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

[BullChick]

I made the mistake of showering. It has stopped raining, so I went ahead and put on a white T-shirt (not into wet t-shirt contests). I made dinner, and saved the vegetable and bread scraps. I went out, put on my coop boots, and entered. The mud was bad in front of the coop as I entered, and began my chores. With a flutter of wings, Cadburry landed on my shoulder to chat while I worked.
Should I mention the mud again? I am now decorated with it on my right shoulder and part of my back.
Despite my earlier concerns (maybe fifteen posts ago) I am now fairly certain that she is going to be around for a while longer. I am now waiting for her to start laying.

 

[The Lady]

HI, since I'm a nurse and have had experience with tubes, syringes,and all kinds of other things from delivering babies to sewing people up so I've seen it all. A good syringe to use would be an irrigation syringe. It has the plunger and increments/numbers on the side but does not have the lock that you mentioned. Instead it has a tapered end that's shaped just like the end of the red rubber catheter. Depending on the size syringe you get the tube/spout is usually about an inch to 1 1/4" long. This would be ideal since it probably wouldn't get clogged as easily because of the size of the tip. Another thing that I might mention is something that I give "Crossy" to supplement the chicken feed that she gets and that is white bread. I break it up in about dime size pieces for her and she manages that size well. I distract the other chickens with smaller pieces of the crust which "Crossy" can't handle. She and I have this routine - I distract the others and she circles around the perimeter, waiting for me to toss her piece just in front of her. It didn't take her long to figure out that she had to circle the crowd in order to get her piece in freedom. She looks forward to these treats - usuall 2 to 3 times a day. Which reminds me, I don't think I saw where you mentioned how many times a day you feed "Bird". Did I miss that? Thanks for you site. I plan to try some of the ideas others have mentioned. Regards, The Lady (by the way, that's what we call our house. It is an old 1870s farm house that we bought in disrepair. While we [my family and I] worked on her I kept singing the country song "She's a broken lady, waiting to be mended and what's left of the pieces, put back in place" by Larry Gatlin. That's how she got her name.)

 

[BullChick]

Cadburry eats on her own still (thank God! I dread having to tube feed), so I can only suggest that you feed two to three times a day, depending on how much she is eating. Like a new mother worrying that her baby is not getting enough from the breast, you can go by her waste and her weight.
Because she eats on her own with the other chickens, I at least make sure to give her time in the feed can while I do other things (10-20 minutes) or make her a thick mash of feed, water and whatever else is around.
Welcome to the special needs thread. BTW, great name for the house.

 

[2StrayRoos]

I have a crossbeak d'anver that is 12 weeks old. She is eating fine and has been all along. She is just as big as her sisters. Last weekend she developed a limp. I'm wondering if she hurt herself, d'anvers can be flighty or is a need for more vitamins. I'm giving her B complex now for the limp and was wondering about polyvisol after I give her the B complex. How often do you give them the polyvisol. Once or twice a week or everyday.

 

[cindersga]

I do not have sizzles or frizzles but I do have alot of silkies. I only have 3 splash hens but alot more of the blues, partridges (several variations), blacks & a few whites. I got tons of chicks growing out and do have a buff youngster that is looking boyish right now. He does have some blue mixed in the tail feathers.
I have to make the mash for my entire flock because they all think it is the best treat in the world and then I have a few that have to eat off of the spoon! They are crazy!
Are you saying your silkies look like this? This is Lucy Loo Loo after diving face first in the mash! LOL

Lisa ~ yes and worse, hahaha. My Delilah is white and her head is totally brown because of the mash. I can't keep her clean. She has it under her beak too and yes, they all love the mash. They devour it. What do you put in your mash? I've been told my black silkie is a boy. His name is Darkness. I think I only want one Roo, lol. The other 3 chicks look like they'll be hens and then I have the 3 older laying hens. I noticed Darkness going up to one of the older hens from behind and jumping on her with his wings spread wide. Is that the beginning of him making his move, tee hee?

 

[cindersga]

I have a crossbeak d'anver that is 12 weeks old. She is eating fine and has been all along. She is just as big as her sisters. Last weekend she developed a limp. I'm wondering if she hurt herself, d'anvers can be flighty or is a need for more vitamins. I'm giving her B complex now for the limp and was wondering about polyvisol after I give her the B complex. How often do you give them the polyvisol. Once or twice a week or everyday.

I gave my chick that had Wry Neck the polyvisol every day. I've read lots of postings on different reasons for a limp. You probably should take a look at the bottom of the chickens foot to make sure it isn't cut, hot to the touch, or swollen. Then look through the forums for your specific problem with your d'anver. Hope this helps some.

 

[cindersga]

I made the mistake of showering. It has stopped raining, so I went ahead and put on a white T-shirt (not into wet t-shirt contests). I made dinner, and saved the vegetable and bread scraps. I went out, put on my coop boots, and entered. The mud was bad in front of the coop as I entered, and began my chores. With a flutter of wings, Cadburry landed on my shoulder to chat while I worked.
Should I mention the mud again? I am now decorated with it on my right shoulder and part of my back.
Despite my earlier concerns (maybe fifteen posts ago) I am now fairly certain that she is going to be around for a while longer. I am now waiting for her to start laying.

That's funny! When I get Broke Beaks mash ready she flies up to my arm and starts eating out of the bowl. She flings it all over me. She has gotten into the habit of running into the house and squaking and if she is really inpatient she flies up to the countertop, which is granite and slippery, and she usually ends up sliding across and over the edge. Crazy bird. Just love her.

 

[2StrayRoos]

We checked it over good and it looks like the other foot. She picks it up before she takes a step then hobbles along. Fast little thing too. Worried about her, like she needs another problem. Eating good, pecks at the dirt alot thats why I thought lack of vitamins like her system needs something.I don't know wish she would get better

 

[Little Roughian]

Hey Everyone!! I'm so excited to find this thread. I was worried that my little chick was a freak of nature (I'm new to chickens), due to his odd beak. Thanks to some research I found out the my darling Stewie has a cross beak. I'm so happy to see that there are worse cases than him surviving and living a happy life. Gives me hope that he'll be fine. He's currently eating, drinking and growing like the rest. But I'm now a little more prepared for his future needs. Thanks so much for starting this!

 

[cindersga]

Lisa ~ yes and worse, hahaha. My Delilah is white and her head is totally brown because of the mash. I can't keep her clean. She has it under her beak too and yes, they all love the mash. They devour it. What do you put in your mash? I've been told my black silkie is a boy. His name is Darkness. I think I only want one Roo, lol. The other 3 chicks look like they'll be hens and then I have the 3 older laying hens. I noticed Darkness going up to one of the older hens from behind and jumping on her with his wings spread wide. Is that the beginning of him making his move, tee hee?

Here are some pictures of my mash loving Delilah: