Cross Beak

[ChewBokBok]

I have a chick about 2 weeks old that got cross beak about a week ago. It is very active and eats and drinks ( It just has a bit of trouble eating. ) It has got significantly
worse over the past few days. Is there anything i can do to help it? Thanks.

 

[the_peanut_coop]

I have a chick about 2 weeks old that got cross beak about a week ago. It is very active and eats and drinks ( It just has a bit of trouble eating. ) It has got significantly
worse over the past few days. Is there anything i can do to help it? Thanks.
View attachment 3075782

@JustBabyMargo @Little Baby Bean

 

[NatJ]

Is there anything i can do to help it?

There does not seem to be any way to cure crossbeak, or to stop it getting worse.
Chicks with crossbeaks sometimes have other physical problems too (not obvious ones, but things that can prevent them growing properly or being healthy.)

You can make sure the chick gets enough to eat.
Tips I've read:
--Wet mash in a deep dish can help (chick starter + water)
--Extra time to eat can help (in a separate pen for mealtime, so no competing with other chicks to get the food)
--Tube feeding is required in some cases.

To know if it is getting enough food, you can weigh it and weigh a normal chick. If you weigh them each week and make a note of the weights, you can tell if the crossbeak is growing at a normal rate. If it grows much slower than the normal chick, either it needs more food, or it has some other problem (probably not fixable.)

If the chick sits around lethargic, it is probably not eating enough. If it is active and acts like a normal chicken, it might be eating enough. It is possible for a chick to eat enough that it acts normal, but not enough to grow properly, which is why I suggest weighing it regularly to check growth.

The chick will probably not be able to wear down the tip of the beak like normal chickens do, so it will get too long. You can trim it as needed, using a file or a dremel tool or a pair of nail clippers. Be careful not to trim the chick's tongue, and not to cut into the quick (part with nerves and blood in the middle of the beak.) The part at the end of the beak that is semi-transparent is typically safe to trim.

Some chicks with crossbeak go on to live fairly normal lives (with help for eating and beak trimming.) Some others do not. I cannot predict what will work for your chick.

Of course culling the chick is also a possibility. If the chick seems to have a good quality of life, and you are willing to provide extra care, there is no need to cull. But if you are not able to provide the care it needs, culling is kinder than letting it starve to death.

 

[ChewBokBok]

I will give it some mash and see if that helps. I will also weigh it to make sure its getting enough.

 

[Mrs J]

There does not seem to be any way to cure crossbeak, or to stop it getting worse.
Chicks with crossbeaks sometimes have other physical problems too (not obvious ones, but things that can prevent them growing properly or being healthy.)

You can make sure the chick gets enough to eat.
Tips I've read:
--Wet mash in a deep dish can help (chick starter + water)
--Extra time to eat can help (in a separate pen for mealtime, so no competing with other chicks to get the food)
--Tube feeding is required in some cases.

To know if it is getting enough food, you can weigh it and weigh a normal chick. If you weigh them each week and make a note of the weights, you can tell if the crossbeak is growing at a normal rate. If it grows much slower than the normal chick, either it needs more food, or it has some other problem (probably not fixable.)

If the chick sits around lethargic, it is probably not eating enough. If it is active and acts like a normal chicken, it might be eating enough. It is possible for a chick to eat enough that it acts normal, but not enough to grow properly, which is why I suggest weighing it regularly to check growth.

The chick will probably not be able to wear down the tip of the beak like normal chickens do, so it will get too long. You can trim it as needed, using a file or a dremel tool or a pair of nail clippers. Be careful not to trim the chick's tongue, and not to cut into the quick (part with nerves and blood in the middle of the beak.) The part at the end of the beak that is semi-transparent is typically safe to trim.

Some chicks with crossbeak go on to live fairly normal lives (with help for eating and beak trimming.) Some others do not. I cannot predict what will work for your chick.

Of course culling the chick is also a possibility. If the chick seems to have a good quality of life, and you are willing to provide extra care, there is no need to cull. But if you are not able to provide the care it needs, culling is kinder than letting it starve to death.

I couldn’t agree more..I work from home so I can bring my Lola inside to feed her separately. It is time consuming, I bring her in 4 times a day, morning, lunch, dinner and supper. This works for me because I can wash my dishes and clean my kitchen while I wait for her to eat. I’m often finished before her I also leave a liquid mash out for her at all times so I know she is eating enough.

 

[WhySayWhat]

My cross beak turns 1 year old in 3 days! I feed wet mash daily to the whole coop ( large dog bowl), separating her caused other issues and she's already at the bottom of the pecking order. She took longer to start laying, but she now lays the prettiest blue/green egg!

 

[Stellasmomma]

I have a chick about 2 weeks old that got cross beak about a week ago. It is very active and eats and drinks ( It just has a bit of trouble eating. ) It has got significantly
worse over the past few days. Is there anything i can do to help it? Thanks.
View attachment 3075782

I have a silkie who has a cross beak she turned 2 this year, I have had to make sure to trim her beak about once a month (my farm vet showed me how) and in doing that she has done very well she eats on her own the normal chicken food and you would not know she was any different, they often need help when they are babies (some surprisingly don't mine did not) There are several people on this board who have cross beaks of varying degrees and so much helpful info!! I wish I could remember everyone's names but if you do a search for Cross beak chicks I'm sure the threads will come up! There is also a group on Facebook for cross beaks that is super helpful! Very cute baby! Attached is a photo of Elvis from a few months ago she needed a beak trim at that point She eats completely on her own regular chicken food and treats and has thrived so keep hope!!

 

[GingerRose]

This is my guy, Picasso...
He was hatched on July 22nd this year.
He eats mash, we call it soup.
He is a PISTOLBALL!!!
They can live their BEST life if you have enough determination and (really) time.
Picasso gets 3 scrubdown baths each week.
They can't preen themselves.
If they are eating good, they get realy dirty.
I give Picasso so many baths because he is so fluffy. I think about a cat or a dog with matted fur, I'm sure its not comfortable and it could stink if not kept clean, maybe even cause him to get sickly. Lord knows he dont need any more problems...
Keep us updated on how your chick progresses, or even if it degresses....

WE LOVE PHOTOS!!!

 

[Mrs J]

This is my guy, Picasso...
He was hatched on July 22nd this year.
He eats mash, we call it soup.
He is a PISTOLBALL!!!
They can live their BEST life if you have enough determination and (really) time.
Picasso gets 3 scrubdown baths each week.
They can't preen themselves.
If they are eating good, they get realy dirty.
I give Picasso so many baths because he is so fluffy. I think about a cat or a dog with matted fur, I'm sure its not comfortable and it could stink if not kept clean, maybe even cause him to get sickly. Lord knows he dont need any more problems...
Keep us updated on how your chick progresses, or even if it degresses....

WE LOVE PHOTOS!!!

View attachment 3292388View attachment 3292389View attachment 3292390

Wow that cross beak is really severe, I think it is amazing the way you look after your boy

 

[GingerRose]

May we have an update on your chick, please?

Picasso checking himself out in the mirror.... I wonder what he thinks?