Diary of a Crossbeak: Support for Special Needs Chickens and their Keepers

[Lobzi]

The last one is hard to see. I didnt use a flash as it was nearly impossible to catch Crossbeak head on. I must have taken 40 pics to get a few. I had to lighten this last one but you can sort of see what looks like a piece of straw to the left of the beak. That is its lower portion. This little one was eating like crazy when I was photoing it. So far so good with its chance to survive.

 

[Lobzi]

The last one is hard to see. I didnt use a flash as it was nearly impossible to catch Crossbeak head on. I must have taken 40 pics to get a few. I had to lighten this last one but you can sort of see what looks like a piece of straw to the left of the beak. That is its lower portion. This little one was eating like crazy when I was photoing it. So far so good with its chance to survive.

 

[Lobzi]

Sorry for the multiple sendings of pic but my Internet connection was acting up

 

[CowgirlPenny]

One of my 9 day old Salmon Faverolle girls has a crossbeak. It's pretty mild right now, but I assume will only worsen as she gets older.

Question....


Could I not just feed my hens regularly in the morning, then also feed them ALL the mash stuff later on in the day so that she can attempt to eat with the hens first, but for sure eat later on? I don't want to cull her but I don't know that I have time to guard a food bowl from 20 other hens for half an hour daily while she eats.

Will she do normal chicken things? Forage? Roost?

Also, would something like Sav-a-chick be useful to her at this age? She is by far my most sleepy chick. She looks good though, seems to be growing ok. She's the same size as my other Faverolle that does not have a crossbeak. But she sleeps a lot and usually right under the heat lamp where the others sleep farther away and all together. She seems to sleep alone.

 

[ClassyChicks]

she is precious!

 

[BullChick]

One of my 9 day old Salmon Faverolle girls has a crossbeak. It's pretty mild right now, but I assume will only worsen as she gets older.

Question....


Could I not just feed my hens regularly in the morning, then also feed them ALL the mash stuff later on in the day so that she can attempt to eat with the hens first, but for sure eat later on? I don't want to cull her but I don't know that I have time to guard a food bowl from 20 other hens for half an hour daily while she eats.

Will she do normal chicken things? Forage? Roost?

Also, would something like Sav-a-chick be useful to her at this age? She is by far my most sleepy chick. She looks good though, seems to be growing ok. She's the same size as my other Faverolle that does not have a crossbeak. But she sleeps a lot and usually right under the heat lamp where the others sleep farther away and all together. She seems to sleep alone.

Yes, let her eat with the others. As she ages, you will need to file or clip the end of her beak, but it is possible that she will always be able to eat with the others. she can forage if her beak isn't too bad. She will try no matter what. She will roost with the others. Sav a Chick is a great idea.

 

[BullChick]

I am still having a problem with food stuck in Cadbury's feathers. She went crazy when I tried to bath her, and clipping the food out didn't go so well either. Is there a way to soften the food so I can wash it out quickly?

 

[dolphinlvr4]

Ok, first of all kudos to u for not looking past an animal that clearly needed a caring human. They always say animals know who loves them n who doesn't. So Ty for making this thread because I'm new to having chickens. I have 3 three mo old golden buffs outside and 1 RIR and 2 barred rocks inside ( they r 3 weeks old). Ive just always wanted hens for fresh eggs and I would have never thought I'd get so attached. But I am. My question is ( forgive me if this sounds stupidly simplistic)but can u reshape a beak or anything like that? As in filing it down so eating is a bit easier?

 

[BullChick]

Ok, first of all kudos to u for not looking past an animal that clearly needed a caring human. They always say animals know who loves them n who doesn't. So Ty for making this thread because I'm new to having chickens. I have 3 three mo old golden buffs outside and 1 RIR and 2 barred rocks inside ( they r 3 weeks old). Ive just always wanted hens for fresh eggs and I would have never thought I'd get so attached. But I am. My question is ( forgive me if this sounds stupidly simplistic)but can u reshape a beak or anything like that? As in filing it down so eating is a bit easier?

Yes, you can file it down. Most use a Pedi-Paws it seems. Clipping can be done with toenail clippers.

 

[chicken pickin]

I havent read through the thread yet but wanted to introduce my crossbeak chick. She is 2 weeks and 3 days old today with a very pronounced cross beak. She is my very first cross beak chick and hopefully my last

I feel for her

My kids have named her Peaches