Bottom jaw ajar

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

I have had many a chicken, but this is a new one on me. I got 40 chicks and they all seemed normal and healthy. Then in about 2 weeks I noticed one of my Americanas bottom jaw was slightly ajar from the other one. I picked her up and moved it around and back under the beak but it just went back to the same spot. Otherwise she looked healthy, eating and drinking fine and no one is picking on her. About a week later it was more ajar. Once again moved it around same scenario. Same the next week except it wasn’t as fluid moving it back under the beak. I know the jaw wasn’t dislocated bc it wasn’t hanging but whatever it is, it is becoming more set to stay ajar and gets worse by the week. She is about 6 wks old now. I’m guessing it is continually moving out because she cannot pick up food straight on and has to peck from the side of the beak and jaw to get her feed. So it is just getting pushed further and further out. She is still healthy, gaining and growing. She’s very friendly. But always eating I feel bc she just can’t get enough at once. The issue also with this being that I HAVE to keep the feeder full so she can get in deep enough to get it in her mouth. As you know, they like to dig and scatter the food from the feeder then eat off the ground. But I have to continually fill it up for just her and it is creating a huge feed waste. And Also that since it just keeps moving more and more to the side, now her beak (top) is starting to get super long and curve down and in. Has anyone ever seen this issue? Any suggestions? I’ll be making a tube feeder when I move them to their house and out of the brooder, so that will help with the food waste but that won’t be for a couple of weeks. And what about the top beak curving. It’s almost like when a cats nails get too long and curve inward or rabbit teeth. This is just an oddity for me. I have of course named her Beaks.

 

[Barredbuzzard34]

I have no idea about the bottom jaw, but as far as the top part, the curving seems pretty normal given that she probably isn't able to scrape her beak and keep it in shape. The way I understand it, chicken's beaks are continually growing, and when they wipe their beaks on the ground they are filing them down and shaping them. Some people will help file their chicken's beaks for them when they cannot do it themselves, which you might want to consider.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Poor thing has cross beak. I'd read up on it for how to manage it but it is manageable!

 

[BabasCoop]

Cross beak or scissor beak. It can sometimes be fatal if they can’t eat or drink. But I believe it can be managed. Id research it.

 

[coach723]

Here is more info on scissor beak:
https://meyerhatchery.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017990812-Cross-Beak-Causes-and-Management
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/
It is not necessarily a death sentence, but that bird may need some additional care to live a healthy life, and that is entirely up to you and how much you are willing to do. Feeders and waterers need to be deeper than usual to help them pick up food. Pecking things up off the ground will be difficult or impossible for this bird. It would be a good idea to monitor the weight regularly to make sure it's taking in enough. You may need to do periodic beak trims since it won't wear normally. If you have large rocks or concrete blocks available, it may help it to do some honing on it's own. If you have a large flock and this bird has trouble feeding, then the competition may not allow it to get enough access, so in that case you might need to separate into a smaller enclosure with a few other birds it gets along with so that it has more opportunity, monitoring it's weight will help you figure that out.

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

Thank You for giving it a name. It was easy to look up after that. Meyer hatchery was actually the first to pop up. I’ve been keeping the feeder full for her knowing she would need deep food to be able to eat. As I mentioned ... she is great, active and same size as the rest. Just eats more often I’m guessing bc it takes longer to get the amount she needs. The rock is a great idea. Their feeder in the new house will be deep and they will be unable to just scratch it out so it should be better for her once they move to that in a week or so. Thank You!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Wetting the feed and giving her a deep dish could definitely help.

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

I agree. The dish is deep which is why I keep it full. I think a mash would be great. And make it easier. Other than then she would have dried mash stuck to her face all the time. It’s the 39 other chickens As well that she is in with. I’d make the mash and she’s probably continue on trying to eat the other. If she declines or starts having any issues I’d def take other measure. I just had never seen this before and was curious if anyone had and what is was. But as for now she is super happy and now I know what it is. Thank You all so much!