Can a chicken live a full life if they have a crossed beak?

[McGoo]

I have a little one w/a crossed beak. Is there anything that I can do to align it? Is it life threatening? She seems to be getting her mash pretty easily, but I wonder how she'll do when free-ranging. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Master S.M.C]

Probably may need assistance for feeding purposes but they might. Post so pics of the beak and I'll tell you what I think

 

[McGoo]

Here are two photos of her(?).

Thanks for any help on this.

 

[baldie]

I have a red star that is 9 months old and her beak is similar to that. I just feed her layer mash in a deep bowl. She was in a dog crate in the coop and recently joined the rest of the group with no problems.

 

[scgamecock]

That's pretty bad for that young.It could get worse but I have a Houdan rooster that is completely cross beaked and he is able to eat fine and needs no special care.I also have a Blue/Buff Orpington pullet that is blind in one eye and is cross beaked.I didn't have the heart to put her down so I let her try and she will be 9 months old soon and she needs no special treatment either.I don't think she lays but that's alright cause she is a special girl.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
That one is not that bad as cross beaks go, I got a silkie this weekend that has a cross beak that is a little more crossed than yours, she is 4 mo old and doing great. So maybe we will learn together.

AL

 

[McGoo]

Thanks all. Helen, that's her name, is a shy little Buff Orpington and I don't want to lose her. I Typically feed my grown-up hens pellets, so I'll need to keep an eye on her as she matures and transitions to the pellets. If she doesn't thrive on pellets I'll offer her the mash too.

ps. like you folks - I pamper my chickens... you have no idea - just ask my dh

I'm the brunt of much humor.

 

[al6517]

Mine is on layer crumbles and doing fine. crumbles are easier to bill into their beaks.

AL

 

[annaluna]

Yes, she can live a full life, but may need some assistance... we've had two roosters now with crossed beaks and they must be trimmed back b/c eventually they can cross to the point that they can't eat. It's somewhat traumatic, we trim ours back until it's as straight as possible and it usually bleeds quite a bit. I'm actually looking into how to cauterize our roosters beak b/c it will continue to grow after being trimmed and must be trimmed again every few months, but if the beak is trimmed and cauterized then hopefully it's only one traumatic experience. Let me know if you have more questions. Here's a pic of my rooster (captain crowbar) and his beak trimmed when he was young. He's was also born with only one eye, but he's doing great, is about 8months old now and quite a handsome rooster.

 

[annaluna]

ps. sorry my pics are so big, i'm new to the forum and still learning...