Beak issue not lining up

Chickeggdiction

In the Brooder
Mar 7, 2016
48
6
39
Alabama
Help! Has anyone ever had a scissor beak or cross beak issue? I am still fairly new to chickens, this is my second year raising byc. I ordered a group (15) chicks from a hatchery this time, and all are happy and healthy except one. All of the ones I ordered were from a rare breed assortment so I'm not even sure what this pullet is, I suspect an Egyptian Fayoumis though. She is appears to eat okay and drink fine but lately it has gotten so much worse that I was finally able to notice the crossing over. She is 8 weeks and honestly I just noticed. They are on chick starter grower and the vital pack nutrients in their water. This chick has always been rather sickly, smal,l and flighty. Does anyone have any idea's on what I can do if anything to help her? Can her lower beak be clipped or filed and if so how do you know when to stop? Otherwise do I need to get a vet involved? Any suggestions or help appreciated.

 
This is a fairly common problem in chickens that is usually a result of a vitamin or mineral deficiency in the parents. It tends to become worse as they age. Many people will try to save these chickens by using deep feeding bowls and adding water to the chicken feed to help them get enough food and water. Trimming or grinding the beak to get it to come together can be attempted. Since this can be from a deficiency, I have often wondered if early treatment with a vitamin mineral supplement would help. Most chick vitamins have no minerals, but a few do such as Rooster Booster Poultry Booster, and Poultry Nutri-Drench or Poultry Cell. I've not had chickens with this defect, but there are some good articles available here to read:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it.html
http://ontheurbanfarm.blogspot.com/2012/10/cross-beaksplit-beak-not-hopeless.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ds-chickens-including-tube-feeding-techniques
 
Personally I'd cull, other people probably would not. It gets worse as they grow, their beaks have a quick similar to a dogs nail and will bleed if cut too short. A lot of the time it's also hereditary. You'd have to contantly trim the beak top and bottom because they can't properly hone them, many have issues eating and drinking as well so you may have to assist in that to keep the bird at a healthy weight.
 
Nutri drench was something I was going to give a try. After watching her try and eat I realized she needed a deeper bowl. She is the smallest of all the pullets I got and funny thing is she's the bossy one of the bunch most of time. I may just have my vet take a look at her beak and see what he thinks as if it get worse I can't sit and watch her struggle. Thanks for the links I will definitely check them all out!
 
If it get worse or I am unable to trim or help her I may have to resort to that. Don't want to give up on her yet but she will obviously take a great deal of care. Hopefully if it is a nutrition issue giving her extra vitamins and mineral may help. Thanks for the info on the quick, I will leave the trimming to my vet just in case. I'm the goofy person who inevitably cuts my dogs nails to close.
 

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