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

[bantambury]

My poor Cadbury is dead. My husband was taking care of the animals while he was home, and didn't keep the feeders full enough for her. They were all actually empty when I went in. So mad!

BantamB, a cross beak won't get better. You should get the chick used to her beak being filed ASAP.

I HATE it when things like that happen! always to the innocent.

im very sorry.....we both share a Cadbury......



we will always remember her.

 

[AlpineButterfly]

well, today I checked on my little old cross beak......it has fixed itself! (I hope forever....

hatch day the next day today
"well would you look at that!"


I have been monitoring her.....eatin AND drinking!

Glad your chick is doing well! I hope it doesn't get worse again. Glad you are keeping an eye on eating and drinking!
I was hopeful my little crossbeak wouldn't get worse, but as she grew, so did her crossbeak, so I file her beak every week now.

 

[atmaclean]

I am interested to know if anyone has made a bib for their cross beak? I have 2 and one of them is worse than the other. Michelle is an EE and is almost 2 years old and does rather well with her deformity. She lays an egg occasionally. I always keep fermented feed down for them and I keep pelleted feed for the "normal" chickens. I notice that the normal chickens like the fermented feed and will also eat it. I give fermented grains once a day but the fermented chicken feed is available all the time. Oh, I also have a cross beak guinea hen that will be a year old this spring. I guess it eats enough since it is still with us but it is next to impossible to catch it and assess its weight. It looks to be about the size of its siblings.

Beaker is my male ameracauna cross beak. His beak is more severe and he has trouble eating enough food. He is approaching a year old. I just gave him a bath yesterday and realized that he is staying wet on his chest and under his beak area most of the time. He even had some irritated skin under there. We have had some very chilly temps and I shudder to think of him being out in the coop at night even though I have heat emitters in the coop for them. So, I've brought him inside after his bath and when bathing him, I realized he is really, really thin! I will start tube feeding him at least a couple times a day and will be bringing him in at night or on really cold days.

I am just wondering if anyone has a pattern for a bib that chickens can wear to keep their chests dry when they have the cross beak that dribbles food and water all over themselves. I am not home all day long to dry him with a hair dryer if he gets wet. He eats basically all day when he is outside with his friends. I am sure he will still get himself wet if I don't make something for him to wear.

Any help or ideas on making a bib for him would be greatly appreciated!

Angela in NC

 

[BullChick]

I am interested to know if anyone has made a bib for their cross beak? I have 2 and one of them is worse than the other. Michelle is an EE and is almost 2 years old and does rather well with her deformity. She lays an egg occasionally. I always keep fermented feed down for them and I keep pelleted feed for the "normal" chickens. I notice that the normal chickens like the fermented feed and will also eat it. I give fermented grains once a day but the fermented chicken feed is available all the time. Oh, I also have a cross beak guinea hen that will be a year old this spring. I guess it eats enough since it is still with us but it is next to impossible to catch it and assess its weight. It looks to be about the size of its siblings.

Beaker is my male ameracauna cross beak. His beak is more severe and he has trouble eating enough food. He is approaching a year old. I just gave him a bath yesterday and realized that he is staying wet on his chest and under his beak area most of the time. He even had some irritated skin under there. We have had some very chilly temps and I shudder to think of him being out in the coop at night even though I have heat emitters in the coop for them. So, I've brought him inside after his bath and when bathing him, I realized he is really, really thin! I will start tube feeding him at least a couple times a day and will be bringing him in at night or on really cold days.

I am just wondering if anyone has a pattern for a bib that chickens can wear to keep their chests dry when they have the cross beak that dribbles food and water all over themselves. I am not home all day long to dry him with a hair dryer if he gets wet. He eats basically all day when he is outside with his friends. I am sure he will still get himself wet if I don't make something for him to wear.

Any help or ideas on making a bib for him would be greatly appreciated!

Angela in NC

You are a very smart person. Sounds like a great idea. Maybe a saddle put on backward? Make one, and start selling them!

 

[BullChick]

I did see that you guys expressed your sympathy a few weeks ago when Cadbury died. Thank you.

 

[atmaclean]

You are a very smart person. Sounds like a great idea. Maybe a saddle put on backward? Make one, and start selling t

I am thinking of a keyhole typed design around the neck then under the chest and it would hook over his back. My husband is great with the sewing machine (he repairs all our horse blankets, etc) and he is going to give it a try. I will post a picture once we get it all figured out. We need to look at material to see what will be workable and will keep him dry underneath without being too stiff....

Angela

 

[atmaclean]

BTW, I was so sorry to read about Cadbury's passing. I had started at the beginning of this thread and got through the first 10-15 pages and then started from the end and went back. I remember reading about Cadbury and your efforts with her. It seems like we can get so attached to these little feathered friends - especially the ones who we spend so much time with. I hope you can remember many happy days with her.
Sincerely,
Angela in NC

 

[BullChick]

BTW, I was so sorry to read about Cadbury's passing. I had started at the beginning of this thread and got through the first 10-15 pages and then started from the end and went back. I remember reading about Cadbury and your efforts with her. It seems like we can get so attached to these little feathered friends - especially the ones who we spend so much time with. I hope you can remember many happy days with her.
Sincerely,
Angela in NC

I walked into the coop this evening right after a shower. I felt dread because 9/10 of the time I walk out with FF or poop on me. Then I remembered that it was Cadbury that did it to me! I am sorry she is gone, but she sure did get me dirty!

 

[Nimby Chickens]

Just wanted to update about Bird- she is doing great. She's healthy and almost 2 years old now. Keep fighting the good fight- they can make it this long!

I am also very saddened to hear about Cadbury. My condolences, she was a very sweet little bird.

 

[BullChick]

Just wanted to update about Bird- she is doing great. She's healthy and almost 2 years old now. Keep fighting the good fight- they can make it this long!

I am also very saddened to hear about Cadbury. My condolences, she was a very sweet little bird.

Thank you.