Cross Beak question

[sealer39]

I have an EE chick that developed cross beak at about three weeks of age. She is six weeks old now. The cross beak is minor but she does have trouble eating. She is only about half the size of her sisters. I’m going to get puppy nail clippers today and I already have a file. I’ve read up on all the causes of cross beak and how to trim them so I’m comfortable with that. My question is: If I keep the beak trimmed, is it possible for cross beak to cure itself the older a chicken gets or once a chicken gets cross beak is it permanent?

 

[azygous]

Yes, managing a minor cross beak is what you want to do. It won't cure the problem, but it will make it much easier for her to eat.

If you will notice, the upper beak is too long, and that's due to the position of it making it impossible for the beak to naturally wear down as it keeps growing, thus making the eating problem worse.

Just be very careful to only trim a tiny bit at a time so as not to damage the quick. That would cause excruciating pain and profuse bleeding.

 

[azygous]

Wet feed is easier for a cross beak to eat. I suggest fermenting your feed and all the chickens will benefit from the added nutrients.

 

[Folly's place]

Keeping the beak trimmed will help her eat; hers is more about an 'overbite' if you can use that term for a beak.
She needs a deep dish and crumble or mash to eat, and won't be able to pick stuff off the ground effectively.
If she has no other malformations, she could do okay, as long as you give her the special care she needs. Maybe.
Crossed beaks will tend to get worse over time, sadly.
Handle her weekly, and make sure she's not getting thinner. Malnutrition/ starvation are the problems she faces, and humane euthanasia is better than starvation!
Some of these birds do live for at least a year or two, and some just can't. Producing eggs is a huge metabolic effort, and that's an issue as she matures.
There are threads here about managing birds like her, search them too.
Mary

 

[sealer39]

Thanks for the replies. I just bought the clippers and I have corn starch on hand in case I mess up but I don’t have to take off much so I should be ok.
I usually feed my chickens fermented feed but I stopped because I was out of town a lot lately. I’ll start a new batch today. My big birds love it but these little chicks didn’t take to it when they were younger. I’ll try again.

 

[Criticalicious]

Every batch of chicks I've had, they disliked fermented feed for the first week of introducing it (even the broody raised with mama telling them it was yummy and the 6-week olds that were started from another breeder). It was frustrating throwing it away. But something magical happens on day 8 and suddenly they become fiends for it. So yes, keep trying!

 

[azygous]

I've had a similar experience with chicks and FF. Day-olds in the past have been bewildered by the FF, preferring dry crumbles sprinkled over the brooder floor for the first couple days.

But this past spring I brought home some sex-links. They were just a day old, and they surprised me by tearing right into the FF without any hesitation. They were fans from the very start and still are at seven months.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

I Have a silkie that is 20 weeks old with cross beak, i noticed it after she was just a few weeks old....i give it oatmeal in the morning with smashed banana, and do a mash with the option of dry crumbles during the day since there are 3 other hens that live with the little silkie(not sure if its a pullet or cockerel) it doesnt crow yet..then i do give creamed corn as a treat later in the day....i see it try very hard to eat off the ground, but i do make sure it EATS...i have a very deep bowl for water

 

[sealer39]

Within the first week of age is when I tried to introduce the FF. I’ve already mixed up a new batch. I’ll give them some mash today and a little FF tomorrow before it’s fully fermented.

Will a chicken with cross beak ever be a productive egg layer or am I just trying to keep it alive at this point?

Sorry, if the above video answered this question, I can’t view it, my satellite internet sucks.