crossed bill chick

oldwynooche

Songster
11 Years
May 29, 2013
66
158
146
Wynooche Valley, Washington
Looking for suggestions for our 6 week old silver americaunus chick with a crossed bill. meaning the upper and lower bills do not meet and match, the upper curves left and the lower curves right. It needs extra time to eat and is not growing as fast as the others although the feathers are growing in and it has energy and is curious.
 
welcome-byc.gif
try the search box, I know I have seen a "Crossbeak support group" on BYC, it is a common problem in chickens and I'm sure there are good suggestions on dealing with it.

It's easier for them to eat if you pile up the food, so they can grab off the top rather than digging into a bowl.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan
big_smile.png


Unfortunately, most crossbills do not thrive (as you have already found). Depending on you tolerance for special care birds, you may be able to keep the bird alive, but I have resigned myself to culling these chicks as the ones I have dealt with ended up either dying or being culled at an older age - after you have had plenty of time to get attached.
 
HI everyone,
Our cross bill is still with us, her top bill is growing straight, but the bottom one is off to the left. Her top beak is growing in a curve, may have to get that looked at soon. She's smaller than the rest, however, she is growing and is a leader in the flock. She supervises anything we do in the chicken yard, sometimes from a perch on our hands, arms or shoulders, or else the middle of whatever we're doing. We'll see if she starts laying with the rest in a month or so.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom