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

[Rebeccaraye]

New picture of Stitch, our crossbeak ... "Cross-stitch".

I'm so worried her little tongue gets dried out since it's exposed all the time.

I feed her yogurt, but only a little. She's still eating okay with the others. Not sure how long that will last.

She is second in the pecking order so far.

Rebeccaraye

 

[Katt66]

Have you tried the wet feed? It is usually easier for them to scoop that up.

I've just this week started wetting the feed down, specifically for my crossed beak EE rooster, Peedles. But everybody else seems to be going crazy for it as well. For the first time in weeks, Peedles crop is full and he's not spending every waking moment eating. I also just trimmed his beak again, both top and bottom. Going to start doing it once a week on Sundays so I can keep track of when we've done it last more easily.

 

[NewToFarming]

He Is gorgeous! Glad he is eating better with the wet feed! Sorry I forgot to tell you how everyone will love the wet feed. I have to make a huge bowl full twice a day.

 

[HollyDelightly]

Lost my crossbeak EE, Juliet, at age 7 months. By 5 months she was really struggling to eat out of the feeders, so I used an old cat litter box and filled it with three or so inches of feed. The lid on the box kept the feed mostly in while all the girls had fun scratching around. Seemed like Juliet was able to twist her head in the right angle to scoop the food in her mouth. She started to gain weight and didn't seem so frantic. It was a really simple solution, so I hope others will try it!






After losing one of four hens to a dog, I introduced new hens two weeks ago and poor Juliet lost an eye during the pecking order fights. She became an inside chicken for awhile (lol) but she never recovered. Her journey was never an easy one- I never got an egg from her- but she always fought hard to be just like the big girls. I loved her and miss her dearly. My pretty girl.

 

[AlpineButterfly]

Sorry you lost your Juliet.

 

[KelsiNS]

Chewi has declared FF "Noms." Best idea ever!

 

[KelsiNS]

Chewi got a second trim today. First beak clip barely bled a drop- today her top beak bled so badly i evacuated her inside immediately. I blotted and dabbed and repeated. Finally put her back out (at feeding so as not to draw any attention-she ate indoors). Started dripping again. After more dabbing i decided just to rub some garden dirt on it.


Way to give me a heart attack, Chewi

 

[MaineiacJay]

That's why i use a Dremel on Furby. It takes longer and you need to be able to hold it steady, but i am able to sand it down until the first sight of blood since its hard to see the quick on a black beak. I'm always paranoid I'll cut to far back with clippers :/

 

[Katt66]

That and I keep the bottle of styptic powder close at hand as well.

 

[nettifer]

this is oddie R.I.P. i lost her this morning

my grandchildren found her

she was 6mths old i hatched her she followed us around like a dog and would fly into our arms! she was fine yesterday but was on the floor this morning

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...574939695079.146145.1301936448&type=1&theater