Crossed beak

[Ohio_Mama]

I just got my Cochin chicks yesterday that I had shipped from the hatchery. I noticed that one had a crossed beak. Is there something that I need to do for it? Will it be able to eat/drink OK by itself? I am completely new to the world of chickens.
Thanks!

 

[Judy]

A lot of variation in how well they do. You do not want to breed this one. Do a search here for cross beak or scissors beak. I have not dealt with this. The hatchery might give you credit if you call.

 

[Kezzie]

I just responded to the same question in another thread.

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Do you have pics? Is both top and bottom skewed or just one or the other? I have two crossbeaks that are 13 weeks old. One is really bad- the top beak is 45 degrees from the bottom. The bottom is perfectly straight and she does just fine so far because she can still use her bottom beak as a spoon of sorts. If it was the bottom beak that was skewed, I could see that a chick might have more problems eating and drinking.

Lots of people here on the boards suggest making sure she has a deep food dish to eat from as she won't be able to peck tiny bits of food.

I think some people here will tell you to cull and some will say do everything you can for her. I would say (based on my really limited experience so far) to just watch her and if she's eating and drinking fine, just let her be. You may have to cull her down the road if she can't feed herself or if her crossbeak is just the tip of the iceberg for other congenital problems she may have.

Whatever you do, don't breed her. Some crossbeaks are congenital and some happen while incubating, but it may be hard to tell which is the case. You don't want to pass on that deformity. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[mtsignalfarm]

I use for my ameraucanas a powder "KOAGULONE",it helps keep beaks and claws straight but I don't know if it will remedy your chicks,it's a 1/8tsp. to gallon water.keep in mind if you are going to breed,u would not want that trait being passed on to other chicks...good luck!

 

[Emzyyy]

I have 2 crossbeaked chickens one is a silkie the other a sebright and the sebright can eat on its own but the silkie I take out and I filled a fish tank of feed and place her in that shut the top and let her eat for about an hour and then let her out. As long as the feed is deep enough that they can scoop it out their fine. She is the sweetest hen I own she follows me everywhere.

 

[Kezzie]

Quote:
That's a vitamin A & K supplement. Not sure it's going to do anything for cross-beak.