Not every animal is born the same. Not every animal goes through the same experiences. And whether it's experiences that caused it to become 'imperfect', like the bobcat who was dropped on its head by a hawk as a kitten and whose favorite toy is now fennel or the dog who was previously mistreated for barking slowly learning to bork again. Or if it's some disorder, like the disabled goldfish that couldn't swim because of a bout of swim bladder.
All these animals deserve a second chance at life, and every person who gives it to them is a hero.
grrumble on imguris our newest hero. Dory is a chicken born with a condition called scissor-beak or cross-beak, and though she's a fighter and always strives for a better life, without grrumble, Dory would not have made it. We're truly thankful, from the bottom of our hearts that you heled save this poor helpless creature, and we hope that you guys live a long, happy life together.
"Hello! This is Dory, and as you can probably see, she has something called cross beak. When we got her at a few days old we couldn't see anything wrong, but by two weeks old it began to shift"
"Cross beak is suspected to be a possible genetic issue, a malposition of the chick inside of the hatching egg, or improper incubation conditions. All of witch was out of our hands sadly. It's common practice for people to cull young birds due to them needing special care
In the beginning it didn't phase her. She ate and drank normally, could clean herself and hold her own in the flock. She attached herself to a pullet we call Gimps."
"She's what's called an Easter egger, and cross beak is sadly rather common in them. She's very floofy! So soft, lil round baby"
"Even as it progressed, she still strived- it felt like overnight how quickly it worsened. We were worried in the beginning as this was my first experience with a special needs chicken... my dang bleeding heart couldn't give up on her and I'm so glad I didn't!"
"Older picture, but Gimps would preen her when they basked together"
"We started feeding her wet feed mixed with a bit of yogurt when her beak was worse off. Love the little peeps she makes! She's 10 weeks old now and still makes these sounds"
"Her name came to me when her lil pea brain would get distracted so easily I swear she forgot what she was doing. In the end you can see her go "o dang theres food here!! Thanks!!""
"She still tucks under anyone who sits still long enough to let her. Reba is very tolerant of her almost shoving her off the perch lol"
"Now in the cop we have what is now dubbed as "Dory's Stump" as this is where we set her food. She easily downs the bowl even when she looks like a little balloon she's so full"
"With wet food though comes a huge mess that sticks to her feathers and she gets all grody. So baths are a thing. If you're curious how bathing a chicken goes, think a small cat with wings..."
"However, after she realizes the waters nice she slowly tips over until you gotta hold her to keep her head above water haha
I can't get over how l o n g"
"The feed tends to stick under her neck but somehow, always flings it to the back of her head. I try to be as gentle as I possibly can, their skin is insanely thin and delicate"
"Her favorite part is 100% the dryer though. Here's when I preen her, and help remove anything stuck i didn't get out in the water. Also help with any stuck feathers"
"All poofy and dry, usually gives me the stink eye and stands like a statue"
"She knows the atv and hops up ready to go home"
"Usually ends up on my shoulder. l o n g"
"And the drive back, she cracks me up. It's like she thinks she's walking so her little head bobs as we go
She's a good lil bird! Chickens are such fun birds. If you have the chance to... get a few! They're so full of personality and love that you'll be willing to put up with the dug up garden beds and poo everywhere, haha! Thanks if you made it this far!"
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