I seem to be the only one starting threads here.. but it's the only place I know where i can post 😁
One of my chicks has the bottom half of its beak sticking out to the left. It also sleeps a lot, but I wasn't really sure it was the same chick until their colours started to come in. the crooked beak is only really starting to show now.
Three other chicks in the brooding cage play and run around a lot, but usually this one is sleeping, it also doesn't seem to play with them anyway.
Don't have a great picture, this is the best one I have.
Should I be worried (I am)?
Is there anything I can do for it?
https://i.postimg.cc/TY06yn3N/IMG-20260903-WA0018.jpg
EDIT.
I have added two videos replying to this post showing the chick drinking and sleeping while the others are wide awake.
9 Comments
Anne@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 14d
Has she been eating and drinking normally? Is she about the same size as the other chicks? Does she have about the same amount of feathers? Basically, if she seems to be growing and feathering alright, the beak might not cause her any issues. She might be lethargic because of cold temperature, or just a lazy baby, chicks start showing little personalities sooner than you'd think!
Babalugats@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 14d
Not about the same size, looking a little bit smaller than the other chick that is the same breed as her. She has been at the food longer, more recently.
excess0680@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 14d
Sounds like cross beak. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossed_beak
It’s an environmental/genetic disorder. I do not believe there’s a cure.
It isn’t fatal but the chick may fail to thrive due to difficulty eating. You may need to create a special diet just for this chick. For example, I’ve read and seen someone make a mash (like oatmeal but with starter chick feed) just for their cross beaked birds. You’ll need to separate the chick to make sure it can eat. Even then, it may not thrive.
I’ve read the perspective of some chicken owners who had chickens with cross beak. It’s pretty rough, unfortunately. Please be prepared for its sudden passing.
Babalugats@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 13d
Here is a video of the chick with the crooked beak drinking water (the chick that comes up beside it is from the same clutch, same age etc.)
https://streamff.com/v/80d051c5
This is two of the chicks playing/fighting ? 🤷♂️ The chick with the crooked beak is in the back right corner sleeping.
https://streamff.com/v/e98d9699
I was wondering if the two fighting could be cockerels?
I have other videos I'll try to upload of the chick with the crooked beak, walking, where she seems slightly unbalanced.
excess0680@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 13d
Yes, the chick will do what it can to live. Best to keep an eye on it. The balance issues could be from malnutrition from not being able to eat effectively.
I wouldn’t worry about the fights between the chicks. Although they could be male, in my experience, this fighting continues until early adulthood as they begin to form the pecking order. The earliest signs to confirm a chick being a cockerel will be the comb and wattles. They’ll continue to develop from early adolescence until adulthood, well past when pullets finish comb and wattle development.
Babalugats@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 13d
Great, thanks.
I am just after feeding it a porridge type mix. 😀
I tried earlier, but she kept falling asleep in my hands and wasn't interested. So I eventually gave up, and back in to the cage. I came back in about an hour later and she was pecking away at the food, but ignoring the porridge mix. So I took her out again with the mix, added a little more water with the electrolytes, and she took a minute, but got stuck in. Ate a fair bit of it, so I am happier now, much happier. She could see/watch the other chicks from where she was eating in my hands, so wasn't too stressed. Eventually seemed full and I just put her back in with the others. They are all going to sleep now.
One thing I have noticed is that she seems to be a bit of an outcast among them, doesn't get involved in the playing etc. and sleeps alone. The other three huddle together, and she sleeps out on her own.
excess0680@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 13d
I’m hoping your chick makes it! Don’t worry too much about it being an outcast right now. As long as it thrives, it can still socialize with its flock in the future. Good luck!
Edit: I should add that I’ve seen many cases of cross beak from Reddit and backyardchickens.com. Some were quite severe but of mature hens, meaning they can thrive. Your chick was unlucky to have it, but it appears milder than those aforementioned cases.
Babalugats@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 13d
Thanks. Me too. I don't know if the outcast thing is by choice or not. I noticed late last night that it was sitting in with the two bigger ones (lemon Brahma I think), but then when I looked again, she was back over on her own.
I glanced in this morning, and she was awake with the others, sitting, but awake, so I'm hoping that the feed last night helped. I will keep an eye today and be there to feed when needed/wanted.
I had a look at some cross-beaks.. and yes.. 🤯 some of them do look a lot more severe, so that is something I hope. Meaning, hopefully it will be possible for me (a complete beginner) to look after her without too much difficulty.
Better Picture of Cross-Beak
Babalugats@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 14d
Oh.. thanks for that. I checked on them first thing this morning, and I have already noticed that this one is having trouble eating. it was the only one at the food today, and was at it for over 20 minutes yesterday.
It also doesn't seem to have great balance. It's not always obvious, but if I watch her, I can see her lose balance sometimes.
I have a couple of videos I will try to upload somehow to link to here.