Cross-beak chick

[HorseFeathers]

This isn't really and emergency, I just want to know what you guys think.

We've had surprisingly good luck with our chicks. Just one seems to be a boy and just one seems to have a problem.

So how bad is Cross-Beak Chick, really? That first picture is from Friday and the other from today.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

As it gets older it will get worse and more crossed. I've seen some where the bottom part of the beak was at a 90 degree angle from the top.

 

[steve2495]

it does get worse but i wouldnt worry about it too much. they will have trouble eating off of flat surfaces so make sure u provide it food in a container rather than thrown on the ground so it can eat easier

 

[janen_33]

Hi Horsefeathers,

We have a cross-beak chick. Unfortunately, it does worsen (as she grows, her beak grows). She's 4 mos., the smallest of our 3, but she's awesome (and the sweetest)! Like Steve said, if you provide a deep dish for her, she'll be able to eat...she'll scoop her food from the side. It's messy, but the other chicks usually eat (some of) the food that gets spilled. We used a small cream cheese container and nailed it to a block of wood (about 3 inches. The wood allows her to stand above the food and it also keeps the container from moving around).

One impt. note: you'll want to 'clean' the bottom beak because food and sand will get lodged in, harden, and make it difficult for her to eat more food. Ours will drink water and use her tongue to clear out what she can, but we have to manually do it a couple times a day. OOH, she seems to eat practically ALL DAY.

Use the end of a feather, dip in water (to soften the debris) and scoop out GENTLY. Oh, we also file her top beak (before the quick) because it curves in pretty far.....so, basically, she just needs a little bit of special attention, that's all!

Good luck.

Jane