Crossed beak not putting on wt. @ same rate. *New Pics*

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I have a crossed beaked 6 wk old pullet that I'm worried about. I've weighed three birds: 1) robust BR, 2) smallish BO and 3)crossed beak EE. The first two birds put on 22 grams a day, the EE only 15 grams. Will this mean that the EE will just not develop as well and will be thin most of it's life or does this mean that this bird is slowly starving? I don't want this bird to starve to death so I'm really trying to figure it out. Please, what do you think?? Thanks

(I had this posted under Raising Baby Chicks but no response. Anyone?















edited Subject to add pics

 

[elem]

If you search for "crossed beak" you'll probably find a lot of information. I haven't had a crossed beak chicken but from what I've read their feed has to be deeper so that they can get it into their beak. Or you could try feeding it separately from the other chicks - make a sort of liquid-y mix of feed, water, yogurt, or egg to try and get more nutrients in. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Thanks, I did read all of those posts. I have a deep crock in the pen that I top off 2x a day. I see her eating but I'm not sure she's getting enough so that's why I started weighing her (then two others so I have something to compare to).

 

[gpamela3499]

I had a crossed beak chick. I love it so much. As it grew the defect became more pronounced and finally I had to see it was in fact starving. The hardest thing I ever had to do was cull it. I think a lot depends on how the beak is crossed. Some people have had great success and have healthy happy birds. In my case no matter what I tried it was still starving or I was force feeding it. Use your own feeling on the matter cull if necessary for the sake of your pullet.

 

[UrbanEgg]

Last year was my first year raising chickens and I learned a lot--sometimes unfortunately. In the spring I bought 4 chicks of different varieties. I only had a general idea of how big each would get. My one Americana had a cross beak that became more and more pronounced as it grew too. I fed it crumble food as it got to laying age (vs pellets) so that it would get the most food possible. It was still very small, but it was growing. It never did start laying and finally one day when it was about 9/10 months old I found it dead in the run. I don't think an animal got to it, I think it just starved. I felt so bad that I didn't realize it was starving. It seemed fine that morning even, not lethargic or anything, bouncing around with the others. But that was the only conclusion I could come to. It just never got very big--poor thing

.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Thank you UrbanEgg & gpamela3499 for sharing your sad stories with me ... I think I know what I need to do. She's very sweet, active, etc. but I keep weighing her and she is only gaining weight at half the rate that the others are. I watch her eat for long periods of time and feel her crop. It's empty.

I would rather she leave the world on top then to leave it miserable. I think I'll hand feed her and let her feel full and happy...sadly her last meal

 

[gpamela3499]

 

[Kim_NC]

I have a crossed beak EE that came from another farm as a grown pullet, so I didn't see her as a chick. She's the same size as her flock mates though, and lays well. I have noticed that pellets and larger pieces of treats are much easier for her to eat. She also dips her beak to drink many more times than a typical bird. She can't collect as much water in her beak when drinking.

I can't use her for breeding, but as long as she lays well, she can stay here. (Our flocks aren't pets.)

Best wishes with yours.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Generally, cross beaks have a harder time eating food. Some people have been able to keep a cross beak with no problem by putting deep food bowls out for the chickens, making it easier cross beak to eat. I think it really depends on which beak is really crossed. I have seen some where the bottom beak is straight and the top is crossed. Those ones have a a little easier time surviving. I had one that had a straight (but curved downward) top beak with a severely crossed bottom beak. Regardless how deep the bowl was (and I would separate him so he could eat), he couldn't enough food. Ht got skinnier and skinner and we finally culled him, so he wouldn't suffer anymore.

If you don't use a deep bowl, try it and see it if helps. If the hen still remains skinny afterward a while, then she is likely slowing starving to death. She won't put weight on really fast, but if her stools are normal, than she is ok. If they are green, then she isn't getting enough food.

Hope all works out!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I hand fed her twice today and picked up some pellets to see if she'll start eating those (so far no one will touch them). I took some pictures today. If anyone has had a bird survive and do well with a beak this deformed then I'll keep trying.

When I first noticed it the bird was only 3 weeks old: Now a few weeks later: