OH, WHAT DO I DO NOW?!!

[Sylviaanne]

I love your ad on Craigslist! You could post a classified here in backyard chickens. I really wish you luck.

Well, I don't trust the post office any more and I wouldn't know how to reach people within a decent driving distance to me, so......

 

[Sylviaanne]

With the deformation it has, it's not going to have a "good life". What are you going to do if no one answers your ad? If you're not willing to take the necessary time and effort to raise this chick, why would someone else? Really - I'm not trying to be harsh - just realistic. I hope you have a Plan B.

I don't think I can put a baby that looks and acts healthy down but I could see what my vet would offer. Sometimes vets know people who will take on lost causes.

 

[Sylviaanne]

I'd keep him for a bit. If he's in pain, you have to cull him. If he struggles, he has special needs so he needs special care and there is no reason to cull him. If he's fine, then he's good.

No, he doesn't appear to be in ANY pain. LOL He doesn't seem to be struggling even with one eye. The only special care I can see he needs is either his beak filed or a special feeding tray as someone else has suggested.

 

[Sylviaanne]

If the beak is that badly crossed at this age, it will only continue to get worse, causing the chick more and more problems as it gets older and whoever is caring for it, more and more concern. I understand that some 'special needs' animals can live perfectly happy lives given a little extra care but I really would say this little one is far too deformed and disadvantaged and the fairest thing you can do is put it to sleep.

One thing I don't know, well this thing I don't know, do chickens beaks continue to grow throughout their lives? Now that this has happened I'm thinking their beaks are like finger nails or toe nails and continue to grow unless they are worn down. Am I correct?

Also, I have been reading about crossed beaks and it seems like most of them are worried about the upper beak but I think this little one might be ok for a while if the lower beak were trimmed. I am scared to do it because in something so tiny I can't see where the "quick" is. Is it possible that if the lower beak were trimmed the upper beak would fit like it is supposed to be?

 

[lightchick]

You could take him to a sanctuary, shelter or vet office and they will know how to take care of him.
I think that would be the best idea because if the chick DOES need to be put to sleep then the vet can do that, but if he can be helped then they know how. I'd try to take him to a shelter or sanctuary, but if you can't take him there then the vets office would work.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Any person on Craigslist who would be interested in taking on a profoundly defective chick like yours, also likely has a profoundly hungry shake.

If you are going to keep chickens or any animal for that matter, you should be prepared to act in the animals best interest. That includes not letting your emotions interfere with what you know in your heart is the best action for this chick.

My recommendation is that you do the right thing. Put it down!

 

[AmericanMom]

Ok, I posted to CraigsList and I'm hoping someone will take it and give it a good life: http://springfield.craigslist.org/pet/4562520713.html

Any idea of specific questions I should ask to make sure the new "parent" isn't going to take it and sell it for experimentation?

I just love ads wanting people to take someone's problem off their hands but list a bunch of demands to do so....Please, this is the problem with folks jumping into hatching eggs in an incubator and not knowing what they heck they may be getting into. If your not willing to make difficult decisions then why incubate? This isn't going to get better, its beak will continue to grow its whole life and will need constant care, sure the "other" chicks are leaving it alone for now but what about tomorrow or the next day? What if nobody answers your ad or you get a bunch of responses giving you the same advice you got here? Goodness, take it to a vet and let them tell you what should be done, every second you spend on here or answering emails is another second that poor chick has to live (you do NOT know if its in pain or not)

 

[chick aholic]

I agree AmericanMom

 

[happyhens1972]

Though AmericanMom has been harsh with her words, she is absolutely right. We bring these createures into the world, it is our responsibility to take care of them and do whatever is best for them.....even the really hard stuff. If you give the chick away, it will need to remain solitary in order to not get picked on or pushed out of the food, which means it will spend its life alone.....a totally unnatural and unfair state of affairs for a chicken. They NEED to be part of a flock and if health problems prevent this, then they will be miserable NO MATTER WHAT HUMAN EFFORTS ARE MADE.

 

[Bryam]

Yup, I totally agree! You should cull this chick now! Don't leave it suffer, that is a selfish act. Nobody is going to answer that add, and I don't blame them. You have to step up to the plate and do what is right! Enough said!