Beak not closing all the way

[sourland]

He is cross - beaked. @rosemarythyme has given good advice/outlook. Good luck with him.

 

[White Valley Acres]

My chick is three weeks old and I realized its beak is not closing all the way. It is eating and drinking and has been growing normally, but its beak does not close all the way Any advice?

It could be two different things. My first idea is that it might be too hot, if it looks like labored breathing then it's possible the brooder or coop is too hot. My second idea is that it's possible it has slight split beak, which means it's jaws don't line up quite right. If it's not struggling other than breathing, it's probably fine!

If it starts to develop split beak, sometimes it can be harmful (unable to eat/drink) and sometimes they learn to do with it!