How much care for crossbeak hens?

[chickndays]

Would love to hear from members on here. How much care is required for crossbeaks and when do you make the decision to put down?
I'm conflicted between keeping if minimal care is adequate or running out to get a replacement chick. So far the chick seems to be growing and playing with its friends (so I assume it's getting enough nutrition) but I do think the crossbeak is getting worse as time goes on.

 

[chickndays]

At 3 weeks.

 

[Mrs. K]

In my experience, the crossbeak does get worse as they grow, and as it does, the ability to eat gets worse. My first one seemed to do just fine, active and curious-and a few weeks later, I found her dead, and when I picked her up-I realized way too thin. Feathers cover sins.

The thing is, the bigger they get, the more feed they need, and the worse the crossbill gets, the harder to meet the bodies needs.

Mrs.K

 

[SB907]

Dealing with a crossbeak chick right now and having the same conundrum, especially since I won't even be able to keep it if it's a roo...I have tried all the hand-feeding techniques and they have been stressful for the chick, it's mama, and me, but what does seem to be working is private feeding time with no competition. I literally just plunk it in the feed bin and the combination of no competition and deeper food, it's able to fill it's crop in about 10-15 minutes. Since I started doing that, it's been gaining weight every day. I do weigh once a day in the mornings just to make sure. But it's a happy, healthy chick and doesn't know any different, so as long as it's not suffering, I'll give it a chance!