How big a problem is crossbeak?

[mediazeal]

Taking close ups of my 6 week old chicks
How big a problem is this? no issues with eating etc.

 

[speckledhen]

Can be huge, but even if it manages not to starve to death, it will need regular trimming and deep dishes to scoop food from. The issue is usually genetic and crossbeaked birds should not be used for breeding. If it lays eggs, then you can try to keep one going, but if it's a cockerel, well, you have to make your own decision about that since it should not be reproduced. HenHaven's head hen is over three years old, and crossbeaked. She must trim her regularly and that girl does okay.

 

[Chickenaddict]

I have a little cross beak serama hen who does just fine, in fact looking at her right now you can't even tell she has it. She corrected it herself by filing it down on concrete. If need be I will trim it but for now she doesn't require any special dishes or accomodations. I don't breed her and because of her size (extra tiny im thinking micro) I can tell her eggs apart from the rest of the seramas. Your case doesn't look too bad but it could get worse as the chicken gets older.

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

This is my crossed beak black silkie my DH brought home she eats crumble and does just fine..I think its a she???

 

[KattyKillFish]

Quote:
WOAH!.....wow... hmmm....

i bet she is SPOILED SPOILED SPOILED!

i would spoil the heck out of her!

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Yes, if she turns out to be a cockerel it will be a problem as I will not be able to give 'him' away. If it is a pullet (and I think it is) she will stay with me, no roosters at my house.

She didnt' have it as a little chick, it has developed more recently and I have notice no issues. She is eating well and seems healthy. She comes from really good lines but I guess stuff like this happens.

how you do you 'trim' a beak? what do you use. Do you file? cut?
Is there any pain for the chicken? seems scary!!

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

Quote:
WOAH!.....wow... hmmm....

i bet she is SPOILED SPOILED SPOILED!

i would spoil the heck out of her!

She is my favorite my Dh brougth her home for my neice but we figure she's safer with us!!

 

[thecochincoop]

Quote:
Yes, if she turns out to be a cockerel it will be a problem as I will not be able to give 'him' away. If it is a pullet (and I think it is) she will stay with me, no roosters at my house.

She didnt' have it as a little chick, it has developed more recently and I have notice no issues. She is eating well and seems healthy. She comes from really good lines but I guess stuff like this happens.

how you do you 'trim' a beak? what do you use. Do you file? cut?
Is there any pain for the chicken? seems scary!!

Trimming the beak is easy. It is just like trimming nails and is not painful as long as you don't cut the quick. If you want to keep her as a pet that is fine, just make sure she doesn't reproduce.

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Thanks. How do I know where the quick is? will I be able to see it? before I make it bleed???

No worries she will reproduce since I'm not keeping any roosters.

 

[RAWR]

aww :[ it looks painful. im pretty sure its a pretty big problem