Meet Popeye newborn baby chick wants some ideas

[HBuehler]

He should have been culled BUT he's a part of my daughters science project and she had been watching them from day one in the incubator I don't need another pet chicken but my daughter reminded me killing him because he wasn't perfect was wrong..she has major scaring to her face and isn't perfect and we love her anyways...OK that argument won the case...so if he dies he dies on his own. She knows and accepts he may not survive but he Wants to live..very active eating and drinking fine. Like all the other babies just this eye...oh he's slightly cross beaked poor guy has nothing going for him but a sweet 6 year old's idealistic ideas.
Oh yeah this is why we normally don't let the kids get involved with the hatchings

I'm hoping it will go back on it's own but in the meantime he's by himself so it won't get picked and I have been putting emu oil on the outside skin to keep it soft(emu oil is far better than any other oils including vit. e) and washed it with some saline The wet looking hair is oil...he won't stay very still..
I'm open to any ideas that won't hurt him other than a very expensive vet bill

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[NGT ANGL]

I don't have any ideas on what to do for him but just wanted to wish you and your daughter good luck with him. I think it is wonderful that you all are giving him a fighting chance.

 

[shelbybr]

That's a remarkably astute comment from a 6 year old! Keep an eye on her, she's going to out-think you in a few years!

Maybe I missed it... what's actually wrong with him? The eye? (I'm new to the world of chickens!)

 

[Warfrost]

Ok, I'm going to be a bit blunt here, but honesty is the best policy. I have an Asiatic chicken that was basically tossed into our garden with two others. There was a hen, and she and her sis were pullets. I noticed she had the scissor-bill thing going on, but it wasn't that bad. A couple of months have passed, and she has grown quite a bit...but a couple of problems have developed. First, as she grew, her upper and lower portions of her beak have become a lot more crooked...so bad now that she has trouble eating and keeping the beak clean- there is always dirt packed in it. Also, as she has aged, the crooked beak has caused her skull to become even more deformed than it was before. I am concerned that if your guy survives, your daughter will become attached to him, and if he gets a similar issue with skull deformity as my Asiatic, that eye may just pop right out of his skull, which of course will bring up a ton of other issues. Obviously this is a difficult decision, but it may be more merciful to everyone involved to cull him now instead of waiting for attachment to grow. I know it sounds mean, but it's just what we are going through- and ours wasn't a baby when we got her, so I had no clue that these further deformities would occur.

Also, in my opinion, I don't shield my kids from this stuff- if they really want to be having the farmy lifestyle, the reality is that sometimes critters die when they are born, or have issues. My kids saw one of our hatchlings die about 2 weeks ago, and although it bummed them out, they handled it well, and I think it was a real learning experience for them. Your daughter sounds pretty darn mature, and definitely has a good grasp of reality! Good luck to you, no matter what you guys decide- I think either way you go, you should do it together, good or bad!(hope that makes sense)

 

[Cetawin]

Emu oil is fantastic! I use it in my homemade soaps, bath products and hair products. It has great skin healing properties and can be put straight on the skin. Good choice.

The cross beak does not look that severe...it may start to get worse as s/he gets older but it is a quick fix with a sanding attachment and dremel tool...take a second and they do not have time to fuss.

Some breeds, mainly the asiatics, have issues with skull deformities but that may never be an issue with this fella. Put some vitamins and electrolyes in the water, give some scrambled egg and give little one a deeper dish to get food from...so it can scoop the food up if need be.

You may want to consult with a vet...it may be worth an office visit to find out if it can be corrected or if it will be a pirate chicken wearing an eye patch.

Your daughter is a very astute young lady...I do not know her but am proud of her for telling you her feelings on this matter and being so adult in her thought process. That is a wonderful thign for a young lady to be able to talk to mom and dad. I applaud her and give her a hug. BTW I agree with her. if the chick can have a fairly productive and happy life...let it fight for its chance to live. Many have blind chickens and chickens with other issues that do just fine...they are just special.

 

[HBuehler]

Thanks everyone..
My daughter isn't sheltered at all.She's grown up with farm animals her whole life and because of one has nearly died herself(twice actually but only once from an animal).She's seen several animals die including her pets.She doesn't get that stressed from death.She was told he would without a doubt die from this but by his will to live not today.
She's way too smart for 6..never know what she will say but it is always more advanced than you would think.After being around boys she's a

.She will tell us her plans and by gosh she has achieved every goal she has set-I'm still catching up.
I have already joked around about getting him a Titans football eye patch

He's now in with his hatch buddies and they are leaving him alone and very happy.They are leaving it alone.
He's the first to the food and water and is the most spunky of all the chicks in no way is he suffering and if he were in pain he wouldn't be trying to fly in the brooder.
Fully aware problems may arise later on but they may not as well.When that bridge comes up it can then be crossed but SO many things can happen. He's not an asiatic chicken he's a Jersey Giant so those added skull problems shouldn't become a problem for him.And with his beak I figure if my son's orthodontist can straighten out those teeth maybe he can make me beak braces

no honestly that is the least of my worries.We feed a natural scratch type feed and a variety of garden treats...only what they can eat in 5 minutes or less it's not the bulk of their diet. Each pasture's feed is adjusted depending on what is inside.His will be adjusted as needed if it's a different feeder or a different feed.
That is why I posted for IDEAS that may help him out not your opinions on killing him. Many times someone may have a great idea or something they tried that you may overlook.As we live a natural lifestyle we use many more alternative treatments and am open to any of them even if it seems strange to others.

 

[dac63]

Good for you and especially your child as she is someone that knows that not every living thing is pefect but that all deserve the right to survive. She will probably always fight for the underdog and i admire her for her compassion. You should be so proud. donna

 

[mamahenny]

Quote:
I think she has already out thoght her! She convinced you to keep that chick! Ohhhh the intellligence of a six year old! They could get a hobo to give them the shirt off their back!