Hi
I'm new to the whole chicken raising thing, and my Americana has a severe cross bill. It's gotten worse since she was hatched. She is now about 8 weeks and still somehow surviving. I would like to help her as much as I can. I read someone pushed theirs back into line then taped the beak for 2 days and it worked. Do you think I can do the same here? Or will I hurt her? I love her dearly and I am willing to hand feed if necessary. So if that's the case, is there some kind of recipe to make a stew for chickens that I can use a dropper and keep her sustained? Thanks so much. I'm a mess about this
Hi. I new also but am getting huge amounts of experience at once (and I research 6 hours a day. lol). I've heard everything about scissor beak from cull right away, to one woman who found a way to make it work (sorry I don't remember where so I can give her credit and you more info) They were able to maintenance a balance nieces hey worked all day. The poor chick could eat without help, so they made some oatmeal sticky mixture (apparently scissor beaks can scoop up thinker easier as well as scoop up water). Hey found what worked for them. (update- I was reading through this thread again and I think it was
nurschic I was referring to)
I don't think I could do that every day (logistically every day, but will do everything
I can do!)-Some people never cut/trim scissor beaks, some wait, sometimes it's to bad and the chick must be put down. I guess it depends on how bad, how much you are wiling to invest into it. I've also been told it can occur at anything in their lives, even if their beaks were perfect, and can be caused by injuries but just incase still do not breed. (that from a 'quality hatchery who had 17 years into this breed.) - I still prefer not using hatcheries. I've heard the rubber bands don't really work. I've seen pics of just one beak trimmed (upper or lower I couldn't remember, thus my post). Upper trimming seems to make sense to me, but I get so afraid (like many newbies, that I'm going to do something wrong), and I've seen pictures of no cuts and both upper and lower hard cut. If you cut, you may need to cut the quick"? if you waited too long ...so have some Styptic powder on hand to stop bleeding (and do not return the chick to group until all signs of blood and weakness are gone. Chickens are brutal if they see/smell/sense weakness or illness in other chickens. They will get in line to kill that poor chick! Grrr! ) I've experienced a number of times with this has shocked me)
Blu cote- I've read enough that it works. It is supposed to cover blood, I've never used, so chick can return to flock sooner. If you decide to/or trim, I've read it is only approximately needed once every 3 months. Just make sure if you don't trim the beak, and you keep the chick, they need deep food and water bowls since they can't peck, most an only scoop. - of course watch it closely- starvation and dehydration wold be a terrible way to die for the chick. For me this would be problematic to feed every day separate. too many chickens to really keep an eye on that for me who is already dong 5 different feeding types). No matter what, do not feel bad about your decision. Everyone is different. Big factories throw live chickens into macerators to be ground up just because they are males. Discusting - just for being male! They don't live in cities where law says they can't have roosters - I don't see any need for that. I know you are on this site because you care! I am trying to raise our chickens with european rules for the most part (more humane, but will have to supplement business in other areas to make a profit and use humane methods.) Lindsay, you have a valid reason to do what ever you need to do, what your resources (time & effort) are, and the chicks happiness. Some people get to invested (probably will be me) and it's worse if the chick only lives 8 months and prefer not to go through that. Here's another point of view,
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it.html. My BF trimmed my bantom's beak for me earlier tonight. We have special places for sick birds, and we will keep him in with a friend for a while. I sure hope my self-blue d'ucclee does okay (hopefully) so he gets the special attention he needs in a large flock. It's life, I thought he was cute before, now he moved up bunches in my heart. Good luck with your decision. I hope something was helpful in my ramble
