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

[realsis]

I'm so sorry for your loss! I also have a special needs cross beak. I've been so blessed with her. She is a little over a year old now. She's the best chicken anyone could ask for! Here is a picture of her pearching on the couch. Yes she's very spoiled!

 

[Katt66]

She's beautiful. Another silkie. <3


Does it seem to anybody else that Polish, Silkies, and EE's seem most prone to crossbeak? I can't honestly think of any other breeds I've seen it in.

 

[7&8]

I have a cross beaked Buff Orpington Plymouth Barred Rock. She manages very well without any special treatment. She's a good weight and a faithful layer.

 

[Rebeccaraye]

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]

She's beautiful. Another silkie. <3


Does it seem to anybody else that Polish, Silkies, and EE's seem most prone to crossbeak? I can't honestly think of any other breeds I've seen it in.

My crossbeak is a frizzle bantam cochin.

 

[suzyQlou]

For those feeding crossbeaks food mixed with water, any suggestions for freezing weather? I figure I can refresh food a couple times a day or try to keep the food warm. I use an electric heated dog dish for the regular water. Anyone try something similar for watery food?

 

[BullChick]

For those feeding crossbeaks food mixed with water, any suggestions for freezing weather? I figure I can refresh food a couple times a day or try to keep the food warm. I use an electric heated dog dish for the regular water. Anyone try something similar for watery food?

I fed fermented feed through the winter last year, and only once did it freeze. That was when the dish was almost empty. Maybe an inch deep, but I think less. Fermented things don't freeze well. Think about wine.

 

[Katt66]

Yeah we've had some painfully cold nights here already. By night time it's all gone though. XD

I fill the bowl in the morning when I let everybody out of the coop. Then before I go into work in the afternoon I'll check and if it needs topped off I fill it back up around 1-2 in the afternoon. My 10 chickens have it empty and practically licked clean by the time they go up into the coop for the night around 5 ish. The little bit that is left in there from time to time doesn't seem to freeze though just sort of dry up a bit.

 

[AlpineButterfly]

Violet's weekly beak trim. I'm still working on getting her lower beak short enough to fit under her top beak. I worry a little bit that is going to be too short, but so far she's doing ok. 28 weeks old here.

 

[fallenangel79]

this is handy she is a good girl. She is 5 week old.