Cross beak. Help!

[abbygibson1212]

I got two chicks from Orschelns in the beginning of March, they are three and a half weeks old. My speckled Sussex looked perfectly normal for the first three weeks or so and then today I noticed her beak is crossing, my salmon faverolles beak is straight but there is a gap between the top and bottom. What do I need to do for my speckled Sussex? Keep it trimmed and hope for the best, or put her down? I just want to do what's best for her. Also, is my salmon faverolles beak going to cross? And is there any way I can prevent hers from crossing too? Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Speckled Sussex

Salmon faverolles

 

[whitmore]

I had a scissor beaked chick where it was noticeable at a few days old. It got so bad that she couldn't eat by herself. I fed her a mash and kept her going as long as I could. I weighed her daily and when she stopped gaining and started losing I figured it was time. My opinion is that if your chick is eating on its own and growing then you should be able to get away with beak trimming. The chicken chick's website has an article about what she did with her scissor beaked chicken that was helpful.

 

[abbygibson1212]

@whitmore She doesn't feel thin, but she is growing MUCH slower than the other chicks I have. I know it is manageable sometimes, but I also have a lot of other animals to care for because I farm, and I don't want her to live a short miserable life either. I guess I can watch for a couple more days and if it looks like it's worsening really quickly I will put her down, If it doesn't get too bad I can leave her be because she's still eating. Should I call and complain to the hatchery? Would they even have any sympathy or would they just brush it off?

 

[TNchickies]

I would not call the hatchery; they probably would not have any sympathy. I agree with whitmore, she should be okay. Keep an eye on her and if she isn't doing well, you can take her to a vet or handle it 'the other way'. Good luck!

 

[abbygibson1212]

@TNchickies Okay, that's what I will do. Do you know if it costs anything to have them put down at the vet, if that's what it comes too?

 

[TNchickies]

I am not sure :/ Perhaps calling a veterinarian's office may answer your questions. I imagine that just walking into the place will cost you a good amount of money, unfortunately.

 

[whitmore]

@whitmore She doesn't feel thin, but she is growing MUCH slower than the other chicks I have. I know it is manageable sometimes, but I also have a lot of other animals to care for because I farm, and I don't want her to live a short miserable life either. I guess I can watch for a couple more days and if it looks like it's worsening really quickly I will put her down, If it doesn't get too bad I can leave her be because she's still eating. Should I call and complain to the hatchery? Would they even have any sympathy or would they just brush it off?

I wouldn't bother complaining. They never responded to me. I emailed the hatchery because I had one scissor beaked chick and one with a deformed wing. The wing turned out fine and you can't even tell there was ever anything different about Nemo. I had to handle mine the old fashioned way. It took me a couple of days to work up the nerve. Honestly as bad as it got as quick as it did I knew she was doomed. I bawled like a baby. I tried so hard to save her. As long as she can eat she should be fine. If you notice she is losing weight I would say that is the time. She will probably always be smaller because she can't eat as well as the others

 

[ChickenNamaste]

One of my 4 month girls has slight scissor beak. She is much smaller, but doing well. I think a little extra supplements provided will help alot. Also if you can hard boiled eggs mashed up can give them the boost they need to.. Don't give up, I am not sure when mine developed her scissor beak, she came to us like that, but she has made this far!

 

[abbygibson1212]

@whitmore @ChickenNamaste Thank you. What do you think about my faverolles? Is her beak suppose to be like that or is she going to get crossbeak too?

 

[whitmore]

I don't think it will be scissored. I don't really know, some of my chicks this year looked like that and when I would look again later they had their beaks closed so I am not really sure.