Cross Beak

[ssferret]

I just noticed one of my 12 week old pullets has a jaw or overextended beak problem. The lower part of the beak extends further out and is also crooked. I don't know if she had it when she hatched and I never noticed it before or not. My biggest concern right now is that she'll start having trouble eating or drinking, if she hasn't already.

Is there anything I can do for her or does she have to live with it and if it's the latter will she be ok and the only problem is cosmetic?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you get some photos from the sides? It looks fairly mild. You can help maintain shape of the beak by filing down the edges and any overgrowth at the tip as she grows older, otherwise make sure she can eat and drink ok. Crossbeak can have a genetic component so do not hatch her eggs.

 

[ssferret]

I was thinking about it being slight so I've been hoping that was a good sign. She's such a sweetheart. I don't want to have to put her down.

I'll be able to get a side shot in the morning. Unfortunately it's pretty late at night where I am right now.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was thinking about it being slight so I've been hoping that was a good sign. She's such a sweetheart. I don't want to have to put her down.

I'll be able to get a side shot in the morning. Unfortunately it's pretty late at night where I am right now.

No problem. I know some folks put down crossbeaks but if it's not severe you're mostly looking at needing to do some beak maintenance every once in a while, and maybe keep an eye on her eating (deep feeders and/or wet or fermented feed is easier for them), ability to groom (since that can be affected), and ability to drink, depending on the waterer. If you use horizontal nipple waterers that can be difficult for them, so that's something to keep an eye o - took me a couple weeks to ensure my crossbeak could use it properly, because she simply can't aim correctly as the tip of her beak is off center.

 

[ssferret]

The waterer Bitty uses is the average, run of the mill waterer. I was thinking of changing it to nipples eventually. If I do I will definitely make sure she can use it.

Actually I considered this as more of a crooked beak but than I saw people using Cross Beak so I just thought it was called that even though it was a mild case. I just assume to much sometimes. LOL

I'm going to get you a profile picture in a couple of hours, when I'm sitting with the youngsters. It makes things easier to take pictures when they decide to come up to me and Bitty loves the attention she gets when sitting on me. Actually, most of them do.

I just can't help babying my guys no matter what age. My rooster, one of my hatchlings from last year, loves to greet me when I sit with him and the hens (if he's not busy with one or more of them that is. Lol)

 

[ssferret]

I took several pics of Bitty's beak including profiles of both sides.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yeah it's a milder case, it's good being able to see it from top and both sides though. Might worsen a bit more but she's half grown already so it's not the same as if you spotted this at 1 week old for example, where it's very likely to worsen a lot more.

 

[ssferret]

I started looking at the beaks Bitty's 4 siblings. The don't have the same problem but they don't seem to fit together properly either. Both part look like they're the same lengths.

Here is Bitty and 3 of her siblings. BTW, I don't think these are Light Brahmas. Look at the comb on the male. I've never seen a comb like that on 12 week old cockerels but I'm making a separate post to as about that.

Check the beak on my pullet and cockerel I hatched.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No experience with Brahmas so I can't ID - but I can see what you mean about the beaks. Probably not a good batch genetically to hatch from, if that was your hope.

 

[ssferret]

Yeah it's a milder case, it's good being able to see it from top and both sides though. Might worsen a bit more but she's half grown already so it's not the same as if you spotted this at 1 week old for example, where it's very likely to worsen a lot more.

So how do I manage it. Just leave it be and make sure she's eating and drinking? File it a little? Take her to the vet?...