Cross beak advice

[kharlin96]

Hi! I’m new to raising chickens and am seeking advice. I’ve read several cross beak posts already but wanted to share my own pictures to seek feedback.
I have 7 silkies and 2 meyers “cookies & cream” chicks that are 4 weeks old. About 3 weeks ago 1 cookies and cream began to develop cross beak. It’s getting worse as she ages and now I see her get frustrated with the feeder and try pulling at it. I do have a deep feeder for her but she ignores that one completely if any other chicks are eating from it.

First pic is from today. Second one is exactly 8 days ago. She has grown until this point but given her hesitation at the feed trough when others are around versus her usual fiesta attitude, I just want to make sure I’m not letting her suffer.

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You aren't going to like my answer. IMO, it isn't repairable or reversable. And is genetic so you do not want to use them for breeding if they survive.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

It looks like your sweet baby is severe. I recommend reading this article here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...kens-including-tube-feeding-techniques.64321/

A crossbeak's beak will continue to cross as it grows older. Because how bad she is already, she's probably going to need to be tube fed all her life and probably should start now. That article says how to do it.

For maintenance outside of tube feeding her, you will need to trim her beak every 2-4 weeks so her beak doesn't get too long. If you're doing it consistently, you should be able to file it down (top beak and bottom) with a regular emery board nail file.

 

[kharlin96]

It looks like your sweet baby is severe. I recommend reading this article here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...kens-including-tube-feeding-techniques.64321/

A crossbeak's beak will continue to cross as it grows older. Because how bad she is already, she's probably going to need to be tube fed all her life and probably should start now. That article says how to do it.

For maintenance outside of tube feeding her, you will need to trim her beak every 2-4 weeks so her beak doesn't get too long. If you're doing it consistently, you should be able to file it down (top beak and bottom) with a regular emery board nail file.

Thank you!

 

[kharlin96]

You aren't going to like my answer. IMO, it isn't repairable or reversable. And is genetic so you do not want to use them for breeding if they survive.

Thank you!

 

[Packy]

Thanks for this, we have a 4 week Silkie that has a really bad cross beak we call her little bit.