9
Chick is sleeping a lot and has 'crooked' beak
(feddit.uk)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2026
9 points (100.0% liked)
Backyard Chickens (and Other Birds)
1037 readers
2 users here now
[Were you a mod of backyard chickens on Reddit? Message me if you're interested in modding here.]
This is a community for people who keep chickens in their back yard. This includes pets, layers, and meaties at levels that are sub-industrial. Family farms and homesteads are included.
EDIT
The Fediverse is small. There probably aren't enough people here to make up a community for every type of bird that someone might keep so for now, everyone is welcome. Bring us your ducks and geese, turkeys and quail, Guineas and Peacocks, emus and parrots. The community will be focused on chickens but until there are enough of each bird community for their own community they will find care and comfort here.
/EDIT
There may be discussions of animal processing. This is part of chicken keeping. If you don't like it leave and block the community.
You may also be interested in:
RULES:
-
All Lemmy.ca rules apply here.
-
Everyone (see rules 4 and 98) is welcome.
-
If you've seen a question 100 times answer it the 101st time or ignore it. Even better, write a complete, detailed answer and suggest that the mod(s) pin it to the community.
-
There will be ZERO tolerance for shaming, brigading, harassment, or other nonsense of those who keep and process chickens. You will be permanently banned the first time.
-
No, it's not a calcium deficiency. Wrinkled eggs are the result of insufficient or insufficiently viscous albumen. Tiny eggs and missing shells are misfires. They happen.
-
If you post a picture that includes a dead animal or blood mark it NSFW. We're not going to tolerate the militant anti-hunting and anti-farming bullshit here but we're also not going to tolerate people rubbing their hunting and harvesting in people's faces. See rule 98. If you post blood, gore, or dead animals and don't mark it NSFW it will be removed and you might be banned.
[Did you actually think there were 98 rules?]
-
If you present something as fact and are asked to provide proof or a source provide proof or a source. Proof must be from a reliable source. If you fail to provide proof or a source your post or comment may be removed.
-
Don't be a dick. Yes, this is a catch-all rule.
-
The mod(s) have the final say.
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
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.
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.
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.
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