bruadarach
In the Brooder
- Jul 18, 2020
- 19
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Hi there!
I am brand spankin’ new to this forum. In fact, I joined specifically to get some insight on this, although I imagine it will help in many other ways.
About five weeks ago, I got my first chickens. We got six “mutt” pullets locally who are all doing great and are healthy.
Two weeks ago tomorrow, I got 11 Easter egger chicks (supposed to be 10, but you know, bonus chick). They are all living inside our guest bedroom right now in a large brooder I created myself. They are all active, healthy, and beautiful. I will not be keeping all of them and have homes for 5 once they are feathered out.
One of the chicks is a sweet little girl I call Carly (based on the character Carl from Caddyshack... sideways lip), who has a scissor beak. My son noticed it first, maybe 5-6 days ago. Since then, it has gotten significanly worse. Like, it feels like it happened overnight and my jaw is on the floor. (I’ll see if I can get some good photos tomorrow as the photos I have, even only a few days old, are not reflective of her current state).
Carly is healthy and active for the time being, but I suspect she will be declining soon as the deformity progresses. I am so committed to her... I’m willing to do whatever I can if it is reasonable and respects her dignity and comfort.
What I’ve read so far suggests a few things...
1.Weighing her on a gram scale daily to make sure she is getting enough to eat.
2. Feeding her separately, giving her moistened food made into a paste.
3. Clipping her beak down. I’ve order clippers, but I’ll be honest, I’m terrified to attempt this and would probably take her to a vet to have it done if needed while she is so little.
I am looking for any and all advice on how to give Carly the best shot at life! I was actually aware of this condition before I got the chicks, but never expected to have my own scissor beaked chick!
ETa: I said I have had them two weeks as of today, but I messed up. I meant they are two weeks old today. I’ve had them for 11 days!
I am brand spankin’ new to this forum. In fact, I joined specifically to get some insight on this, although I imagine it will help in many other ways.
About five weeks ago, I got my first chickens. We got six “mutt” pullets locally who are all doing great and are healthy.
Two weeks ago tomorrow, I got 11 Easter egger chicks (supposed to be 10, but you know, bonus chick). They are all living inside our guest bedroom right now in a large brooder I created myself. They are all active, healthy, and beautiful. I will not be keeping all of them and have homes for 5 once they are feathered out.
One of the chicks is a sweet little girl I call Carly (based on the character Carl from Caddyshack... sideways lip), who has a scissor beak. My son noticed it first, maybe 5-6 days ago. Since then, it has gotten significanly worse. Like, it feels like it happened overnight and my jaw is on the floor. (I’ll see if I can get some good photos tomorrow as the photos I have, even only a few days old, are not reflective of her current state).
Carly is healthy and active for the time being, but I suspect she will be declining soon as the deformity progresses. I am so committed to her... I’m willing to do whatever I can if it is reasonable and respects her dignity and comfort.
What I’ve read so far suggests a few things...
1.Weighing her on a gram scale daily to make sure she is getting enough to eat.
2. Feeding her separately, giving her moistened food made into a paste.
3. Clipping her beak down. I’ve order clippers, but I’ll be honest, I’m terrified to attempt this and would probably take her to a vet to have it done if needed while she is so little.
I am looking for any and all advice on how to give Carly the best shot at life! I was actually aware of this condition before I got the chicks, but never expected to have my own scissor beaked chick!
ETa: I said I have had them two weeks as of today, but I messed up. I meant they are two weeks old today. I’ve had them for 11 days!
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