I don't know if this is where I should post this but I have a chick that is developing a beak that's started to look like a hawk. It is curved and hooked. Nothing wrong just overly long. My question is this just because she is in a brooder and hasn't been able to scrape it short and her's tends to naturally grow long? If it continues to grow downwards will her bottom beak grow as well and finally hit each other? Is this something that should not be bred? Now remember this is not crossbeak or any other kind of beak problem. It is just growing long and I have heard of people filing them down so I could I file it down and see if it continues and breed her as well? Thanks.
Could you post pictures, to show how badly the beak is hooked? A hooked beak is a beak issue, she really should not be bred. Her beak will likely require a regular trimming, and it will be a life long issue for her. If she is having trouble eating, you'll need to trim and file her beak every couple weeks. It's a lot like trimming a dog's toe nails, clip the tip off, avoiding the 'quick', then file it down smooth. Clip small pieces at a time. If she's not having any issues eating or drinking, trimming her beak may not be necessary. A close eye should still be kept on her, to ensure no problems develop. Being in a brooder with limited textures may allow quicker growth of her beak, but it's not creating the problem. Even if she were in the yard, she'd still have an overgrown beak.
Okay, that makes sense. I was just wanting to make sure I wasn't making a big deal out of it for nothing. I understand that you agree that it should not be bred but is this like a one hundred percent no I shouldn't. Or is this a quality that is not desirable but that still could be used if it looks real good in all other traits? Thanks. I will get a pic.
No one on this??? I have filed her beak down and it is looking better. I do see where it is shifting the bottom beak over a tad. As she is not to be bred I am still wondering if all of her offspring would have this issue or if only some would? How would this work? Thanks.
I'm not sure its an issue. One of my girls (a light brown leghorn) has a very hooked beak, very hawk-like. She's almost 4 months and it doesn't impede her eating or anything.
It looks like it just needs a trim to me. You can see a line where it looks like its overgrown a bit. Put a good sized rock in your brooder and she'll likely take care of it on her own. Good luck! Nikki
I have trimmed it but when I looked at it later it looks like the bottom beak has shifted over to one side. Do you think this is because I haven't cut it back far enough or it is simply going to be a crossbeaked bird? Maybe I could get another pic from the bottom.
She looks really young from the pic. I understand crossbeak occurs often in silkies. There is a crossbeak thread that might help with some of your questions.
