Crooky, the crooked beaked chicken.

So 6 weeks into raising chickens, one of the 28 I now have has a crooked beak.

We let it live this long, because I think everything should have a chance to thrive and live. But the last few days have been harrowing. We have switched to an organic grower feed. Because it's more powdery, the food is getting stuck all over his beak, and neck. I cleaned him up yesterday, and then the others began to peck at him. There was what seemed to be blood on his lower beak yesterday before I put them to bed. It's gone today, but he is keeping one eye shut. I looked at this very closely. Nothing seems red, swollen, bloody, or hurt on that side of his face. And the eye works, he opens it when he needs to. But holds it shut otherwise.

So I've put out the A.P.B. on facebook that I'm looking for a home. I'm sure one of my bleeding heart vegan friends will take him in. I've already had two offers to take him. We will see who is serious about it when they get a look at him. I'm sure he is still eating, but he is for sure underweight at this point. And if he does get sick, because he's not eating enough. I don't want that to spread. I'm sure someone with more time could keep him as a pet. If he looks like he is suffering tomorrow though I'll end it. Suffering is not living and thriving to me.

Glad I had my knives sharpened over the weekend.

He will suffer in a flock.
Flock mentality says to kill the weak for the good of the flock.

If you can find him a home where he does not have competition he has a better chance.

Within 15 mins I had a taker. And Crooky is now at his new home. I feel relieved. He will be all on his lonesome, but he will live. Having seperated him 24 hours ago he felt heavier today, and had what I would assume was a full feeling crop. So he is still able to eat. We will see now if it turns out to actually be male, and/or survives to adult hood.