Crooked beak

[Rocky200]

I have a pullet about 6 weeks with a very crooked beak. I keep getting conflicting info about what to do. The internet says that she’ll lead a normal life but to make sure the feed is in a deep dish and small pieces. I really want to keep her but I don’t have the time to hand feed her. Realistically she has to be able to eat on her own is this possible with a crooked beak. I have no photos but it’s very crooked. Someone said it can be clipped somehow? Any tips or advice is appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a pullet about 6 weeks with a very crooked beak. I keep getting conflicting info about what to do. The internet says that she’ll lead a normal life but to make sure the feed is in a deep dish and small pieces. I really want to keep her but I don’t have the time to hand feed her. Realistically she has to be able to eat on her own is this possible with a crooked beak. I have no photos but it’s very crooked. Someone said it can be clipped somehow? Any tips or advice is appreciated.

Hi @Rocky200 Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your pullet. If you can provide photos, that would be helpful.

It's very hard to know whether a chick(en) with a crooked beak will be able to survive without your assistance. If it is severe, she may need daily help. Some thrive and do just fine with deep dish and wet food.
I suppose you find conflicting info since each "case" is different. Cross/Crooked/Scissor beak, whatever you want to call it can be mild all the way up to so severe the chick needs to be culled.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/

 

[Rocky200]

View attachment 1804684

[. QUOTE="Wyorp Rock, post: 21436438, member: 380647"]Hi @Rocky200 Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your pullet. If you can provide photos, that would be helpful.

It's very hard to know whether a chick(en) with a crooked beak will be able to survive without your assistance. If it is severe, she may need daily help. Some thrive and do just fine with deep dish and wet food.
I suppose you find conflicting info since each "case" is different. Cross/Crooked/Scissor beak, whatever you want to call it can be mild all the way up to so severe the chick needs to be culled.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/[/QUOTE].

Here are the photos. She doesn’t seem under weight yet but I don’t want her to suffer. She’s made it this long on her own with no hand feeding

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If she is eating/drinking/active, then I would probably just keep watch on her. Sometimes a chicken that has a crooked beak may have other developmental problems that come to light as they mature. It's just really hard to know.

I would check her crop several times a week to see if she is going to bed with a full crop and it would also be a good idea to weigh her so you can tell if she's gaining weight. Feathers hide a lot.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. As has already been stated survival of cross beak chickens is a bird by bird situation. Generally feeding wet feed in a deep dish facilitates eating as may trimming the tips of the beak. It amounts to a lifetime of special care.

 

[Rocky200]

She’s a bit of a character I’d hate to lose her. She managed to hunt a catapillar and had all 8 siblings chasing her for it I sure hope she got to eat it after all that. I will do that and keep a close eye on her. I can probably manage to weigh her. Thanks for the advice on that.

 

[Rocky200]

Welcome to BYC. As has already been stated survival of cross beak chickens is a bird by bird situation. Generally feeding wet feed in a deep dish facilitates eating as may trimming the tips of the beak. It amounts to a lifetime of special care.

Sourland, thanks. ok with special care I just can’t hand feed her the rest of her life with a syring or something. Would consider beak trim if it didn’t hurt her.

 

[sourland]

Sourland, thanks. ok with special care I just can’t hand feed her the rest of her life with a syring or something. Would consider beak trim if it didn’t hurt her.

Have you ever trimmed a dog's toenails ? It is basically the same concept - just trim back to the quick. Some folks use a Dremel and file down the beak.

 

[Fluffy Hens]

Omg, I have the same bird, same color. Mine was in a bin at TSC. Her beak looks just like the one you have. She eats fine, preferrs pellets over crumbles and I trim it. She is a happy, friendly bird.

 

[Rocky200]

Yeah I’ve done dogs nails. I could probably manage it if it comes down to it.