EMERGENCY deformed chick struggling to eat normally

[chickens 4 life]

Hi my Bantam mixed hen, Moon, hatched out 15 chicks. One chick appeared odd out of the rest of them. He had no problem eating the first week. Then, he started developing this 'glob' on the bottom of his beak. His upper beak is longer than his bottom beak. None of the parents or grandparents had these defects. His embryo was normal like everyone else. Now he is struggling to swallow food and I don't know what's wrong or what to do. Theres saliva and food residue all over his face. He's now a little over 4 weeks old and developed this at week 2 1/2. First two photos are of week 1. 3rd is wk 2 1/2. 4th is a photo of his sibling. Last two are of him today. Please help this poor little guy!

 

[muddy75]

Personally, I recommend culling this one. I’ve never encountered that particular defect but if it’s not able to eat well, culling is probably best

 

[chickens 4 life]

Oh... what method do you suggest?

 

[The Chick Addict]

@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
@azygous
@aart

Please hold on before you make any decisions to cull.

 

[picklestheduck]

I see that there are accidentally 2 of the same post so I’m just reposting this here- again please hold and don’t make a decision because of me, I’m no professional.


Oh that does not look good! Is the “glob” or lump hard or squishy? Can the chick eat soaked food better? If it truly is a deformity and not a tumor or something I wonder what the chicks overall quality of life could be with this. I personally haven’t seen anything like this, but also who knows we might be able to find a solution, I wouldn’t know. Please do not make a decision because of me or anything, I’m just voicing some of my thoughts and concerns. Hoping you can figure something out with this birdie, and hoping someone more experienced responds! Good luck!

 

[chickens 4 life]

Ok

@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
@azygous
@aart

Please hold on before you make any decisions to cull.

 

[chickens 4 life]

I see that there are accidentally 2 of the same post so I’m just reposting this here- again please hold and don’t make a decision because of me, I’m no professional.


Oh that does not look good! Is the “glob” or lump hard or squishy? Can the chick eat soaked food better? If it truly is a deformity and not a tumor or something I wonder what the chicks overall quality of life could be with this. I personally haven’t seen anything like this, but also who knows we might be able to find a solution, I wouldn’t know. Please do not make a decision because of me or anything, I’m just voicing some of my thoughts and concerns. Hoping you can figure something out with this birdie, and hoping someone more experienced responds! Good luck!

Yeah I posted it in the chicks area but then realized it was more of a emergency.

 

[azygous]

Our hearts can't help going out to a little chick such as this. But picture this. You will spend intense hours nursing this chick along to either have it suffer and die anyway, or it will survive only to be tormented by its flock mates.

Chickens are brutal to any chicken that is "different" or is sickly. Also, I've spent months nursing a special needs chick to adulthood, and its relatively stunted size made it vulnerable to predators.

Chicks are easy to dispatch with sharp scissors severing the head from the body. Death couldn't be more instant or compassionate. No, there is no blood.

 

[chickens 4 life]

Is there any other way that's more pain free or have the chick in one piece? Cutting its head off is too brutal for me.

Our hearts can't help going out to a little chick such as this. But picture this. You will spend intense hours nursing this chick along to either have it suffer and die anyway, or it will survive only to be tormented by its flock mates.

Chickens are brutal to any chicken that is "different" or is sickly. Also, I've spent months nursing a special needs chick to adulthood, and its relatively stunted size made it vulnerable to predators.

Chicks are easy to dispatch with sharp scissors severing the head from the body. Death couldn't be more instant or compassionate. No, there is no blood.

 

[Llama3011]

Usually I would have a boot on with a heel and I just take ‘‘em out with it real quick but I’m guessing that isn’t an option for you