Americana Chicken Chick with misaligned beak

[Rondack]

We have a little chick who can barely eat at all, his beak is misaligned, the lower part of the beak is about 50 degrees off... Any ideas about what to do?

We have had him since early August now, and he has survived this far, but he is almost constantly screaming and hungry, we sometimes try to feed him, or we moisten feed so he can get it more easily...

 

[coach723]

Pictures would be helpful. It sounds like it may be scissor beak or cross beak, it often shows up soon after hatch, and will often get worse as they grow. It can often be managed, but not cured. If the bird is able to adapt, with some special consideration, then it may do OK. It will always have difficulty in picking thing up from the ground, so feeders and waterers will need to be raised up. A deeper, open dish works best for them. Feeding feed moistened with some water also makes it easier for them.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2016/05/causes-and-treatment-of-scissor-or.html
https://meyerhatchery.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017990812-Cross-Beak-Causes-and-Management

 

[Rondack]

Pictures would be helpful. It sounds like it may be scissor beak or cross beak, it often shows up soon after hatch, and will often get worse as they grow. It can often be managed, but not cured. If the bird is able to adapt, with some special consideration, then it may do OK. It will always have difficulty in picking thing up from the ground, so feeders and waterers will need to be raised up. A deeper, open dish works best for them. Feeding feed moistened with some water also makes it easier for them.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2016/05/causes-and-treatment-of-scissor-or.html
https://meyerhatchery.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017990812-Cross-Beak-Causes-and-Management

Thanks for the info. Yes, that's the condition, scissor-beak, only in this chicken's case it is much more severe....

Would it be possible to surgically try to improve the beak situation?

 

[Chickie friend]

Thanks for the info. Yes, that's the condition, scissor-beak, only in this chicken's case it is much more severe....

Would it be possible to surgically try to improve the beak situation?

as far as I know, it is not possible to do any surgery, although you can trim the chickens beak up the quick with dog nail clippers.

 

[coach723]

I'm not aware of any possible surgery options for this condition. Only management options to try to make it easier for the bird to adapt to it's condition. If the beak is overgrown, which can happen when it's not normal, then trimming may help some. I would try using very deep dishes so it can really push it's head/beak into the feed, and moistened feed. You may need to experiment to see what works for this particular bird.

 

[Weeg]

@cooingcrow1 ,Can we see some pictures? I wish I could help, but I don't have answer for you. Good luck with your chick!