Had to let the crossbeak chick go.

[chantecler]

I have two cross beaks they are 9 months old and are doing well. As already mentionned a deep dish with deep food helps.
And when they get a little older ( big enough to handle) you can trim the beak as needed, just like would trim your dogs or cats toe nails.
You can check the crop to see if there is food getting in. You can also add some sugar or a vitamin mix to the water to give a little bit of a boost of energy. You can also syringe a some sugar water into cross-beaks mouth- very carefully so that you don't drown her/him; just a few drops at a time. She should figure out how to scoop the feed up.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
Thanks so much chantecler. Maybe there is hope for it yet. I won't rush into a harsh decision just yet. I'm going to put a deeper dish in the brooder...I'm sure the other 3 chicks will enjoy making a mess out of that! lol: I began putting a vitamin/mineral supplement into the water from day 1, when this same chick hatched with wry neck. I firmly believe that the supplement is what's improving the wry neck issue. As far as drinking water, this chick does drink on her own, with good success. I'll keep updating on the progress. I just soooo hope this is a pullet.

If it turns out to be a roo, it is going to be devastating to me, after all the hard work and hopes I've put into it, to have to put it down.

 

[speckledhen]

Wet mash really will help it. Hope its a girl, too. I put down one cockerel whose beak started to cross at 3 months old. That was hard, but it was a breeder. Too bad, he was handsome.

 

[Wynette]

ShelleyB - I'd seriously consider culling the crossbeak, even though I know this is very difficult to do. I had a crossbeak that lived to be a year old; the extra care required (very deep dishes to eat from, trips to the vet to have her beak reshaped every 6 weeks due to it being so severe) is expensive and time consuming. My girl began to lay eggs at about 10 months, which surprised me since she was so small (having such difficulty eating all her life). She could eat, but spent SO much time at the feed dish; seemed like she was there most of the time because it takes them so much longer to eat. Eventually, my girl died. I was sick about it. I'm sure it was because she was unable to get enough nutrition, even though I kept a watchful eye over her. IMO, it's not fair to the bird. ANd, many more die than live a happy, healthy, long life. Again, JMO. Just giving you my experience.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I wouldn't breed it, just in case, but in some cases (rare?) it can correct itself with careful trimming. I have a rooster that had crossbeak develop after he was a month old... I only had to trim it a couple of times and now you can't even tell. He's almost a year old, now.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

The friendliest, sweetest chicken I ever had was a crossbeak--she was one of those birds who decided that she was NOT a chicken, she is a PEOPLE! And proceeded to be one of the best pets we have ever owned: snuggling with the jack russel and roosting on the cat. If you left the room she would chase after you and run up to your feet and wait to be picked up and put on your shoulder. She liked to snuggle n the crook of my arm.

Handfeeding formula from the pet store, mixed with water to about the consistency of mashed potatoes will allow a crossbeak to feed him or herself if deep dishes aren't enough. Also baby food or instant oatmeal or rice or ...

 

[Indiana hens]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=123577
Try this page it may help and welcome to the club.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Just wanted to update this thread to say that I did decide to have the chick put down.

I just couldn't do it myself, so a dear friend did it for me. The chick's beak was getting worse every day, and it had began peeping very loudly all the time...like it wasn't getting enough to eat. I just couldn't stand to let it suffer any longer. I have a sense of peace in my heart now because I know that it's in a better place. Thanks for all the support and info that everyone gave me

...it was comforting to know that others have had the same experience.

 

[speckledhen]

It does sound like she was in distress. I think you made the right decision, I really do.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I'm so sorry. I agree, it sounds like it was the right thing to do.