X-beaked chick - how to teach about mash?

[EggyErin]

One of my two-week-old chicks has a pronounced crossed beak. I've tried getting her to eat mash but she's not interested. Is there a way I can get her to try it? Her beak has gotten worse so I know she's not getting as much to eat. I've been droppering water into her and have done a little Nutri-Drench but now that's not enough.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry she is not doing well
The only idea I have is to put the mash is a deeper dish, take a little and wipe it on her beak. Tap the edge of the dish and make little noises to encourage her. If you have other chicks, have them eat from the same dish with you and her - this may inspire her to try.

A lot of chicks with cross beak can do fine, but sometimes if the deformity is too severe, they may have other issues as well and sadly fail to thrive.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it.html

 

[EggyErin]

Thanks, Wyorp. I'll try again with the mash. At one point, I put mash out for all the chicks after trying to get her to eat separated. That didn't seem to work either. I've tried hand-feeding, putting a spoon up to her beak, trying to wipe some on but she would just shake it off. I've seen the Chicken Chick article which has kept my hopes up. Her chick developed at six weeks what mine developed at one week so she hasn't had enough time to get a head start on gaining weight. I will try it all again and see if she'll eat. Otherwise, I'll have to put her down and I DREAD that. I did read the recent thread about euthanizing chicks so I'm prepared.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

See if she will hand feed. It may be that something is just not "connecting".
I'm so very sorry.