Cut feathers to avoid matting?

[Kiki]

I think they figured it out at this point.

 

[Painted Calls]

@JustBabyMargo has a good amount of cross beak experience.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Would it be okay if I cut her neck feathers? I have the deepest feeling that the answer is no, but I'm no chicken expert so I thought I should ask.

Actually I think trimming feathers may be okay as long as they aren't fresh blood feathers like when first coming in, though it probably won't stop the build up on top of the beak. They will grow back in after she molts.

When feeding wet mash, many of my EE chicks had their beards groomed off by other chicks due to the clumping you describe.

A starter feed with oyster shell is fine (probably the best). I usually do my oyster shell free choice.. but if she is actively laying then around 4% of her total daily intake would be about right.. I would imagine this is a by dry weight measurement.

Starter feed will have grit enough for itself but perhaps not enough grit to digest other treat stuff.. is she going to have ground access or be ranging with other birds also?

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Actually I think trimming feathers may be okay as long as they aren't fresh blood feathers like when first coming in, though it probably won't stop the build up on top of the beak. They will grow back in after she molts.

When feeding wet mash, many of my EE chicks had their beards groomed off by other chicks due to the clumping you describe.

A starter feed with oyster shell is fine (probably the best). I usually do my oyster shell free choice.. but if she is actively laying then around 4% of her total daily intake would be about right.. I would imagine this is a by dry weight measurement.

Starter feed will have grit enough for itself but perhaps not enough grit to digest other treat stuff.. is she going to have ground access or be ranging with other birds also?

Starter feed does not typically contain any grit.

 

[_dizzy_]

Have you tried raising the feed dish up higher...close to her neck height so she doesn't have to bend over/down to eat?

No I haven't tried this yet. I totally forgot that I read about that, that's one me...

 

[_dizzy_]

Actually I think trimming feathers may be okay as long as they aren't fresh blood feathers like when first coming in, though it probably won't stop the build up on top of the beak. They will grow back in after she molts.

When feeding wet mash, many of my EE chicks had their beards groomed off by other chicks due to the clumping you describe.

A starter feed with oyster shell is fine (probably the best). I usually do my oyster shell free choice.. but if she is actively laying then around 4% of her total daily intake would be about right.. I would imagine this is a by dry weight measurement.

Starter feed will have grit enough for itself but perhaps not enough grit to digest other treat stuff.. is she going to have ground access or be ranging with other birds also?

I don't believe the chick food has grit, but I can definitely buy some. She has another bowl in her pen with oyster shells too, but she hasn't touched it yet. She's laying almost daily despite being underweight. I might sprinkle some chick feed on top of the oyster shells so that she might eat a couple and get the idea of it.

And she does get free range time with the others. The others will let her join for free ranging, but won't let her into the main pen. I have a few babies that aren't ready to be put out. I think I'll have 1 or 2 of them live with her

 

[_dizzy_]

Here's another angle on her beak. I just washed her today so her feathers are looking nice, but I swear she's giving me stink eye still

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Oh, she’s a cutie. Have you ever trimmed her beak?

Have you ever considered tube feeding? I don’t tube feed my crossbeaks, but I have heard of doing it in severe cases such as this.

What kind of feeder do you use? Deep feeders make it easier and allow the chicken to scoop their beak into the feed. This allows them to not have to work as hard to get the feed into and down their beaks.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Starter feed does not typically contain any grit.

So none (grit) is basically only enough for itself (commercial starter feed) because it's pre-ground not because it has any grit included. I don't know what I was thinking. thanks for keeping me straight!

 

[_dizzy_]

Oh, she’s a cutie. Have you ever trimmed her beak?

Have you ever considered tube feeding? I don’t tube feed my crossbeaks, but I have heard of doing it in severe cases such as this.

What kind of feeder do you use? Deep feeders make it easier and allow the chicken to scoop their beak into the feed. This allows them to not have to work as hard to get the feed into and down their beaks.

I haven't trimmed her beak yet. She uses the slight hook to pick up food and get it to her tongue.

I've considered tube feeding, but I'm not feeling confident about attempting it at this moment. If she can't gain weight herself as fall closes in I'll try to get a vet appointment so he can show me how.

I use a no-slip dog bowl, it's about three inches deep and I refill it as often as I can with fresh mash. Earlier today I've raised it off the ground a little more with a rabbit litter box that's not in use and she did this.... She didn't get the idea that she wasn't supposed to stand on it