Scissor Beak...Laying?

[stormie000]

We have a severe scissor beak and I put crushed up egg shells in her mash, she eats them right up!

Good idea! Thanks you.

 

[sarahconnor]

I have a scissor beak hen who is almost a year old. She isn’t doing perfect, but she eats a mash of food and is almost the same size as the other hens. She has lost quite a few feathers on her back. Almost all my hens have bald spots after I gave away my rooster but hers are worst than the rest.

I’m wondering two things...
1. I have 4 laying hens plus the scissor beak. I usually get 4 eggs but sometimes get 5 eggs a day. Could the scissor beak hen be laying? Or is one hen laying two egg? There is no reason why a healthy scissor beak wouldn't lay eggs.

2. I’ve been finding scissor beak in the nesting boxes. Today, she was curled up in it with 2 other hens. One jumped out, but her and the other arelayed up in there and scissor beak is tucking her head up into her body. I have no clue what this means. Are they both just about to lay? Is scissor beak sick and laying in there to get away? Is the other one Forcing her in there? Like I said, no idea but any suggestions are greatly appreciated. If she is normally active, eating, and drinking she probably is fine, but if she remains in the box with her head tucked overlong she may be ill.

I know this is long but I have struggled with whether or I not I should keep scissor beak despite her “handicap”. I have grown very close to her and worry that every little thing she does means she is sick. I’ve put some pictures below. Thanks for your help!!

I hope your girl is doing well. We do grow close to our birds and protect the weakest.
I have a 4 week old chick who is displaying scissor beak as well. I hope she can thrive.

I have a scissor beak hen who is almost a year old. She isn’t doing perfect, but she eats a mash of food and is almost the same size as the other hens. She has lost quite a few feathers on her back. Almost all my hens have bald spots after I gave away my rooster but hers are worst than the rest.

I’m wondering two things...
1. I have 4 laying hens plus the scissor beak. I usually get 4 eggs but sometimes get 5 eggs a day. Could the scissor beak hen be laying? Or is one hen laying two egg? There is no reason why a healthy scissor beak wouldn't lay eggs.

2. I’ve been finding scissor beak in the nesting boxes. Today, she was curled up in it with 2 other hens. One jumped out, but her and the other arelayed up in there and scissor beak is tucking her head up into her body. I have no clue what this means. Are they both just about to lay? Is scissor beak sick and laying in there to get away? Is the other one Forcing her in there? Like I said, no idea but any suggestions are greatly appreciated. If she is normally active, eating, and drinking she probably is fine, but if she remains in the box with her head tucked overlong she may be ill.

I know this is long but I have struggled with whether or I not I should keep scissor beak despite her “handicap”. I have grown very close to her and worry that every little thing she does means she is sick. I’ve put some pictures below. Thanks for your help!!

I have an Araucanian and she is showing scissor beak as well. I hear it is genetic. How do you keep the other babies from eating her warm food mixed with water? We just noticed it tonight that her break was not normal. Someone suggested warm, moist food.

how is your girl doing? I hope she came out of her box. I have had two in a box often. Super best luck. I appreciate any tips you can give me.

 

[sarahconnor]

Are you feeding layer feed?
I don't know how much "extra" calcium you could give her long term. Hopefully someone else will chime in. Even with oyster shell, most hens pick out a few pieces every once in a while.
Since she did have a soft shelled egg, IF she were mine. I would give her 1/2 Caltrate tablet for 3 days. You can crush that and add to her feed.

We have a large dispenser in the hen house. Every 2-3 days I throw a handful of oyster shell for chickens at the mouth of the feeder. Sort of sprinkle it in and over the food lying in the dispenser area. Only ever had two birds get egg bound. They ouster shell seems to disappear so I think they are gobbling it up. We have good eggs with great shells.

 

[stormie000]

I hope your girl is doing well. We do grow close to our birds and protect the weakest.
I have a 4 week old chick who is displaying scissor beak as well. I hope she can thrive.

I have an Araucanian and she is showing scissor beak as well. I hear it is genetic. How do you keep the other babies from eating her warm food mixed with water? We just noticed it tonight that her break was not normal. Someone suggested warm, moist food.

how is your girl doing? I hope she came out of her box. I have had two in a box often. Super best luck. I appreciate any tips you can give me.

She did come out of the box and is acting her normal self again! She’s also laying almost every day! Thank you for asking.
It took some work to get her to this point but most of it she has figured out on her own. Mine was also about 4 weeks when I started noticing it. It’s pretty severe now but if I make a thick mash of food (crumbles) and warm water, she is able to scoop it up. I also add plain yogurt sometimes for some extra protein and calcium and now, per advice on this thread, I’m adding in some oyster shell powder 1-2 times a week. My other girls like to eat the mash too and I find some of them prefer it to the dry food. I use a very large deep bowl and fill it about half way every day so there’s enough for everyone. When I first fill it though, I will throw treats into the run area that distracts the girls for a few minutes so Scissor beak can get some alone time with it. Sometimes I will put a smaller bowl with mash in the run too to spread them out if I find she isn’t getting enough room. I hope this helps a bit! Best of luck with your chick!