Misaligned Beak

Noticed a couple weeks ago my pullet Polish has a misaligned beak. I can not imagine how she might be injured, inherited? She can drink & eat cat/dog food so she is fat and happy. She cant eat chicken food or maybe she doesn't like it. She is a normal beautiful Polish pullet hen otherwise.
Any know what I should do (if anything)? Anyone experienced this?

It's a common genetic birth defect normally called 'scissor beak' or it can be caused by injury... Since it's usually genetic, you should avoid breeding said bird...

If the bird can eat and drink well enough they can live a normal life, if they can't you have to decide to cull or hand feed/water the bird...

You might find that trimming or contouring the beak a little allows it to better align and can be helpful...

This is a mild form of crossbeak (also known as scissor beak). It is usually seen in Easter Egger, Ameraucana, or Araucana stock and typically presents at birth, but can be seen in other breeds and/or develop during adolescence.

Feeding a total diet of dog and cat food is extremely dangeorus. The protein level is way too high, and will likely end up causing damage to her liver and kidneys as they filter out the excess protein, not to mention that many of the other nutritional values are severely out of proportion. She needs to be put on a grower crumble, switched to a layer crumble at 16-18 weeks. Even mild crossbeaks cannot consume a pelleted feed.

Crossbeak cannot be fixed or cured. It may remain the way it is now or continue to progress for the duration of her adolescence. Once she is fully grown it will likely stop any progression. The issue is genetic and you should avoid breeding the bird. There is no guarantee that she will produce crossbeaked offspring if bred, but it is possible, so it's not wise to perpetuate the line.

Oh my! I had no idea dog and cat food was bad. All my chickens eat it along with regular chicken food. I will no longer let them eat the dog and cat food. Thank you! I am so in love with my hens. I have never heard of scissor beak before, but I googled it and you are spot on. My poor "Mop Top" (her name). Im glad to hear that its not something she will not die from. And I have only hens, no breeding here, lol.

CrystalLuvsHens said:

Oh my! I had no idea dog and cat food was bad.

Click to expand...

It's not bad in moderation, and many use it to supplement protein levels, just don't use it as the chickens primary diet...

I appreciate all y'alls help and responses. Your appreciated!

Yea, I did trim her beak with nail clippers and an emery board to shape. I think it helped a little. I have 14 VERY fat hens that are treated like spoiled babies. They have a special "hen blanket" and I nap with my hens. They are only expected to give me eggs.