HELP...Crossbeak feeding

[lucie]

Is there anything in particular that needs to be fed to a crossbeak baby chick? I have a seven week old easter egger that has one...just found out what was wrong with her. I have been wet feeding her as she seems to do a little better with the food sticking to her beak. Is this problematic? If so, what do I do...I can't stand the thought of watching her starve to death. Thanks for help and input. Lucie

 

[CUDA]

Cull it.

 

[lurky]

I feed mine with a coffee can tipped 1/2 way so she can scoop the food in her bottom beak.

 

[lucie]

how expensive is it to "cull it" and does that take care of the problem permanently? Can she survive without doing that?
Lucie

 

[lucie]

alright, I feel really stupid about now...is culling clipping the beak or getting rid of the bird?

 

[coffeelady3]

Culling is removing the bird from your flock. I think CUDA was suggesting euthanizing (sp?)the bird. I've seen cross beak birds do fine. Just make sure they have a deep feeder so that they can more easily shovel the food into their beak. Keep an eye on here and make sure she's able to fill her crop and that she's not losing weight.

 

[lucie]

Thanks Coffeelady3! I appreciate your positive input. I could not even think about killing Cuddles...she has always been the most affectionate of the bunch. Our chickens are layers, but they are also pets. Do you know if there is any harm in wet feeding her. Lucie