Diary of a Crossbeak: Support for Special Needs Chickens and their Keepers

[ramirezframing]

I use a pedi paw (the dog nail trimmer) just remove the top plastic nail guard

 

[chicksplease]

Is this it

 

[Maligator]

Yep, that's it. I use a shop dremel. Same thing, higher speed.

I also use a large, rough nail file. I swaddle them in a blanket to be sure they can't move, then gently pry the beak open with my fingertips and work slow. My crossbeak will try and pull away, and I just keep at it until I have the shape I want. Since mine curves to the side, I hit the tops and bottoms of both sides, as well as the bottom beak tip.

 

[ramirezframing]

yup

 

[chicksplease]

Thanks guys

 

[kukupecpec]

Hey guys, I was wondering if in your opinion Lady needs a beak trim? IT seems like every day her beak curves down more and more.

 

[ramirezframing]

I would trim her

 

[ll]

kukupecpec definitely trim that

and give her a brick to rub her beak on.

 

[kukupecpec]

I'm worried about trimming it back too far. I have been putting it off because you can see the blood supply SO close to the end of her beak. It just keeps getting longer and more twisted down. I'll have my vet take a look at it - I would never trim it myself, too delicate and too difficult to do alone.
Thanks guys!

 

[Maligator]

Yep! Trim that!

I found it easy to do alone if you swaddle them into a tight blanket and cradle them on your lap. They struggle for a little but then settle right down. At least mine do, even with my most flighty bird!

Not only would I dremel back the top beak, I would trim back the bottom as well so that it starts seating together correctly.

With the dremel, you can gradually get that quick back. Start slow, stop if you see a few sprouts of blood and apply a stopping agent, give it a few days and gently dremel back a little more. Rinse and repeat until it is where you need it. The key is to do it often so that the quick begins to recede back. The vet may be able to clip and then cauterize with a stop stick.

Let us know how it goes!