick]

I've just been down locking them up and the others don't make a noise and it is just cheeping and pecking I'm not sure if he will make it - surely not normal to have to spend all day trying to eat then not growing as you should and cheeping

 

[Folly's place]

Scissor beak chickens need to have mash or finer crumbles, finer than the feed in this photo. They can't pick food up off the ground, or in the feeder, unless it's deep, and fine.
Sometimes one of these will survive for a time, but it's tough. Egg laying is a high energy activity, and it's hard for a cross beaked bird to eat enough to grow, much less lay lots of eggs.
I just euthanized a three week old bantam chick of mine, before he had issues. I've waited in the past, and it wasn't kind to the affected chick.
Mary

 

[PouleChick]

Scissor beak chickens need to have mash or finer crumbles, finer than the feed in this photo. They can't pick food up off the ground, or in the feeder, unless it's deep, and fine.
Sometimes one of these will survive for a time, but it's tough. Egg laying is a high energy activity, and it's hard for a cross beaked bird to eat enough to grow, much less lay lots of eggs.
I just euthanized a three week old bantam chick of mine, before he had issues. I've waited in the past, and it wasn't kind to the affected chick.
Mary

Thank you - this is the sort of feedback I need. This is the finest feed I've seen sold here in france and yes I think he is struggling but not sure I can even get my hands on anything smaller. I just dont' know what is best - I'm thinking you have the right way dealing with it sooner rather than later but it is so tough, this is my first hatch and I have never euthanized any before. I have looked at my options - no way can I cut it's head off - I thought the nicest sounding way is in a tupperware with the vinegar and bicarb as that seems pain free but my son finds that really upsetting so I would love some other options but not sure there are any! I spoke to the lady I got the eggs from and in the usual very pragmatic French way she said he'll work it out and eat enough or he won't but I dont' want him to suffer. He is quite sweet and the only one that lets me get anywhere near him. When you say deep - how deep should it be? Is there anyway I can make what I have easier - wet the food? I have a busy crazy life and a tthe end of the day these are meant to feed my family (although I do err on the slightly pet end of this!) - with everything else I have going on I dont' have time to be really having to hand feed etc just to keep alive. Tough decisions

 

[Folly's place]

Can you run some of the feed through a blender? Make it finer!
I 'cheated' and had gas anesthesia at the veterinarian's. Smooth and fast. It is hard to do the scissors thing.
This is a necessary part of livestock management, especially with hatching eggs.
So sorry!
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

The scissors thing isn't easy but it's fast and I'd rather have it over in an instant (and know 100% that it worked) instead of something more drawn out that may be easier on us as humans, but might not be as immediate for the animal.

 

[TK421]

A few years ago I had a meat bird with a much less dramatic scissor beak. He ate (or tried to eat) constantly. At processing time, He was less than half the size of the others and not worth the time to pluck and process and freeze. I felt guilty for not doing the right thing earlier. I know it’s hard but you’ll be saving everyone a lot of heartache if you decide to cull sooner than later.

 

[PouleChick]

I'm sorry I didn't see alert for your replies on this thread. Thank you so much for all your feedback. Since I last posted I have been overwhelmed with new chicks being born and getting eggs for my broody #3 and MIL arriving so haven't got on with doing anything about this chick. He is really sweet and races to me (knows where the food comes from!) which of course makes it a harder decision to make . I'm not sure any amount of food changes will ever help him - he hasn't grown - his feathers are Waaaaaaaay bigger than him and he is at least 1/2 the size of his siblings. Time for action l feel. I also spoke to my neighbour and she said you can buy ether from the pharmacy (or could a couple of years ago) here and it is very easy, you put some on a cloth and hold it over thier beak and they fall asleep then pass away. I think that sounds like a great option so I will ask tomorrow.

 

[Folly's place]

Ether will work very well, but remember that it's very very flammable!!! Get a tiny amount, and don't store it in the refrigerator, where it could explode sometime.
Mary