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

[nettifer]

i lost my little polish girl oddie at 6mths old

but if you look at my profile pic you can see how bad it was! i used to trim with a pedi as well, but she could only eact chick crumb but used to drink well, but she could have had other things going on internally !

 

[BullChick]

i lost my little polish girl oddie at 6mths old but if you look at my profile pic you can see how bad it was! i used to trim with a pedi as well, but she could only eact chick crumb but used to drink well, but she could have had other things going on internally !

(((Hugs)))

 

[nurschic]

When trimming a cross beak (7 weeks old), only the top beak should be trimmed….right????

 

[BullChick]

When trimming a cross beak (7 weeks old), only the top beak should be trimmed….right????

I would have to say yes. It seems rare that a bottom beak needs trimmed.

 

[NewToFarming]

I have to trim my girls bottom beak. Hers does not seem to be formed right. It kind curls inward on both sides and seems very thick, It is hard to describe. I just trimmed her up yesterday again with the pedi-paws. She seems to enjoy it and will fall asleep but when she has had enough, there is no holding her.

 

[nurschic]

Well, I trimmed my girls beak for the first time yesterday. I wrapped her up tight in a hand towel and laid her on her back on my lap. I used my dremal tool and it was quick! After I was done she ran around looking like she was chewing. I did notice that she is still eating using the side of her beak and not pecking still. Will this change once she realizes that she can actually peck again????

 

[BullChick]

Well, I trimmed my girls beak for the first time yesterday. I wrapped her up tight in a hand towel and laid her on her back on my lap. I used my dremal tool and it was quick! After I was done she ran around looking like she was chewing. I did notice that she is still eating using the side of her beak and not pecking still. Will this change once she realizes that she can actually peck again????

Probably. It might also feel weird. A moment ago her head was vibrating!
I wonder if chickens get headaches?

And now I am wondering if other birds get cross beaks?

 

[Katt66]

I have to trim my guy's bottom beak as well. The top is just a very sharp hook and turns slightly to the side, so I just trim it back a bit to try and lessen the curve a bit. The bottom though, as you've described, both sides sort of curve in towards the middle. Forming almost a tube. So I dremel off both edges to sort of open it back up. Food gets stuck in there and dries and forms a sort of cement because he can't get his tongue in there to get it out when he's eating I guess.

 

[NewToFarming]

I have to trim my guy's bottom beak as well. The top is just a very sharp hook and turns slightly to the side, so I just trim it back a bit to try and lessen the curve a bit. The bottom though, as you've described, both sides sort of curve in towards the middle. Forming almost a tube. So I dremel off both edges to sort of open it back up. Food gets stuck in there and dries and forms a sort of cement because he can't get his tongue in there to get it out when he's eating I guess.

That sounds exactly like how my girls beak is with the sharp hook type top beak and the tube like bottom beak. I have not tried to grind the sides. Thank you! I will try to do that see if that helps her better! Here is a picture of her. I am not sure if you can see it very well. She is doing pretty well though. This was after she was broody and raising chicks and was in desperate need of trimming. I can't trim her when she is broody or with chicks because she turns into a crazy wild chicken during this time. LOL She is a great Mom though! She will soon be 3 years old.

 

[Firekin1]

We have a chick we named hawk face, though the sex is unknown at the moment since it's only about 4 weeks old with a hooked beak. Both top and bottom appear to be aligned just fine however the chick can't completely close it's mouth. Any suggestions? It's growing the same rate as the rest it's age. ( it was peeping in this photo, the beak closes with a small gap between top and bottom)



h.