Beak is crooked

[swampdonkey]

I have a chicken that I think was pecked by another chicken and now her beak is crooked. It is so bad that bottom half is jutting out to the side instead of closing together. She is not able to eat the pellets so I have been hand feeding her bread and I am not sure what to do. Can anyone give me advice? I hate to see her die I have gotten attached to her because she follows me around when I am out in the yard. Thanks! Helen (Swampdonkey's wife)

 

[swampdonkey]

ttt

 

[growyourbrew]

We had a chicken born like that. You need to provide a feed container that's deep enough for her to dip her whole beak in so that she can actually pick food up. Make sure she can get to it before the others. The hen I had was always on the look out for food and would just station herself by the feeder.
Otherwise, (if you have the $), a vet can fix it for you. Supposedly, it's a pretty simple procedure

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Do a search on BYC for Crossbeak. There is alot of info. here about the problem. Most people feed mash ( wet mushed up feed) to the bird to make it easier for them to eat. We have a cockrel that is crossbeaked but luckely he does fine on his own. He is actually our biggest of the hatch. Also look up Derperella. She is a crossbeak and has her own stories! Quite amuseing. It was probably not caused by the other chicken, more than likely it was already happening and you just noticed it after the altercation. Good luck.

 

[froggiesheins]

Any way you can post a picture of your hen? It really would help alot to see what is going on.

 

[swampdonkey]

I will take a picture when my husband finishes mowing so he can help upload a picture. I actually made her a loaf of "chicken bread" using half flour and half chick starter and she gobbled it up. I am not so worried now that I know other chickens with this condition seem to do pretty good. She follows me everywhere when I am outside and comes to the french doors and looks inside when I am in the house. Really kinda funny! My husband says she thinks I'm her Momma! Thanks

 

[swampdonkey]

 

[swampdonkey]

 

[swampdonkey]

sorry about the first one, i tried photobucket!

 

[froggiesheins]

Holey smokers, that is a bad cross beak. You will probably have to watch her like a hawk to make sure she gets enough to eat and drink. Bless you for taking such good care of her...