Cross beak

[The Coop Crew]

This is Dorthy, our rainbow layer. She has a pretty severe cross beak but seems to be growing and acting fine. I’ve read that chickens with cross beak can lead normal lives but I just wanted to hear some similar stories and see if there is anything I should be doing differently. Thanks so much!

 

[sourland]

Just monitor her closely. Sometimes cross beak worsens, but other times it does not. If necessary moistened feed in a deep dish aids these birds in eating. Good luck with her.

 

[The Coop Crew]

Just monitor her closely. Sometimes cross beak worsens, but other times it does not. If necessary moistened feed in a deep dish aids these birds in eating. Good luck with her.

Thank you! I’ve been keeping a close eye on her and she’s actually one of our bigger girls. Do you think clipping her beak would help?

 

[sourland]

It sometimes becomes necessary to trim the tips of their beaks if they become excessively long and interfere with eating.

 

[The Coop Crew]

It sometimes becomes necessary to trim the tips of their beaks if they become excessively long and interfere with eating.

Okay thank you! Luckily there doesn’t seem to be any other deformities (eyes,ect). She wasn’t hatched with a cross beak she just gradually developed it.

 

[Logar]

If she is eating, drinking, and growing well then I would just keep a close eye making sure none of that changes. If she seems to begin struggling to eat or drink or it looks to be overgrown then I would try to file down but if she is doing well I personally wouldn’t want to potentially mess with her. I haven’t had any experience with cross beak but I am friends with someone who has a silkie with extremely severe cross beak, like twice as bad as yours, and they are doing amazing at over 15 weeks old. Remember that chickens are resilient and don’t worry too much.

 

[The Coop Crew]

If she is eating, drinking, and growing well then I would just keep a close eye making sure none of that changes. If she seems to begin struggling to eat or drink or it looks to be overgrown then I would try to file down but if she is doing well I personally wouldn’t want to potentially mess with her. I haven’t had any experience with cross beak but I am friends with someone who has a silkie with extremely severe cross beak, like twice as bad as yours, and they are doing amazing at over 15 weeks old. Remember that chickens are resilient and don’t worry too much.

Thanks so much! I am a worrier for sure

 

[MommyGirl]

I have a cross beak chicken that’s 4 years old now and has always done fine getting enough food.

 

[The Coop Crew]

I have a cross beak chicken that’s 4 years old now and has always done fine getting enough food.

Yay! I’m so glad to hear that!