Cross Beak Chick

[hunthaven]

Hi, everyone!
Yesterday was hatching day for my Lavender orpington. I hatched 8 of 11 with no problem, and 2 died probably on day 19 or 20. But one egg was still alive, but hadn't pipped internally. This morning, on day 22, I opened the egg to see what was going on. I opened the internal sac so the baby could breathe, and at lunch time I was applying coconut oil to keep the membranes from drying out--and that's when I realize she didn't have a piece of shell by her beak, she had major scissor beak. What to do? I googled and saw that some people have perfectly healthy hens with scissor beak, so I decided to help her out of the shell. Upon getting her out, I realized that she is also missing an eye on the left side of her head. Here's a video, if you want to see what she looks like: https://video214.com/play/P1VjamXOgjpni7XKXkbF3A/s/dark

I don't know if she'll survive at all, but I wondered if any of you had advice for me?

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

You will have to soak the feed and have it’s in a deep bowl for the chick, I would see how she does, but if she does not act normal or is suffering I would put her down

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Hi, everyone!
Yesterday was hatching day for my Lavender orpington. I hatched 8 of 11 with no problem, and 2 died probably on day 19 or 20. But one egg was still alive, but hadn't pipped internally. This morning, on day 22, I opened the egg to see what was going on. I opened the internal sac so the baby could breathe, and at lunch time I was applying coconut oil to keep the membranes from drying out--and that's when I realize she didn't have a piece of shell by her beak, she had major scissor beak. What to do? I googled and saw that some people have perfectly healthy hens with scissor beak, so I decided to help her out of the shell. Upon getting her out, I realized that she is also missing an eye on the left side of her head. Here's a video, if you want to see what she looks like: https://video214.com/play/P1VjamXOgjpni7XKXkbF3A/s/dark

I don't know if she'll survive at all, but I wondered if any of you had advice for me?

What a beautiful little video. How sad for that little chick, looks like her scissor beak is really bad and with only one eye she will probably have a lot of problems eating. I have a chicken that is blind in one eye and I really have to watch out for her. She may not last long with all those problems and probably has other things going on internally. I know it’s sad to watch. I would just try to make her comfortable until her time comes.

 

[21hens-incharge]

That IS pretty severe.

Only time will tell long term.

I have a 3 year old BO with minor crossing. I make sure that I give wet mash every day without fail.

Sending best wishes for the chick.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I haven't personally dealt with scissor/crossbeak in hatchlings, but have encountered other issues (I have a visually-impaired Muscovy drake who leads a good, active life). Sometimes animals can surprise us - if you're committed to seeing it through, it's always possible she could have a good quality of life. It's part of the "agony and ecstasy" of incubation, IMO...and I keep on doing it.

Best wishes for your little special needs chick!

 

[hunthaven]

You will have to soak the feed and have it’s in a deep bowl for the chick, I would see how she does, but if she does not act normal or is suffering I would put her down

Thank you--I agree. I will not allow her to suffer needlessly, but if she can get along okay, then why not?

 

[hunthaven]

Update: I put "Hope" (her new name) in with the other hatchlings, and she is fitting right in. I let a drop of water dangle from a syringe, and she took it. I know she'll have to drink from a high waterer, because otherwise the water won't stay in her beak. She's actually doing a lot better than the chick from another assisted hatch I had to do--I made sure not to break any blood vessels, and she had absorbed all the yoke, but hours later, she still isn't walking and doesn't look good. She just lies there and breathes heavily. I have her in the brooder, but I put a protective screen "fence" around her so the others wouldn't pick on her. I have no idea what's wrong--maybe mushy chick?--but it doesn't look like she's going to make it. But I've been surprised before!

 

[lutherpug]

Thank you--I agree. I will not allow her to suffer needlessly, but if she can get along okay, then why not?

Your scissor beak chick may fare just fine (many do) but please do right by her if the time comes. I had a chick with severe scissor beak a few years ago and I just didn’t have the heart to cull her as she was so, so sweet and affectionate. I thought she was getting enough to eat. In hindsight, she was so affectionate because she was so hungry and saw me as her only viable source for food. She eventually died and probably suffered. I’m not saying that any of this will be relevant to your chick, just be very honest with yourself as you watch her progress. Best of luck.