Cross beaks tongue drying out

[happylittlehens]

I have a 3 month old ee with a severe crossbeak. She has been able to eat ok and is obviously getting some fluids since she hasn't died in the 100 degree weather. But her tongue is drying out. The tip is completely dried up. I caught her trying to get some water and she is lapping it like a dog but barely getting anything. Is there anything I can do or is it time to cull? Poor thing...

 

[Pretty Poultry]

I have the same problem. Would love to get advice.

 

[Ladyorchid]

I went and got 3 hens today and the man I got them from told me that the roos had been mean to them and so some of their feathers were plucked out. they seem to be growing back but when I examined them I found the two red leghorns ,<hope this is right> have beaks that are not normal not really crossed but extra long or like someone cut the points flat. I called the man back and he said that the store he got them form which is a chicken hatchery cuts their beaks so they don't pluck each other is this normal? and will the beaks grow back can they forage as I let them free range and can they eat properly? I did do a lil trimming as these are adult hens 11 months old I am not breeding only gathering eggs for our own food. I have raised parrots and the like and had to do a lil trimming on one or two but never breed them they were pets. I hope this helps others and that someone will know if these girls will be good to go.

 

[robinwiththechickens]

Check out this thread for all sorts of great advice about Cross-beaks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-for-special-needs-chickens-and-their-keepers

My cross-beaker, Britney, has a partially dried out tongue too. It's almost like the tip of the tongue gets callused. Sometimes little pieces of it just flake off, but she doesn't seem to mind. Make sure she has a deep food and water dish that you keep full at all times. You also might consider mixing water with her regular feed to make a gruel, it seems to be easier for them to eat.

 

[Ladyorchid]

wish I could know if their beaks will grow back out normal like I said they were cut as if they cut the points off

 

[happylittlehens]

They will grow back. It is normal for them to do that if there are a lot of chickens packed close together.

 

[Ladyorchid]

They will grow back. It is normal for them to do that if there are a lot of chickens packed close together.

I know but I feel so sorry for her see runs around trying to catch the bugs and they just keep getting away I do think that it is trying to grow back tho

 

[MercyMe03]

A few years back a co worker of mine found an injured duck with its tongue hanging out. We called out local wild life sanctuary and they recommended we put some olive oil on his tongue to help keep the moisture in. She did and it really seemed to help.