Weakened scissor-beak baby

[ejblessing]

Hi Y'all! I have a sweet 2 mo old silkie that has scissor beak. It has been doing great up until now! I brought it inside from my other chicks as they have all grown and progressed, and I believe this one can't keep up now due to size diff. It is very much in a weakened state... up and down for the past 24 hrs. I am syringe feeding it electrolyte/probiotic mix w/ water - which seems to really perk her up at times in order to eat. Any thoughts on amount (mL) per hour I should be giving?

Any and all suggestions, experience, etc. welcome!
(Yes, I know death is a great possibility however, I have time and love to give at the moment!)

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Hi ejblessing, Welcome to BYC ~ I'm sorry to hear that you have an unwell Silkie. I don't have any experience in tube feeding, but you have posted in a right forum to get help.There are lots of people here that may be abe to give you the advice you need. Best of luck with your little Silkie. I will tag a few people incase they can help you out. @casportpony @Wyorp Rock @AlleysChicks @granny hatchet @Wishing4Wings @campingshaws

 

[Granny Hatchet]

She can eat on her own ? You may need to separate her and in deep dishes give her food and water. You can put the lites in her water she drinks. If she is unable to eat or drink from deep dishes I have no advise. Im sorry but tubing a chicken every single day really isnt a way for one to live. Maybe a picture so we can see if the beak can possible be trimmed to help her eat?

 

[ChickenLady2014]

She can eat on her own ? You may need to separate her and in deep dishes give her food and water. You can put the lites in her water she drinks. If she is unable to eat or drink from deep dishes I have no advise. Im sorry but tubing a chicken every single day really isnt a way for one to live. Maybe a picture so we can see if the beak can possible be trimmed to help her eat?

Well said granny, thanks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi Y'all! I have a sweet 2 mo old silkie that has scissor beak. It has been doing great up until now! I brought it inside from my other chicks as they have all grown and progressed, and I believe this one can't keep up now due to size diff. It is very much in a weakened state... up and down for the past 24 hrs. I am syringe feeding it electrolyte/probiotic mix w/ water - which seems to really perk her up at times in order to eat. Any thoughts on amount (mL) per hour I should be giving?

Any and all suggestions, experience, etc. welcome!
(Yes, I know death is a great possibility however, I have time and love to give at the moment!)

How is she doing?
Can you post some photos of her? (chicken, poop, beak and anything else you want to share)
What are you feeding her?

Since the syringing fluids/food into her and she perks up, I would suspect that she may be dehydrated and not eating enough.
Get her hydrated first, then offer wet chick starter to see if she will improve. Electrolytes are good, you can also give her a direct dose of Poultry Nutri-Drench at 1cc per 3lbs of weight daily.

A lot depends on the severity of the beak, you may be able to trim it to make it easier for her to eat/drink. @granny hatchet post above is very good. Deeper dishes to eat and drink from are helpful. Scissor beak is usually a genetic disorder, so it's possible that she may have other underlying genetic/developmental problems that are presenting as she's getting older and she's starting to fail.
Tubing/syringing short term to try to get a bird back on it's feet won't hurt, but I agree that if this needs to be done everyday, consideration for not only the bird's quality of life, but your personal time/commitments also need to be thought through.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ures-updated-9-15-2016.1064392/#post-18827506
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-pics-for-visuals-very-detailed-post.805615/