deformed beak

[magpiesing]

I noticed that my three month old chick has an odd beak. The top is curving downward. The bottom mandible seems too long and he can't close his mouth. Has no problem eating and drinking though. Can the tip of the lower beak be trimmed or maybe filed like a fingernail? I've had to trim parrot beaks so just wondering or should I let it be? Thanks Magpie

 

[Mei&Popcorn]

I noticed that my three month old chick has an odd beak. The top is curving downward. The bottom mandible seems too long and he can't close his mouth. Has no problem eating and drinking though. Can the tip of the lower beak be trimmed or maybe filed like a fingernail? I've had to trim parrot beaks so just wondering or should I let it be? Thanks Magpie

Yes, you can and should trim it down. Hold him down and file it down... but stop once you see tissue (or it'll bleed)... Here is how a blogger trimmed down the beak of one of her scissor beaked hens: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it.html

It might grow longer and later restrict him from eating/drinking - are his bowls deep enough to get enough food/water?