Chick with lopsided beak

[deputyswife]

We received our chicks from a farm store about 2 weeks ago. This little girl is a Ameraucana (?) I think, my husband picked them up and doesn't really remember exactly.

When we received them I believe they were just a few days old. I don't remember any of them having problems, and a few days later I noticed one of them had a bottom beak that did not meet the top, slightly. It has been 2 weeks, and the beak has noticeably gotten worse, and is to one side. She seems to be doing fine, but stays by the food longer than the others pecking very hard and fast. I have watched, and it seems she digs a little to get the food in her mouth. I am very new to chickens, and am learning. Has anyone else had this, and if so did the chicken do okay as they grew? If there is something special I need to do, please let me know. Thanks so much

 

[chicmom]

I don't know the technical name of this, but I call it cross beak. It is actually a deformity of the skull, and not the actual beak. Often times it does get worse as the chick grows.

There are a few things you can do to help this chick.......Make sure the chick has a deep feeding dish so that she can "scoop" the food into her mouth, as she may not be able to peck food. Another thing is, you can do a tiny bit of trimming on a chicks beak to correct the crossing and make things easier (not alot now, but a little).

Oftentimes, these chicks are thinner than the others because they have trouble eating. Some live longer than others, depending on the severity of the cross beak. There are chicks that reach adulthood with cross beaks.

Good luck to you!

Sharon

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi and

I haven't personally had first hand experience with this, but I found this info. for you hope it helps. all the best. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2727623

 

[deputyswife]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I can tell already she is my favorite. We have had several "pets" with special needs, and I am used to babying them. I don't know much about trimming, but will educate myself before trying it.