Crossed beaks

[amberruments]

Hi there,

Again my chicks are just going through it for some reason. I have never had this many problems with raising chicks but they just keep presenting new problems. We have these about 4 weeks old chicks that in the begging ig we’re just starting to show signs of the crossed beak but as of recently, they have moved even more. I’m scared it will become a problem concerning them getting food or water. What should I do so I can help Them in any way?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Crossed beaks are always hereditary. You need to stop breeding the birds that are begetting these chicks or you'll constantly have the problem.
And yes, the more they cross, the mor problems they will have.
I don't know what your flock aims are but I wouldn't use any related birds for breeding, especially these chick. Best bet would be to eat these and start with new unrelated birds.

 

[Iluveggers]

@JustBabyMargo

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Poor things. Looks like some more serious cases. I’m sorry you’ve been having such trouble with your chicks, and I hope everything works out for you in the end.

I would offer mashed food (water and chick feed mashed together to make a soupy like feed) and see if they can eat that. If they really can’t eat that, they may need to be tube fed. Unfortunately, their beaks will, more than likely, cross even more. Something else that will need to be done, when they are older, are beak trimmings.

I’m going to call in a member I know that has a chicken with a more major case of crossbeak, and hopefully she can chime in ( @ThinMintTheChicken ). My crossbeaks’ beaks are more minor.

 

[ThinMintTheChicken]

Poor things. Looks like some more serious cases. I’m sorry you’ve been having such trouble with your chicks, and I hope everything works out for you in the end.

I would offer mashed food (water and chick feed mashed together to make a soupy like feed) and see if they can eat that. If they really can’t eat that, they may need to be tube fed. Unfortunately, their beaks will, more than likely, cross even more. Something else that will need to be done, when they are older, are beak trimmings.

I’m going to call in a member I know that has a chicken with a more major case of crossbeak, and hopefully she can chime in ( @ThinMintTheChicken ). My crossbeaks’ beaks are more minor.

(Thank you for the tag!)

Hi there,

Again my chicks are just going through it for some reason. I have never had this many problems with raising chicks but they just keep presenting new problems. We have these about 4 weeks old chicks that in the begging ig we’re just starting to show signs of the crossed beak but as of recently, they have moved even more. I’m scared it will become a problem concerning them getting food or water. What should I do so I can help Them in any way?

How many chicks do you have? Are these the only two affected? You will need to monitor their weight to make sure their eating enough. You can make mash by wetting down crumbles, pellets, or buying dry mash from a feed store and also wetting it down with some water. Oatmeal is also easier for them to eat because it sticks to their beaks long enough for them to eat it. Mash will also stick, which is why I recommend it. As for drinking, they will usually figure it out on their own, but you can try dipping their bottom part of their beaks in the water to teach them.

Where did you get them?