Cross beak Broken!! Please Help!!

[chickenkeeper12]

My crossbeak Silkie cracked her beak yesterday and she doesn't really move a lot. She hasn't been eating or drinking. What should I do. Please help!! She is my favorite chicken

 

[realsis]

You will likely have to start tube feeding.in a pinch you can use clean fish air hose line for the tube and a good food for the tube that flows nicely is called exact by kaytee. I'll post a picture of it.for the precise instructions on how to tube feed on BYC please put tube feeding in the search and you will find some links that show you how to do this. Its very important to feed her because she is not eating on her own. When you first tube feed it is a little nerving but after the first time you will become more comfortable with it.here is a picture of the food.i hope this helps. Also please look up tube feeding for the specifics. Best wishes

 

[casportpony]

Crop feeding videos

These are using a crop needle, not a plastic tube.

This one uses a tube like I use

​

Two great threads on how to tube feed:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-for-visuals-very-detailed-post#post_11652991

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...cken-and-give-subcutaneous-fluid#post_9910754


-Kathy

 

[realsis]

Great videos! Kathy where did you get your tube can you provide a link my tube is too small. Thanks

 

[casportpony]

This place has them.
https://www.finneganmedicalsupply.c...campaign=PLA&gclid=CMX37uLKirsCFcJ0QgoddwcAuA

 

[Triple Willow]

Some crossbeaks can eat fermented feed and it is very good for them.

 

[BantamLover21]

Will she try to eat anything? Maybe try moistening some feed, or giving her other soft foods, like yogurt or applesauce. But if she won't eat at all on her own, I would definitely begin tube feeding.

 

[casportpony]

Great videos! Kathy where did you get your tube can you provide a link my tube is too small. Thanks

If you're going to buy some tubes you might want to get a really big one, too... Size 30 works on all of my average sized chickens *and* it's large enough that crumbles mixed in water will flow through it.

French
Gauge Diameter
(mm) Diameter
(inches)
3 1 0.039
4 1.33 0.053
5 1.67 0.066
6 2 0.079
7 2.3 0.092
8 2.7 0.105
9 3 0.118
10 3.3 0.131
11 3.7 0.144
12 4 0.158
13 4.3 0.170
14 4.7 0.184
15 5 0.197
16 5.3 0.210
17 5.7 0.223
18 6 0.236
19 6.3 0.249
20 6.7 0.263
22 7.3 0.288
24 8 0.315
26 8.7 0.341
28 9.3 0.367
30 10 0.393
32 10.7 0.419
34 11.3 0.445​

-Kathy

 

[realsis]

Thank you kathy I ordered a few. I also found a bird tube feeding kit off amazon. The rubber tube is soft and you can cut it to fit.it comes with proper syringe. It seemed very nice so I also got that. I had a difficult time when my girls were sick using the small tube I had and my syringe was not exactly compatable.it worked but it wasn't easy so I'm buying these new ones to put into my emergency kit because you never know when you will need it. Its better to be prepared for a emergency I found that out. Thank you for your help Kathy.

 

[casportpony]

@chickenkeeper12 , now would be a good time to get a baseline weight on her, then weigh her ever few days at the same time in the morning. Weight loss = tube feeding, IMO.