If I catch a crossed beak early, can I do anything about it?

[Rica]

Hi there,

I have three Cob500's left of my flock of five and I have told the remaining girls they get a stay of execution if they lay me an egg. (Actually I just went soft after harvesting the roosters). They are about 12 weeks old, and they eat grower crumble, food scraps, and grain, all in limited quantities as they would eat themselves stupid given the chance.

My middle hen in the pecking order has developed a crossed beak over perhaps the last fortnight. It is quite subtle at the moment, with the lower beak slightly longer than the upper, and not quite meeting at the middle. They would cross over by no more than 15 degrees at this stage.

Since I have noticed this quite early on, is there anything i can do to stop it getting worse? She's having no problems with eating or drinking.

Thanks,
Rica

 

[kstaven]

It may be a vitamin deficiencey that has precipitated this if it has been coming on very slowly. It could also be genetic. Look for dlhunicorns posts on here and look at the links to her website. There is some good information on vitamin deficiencies there.

I know beak trimming on parrots will work to slowly correct the problem if it was caused by genetic factors, injury or improper hand feeding. Have never tried it with a chicken.

 

[dlhunicorn]

In the following thread are mention of dealing with crosed beaks/beak abnormalites scissor beaks
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=linksgeneralinfo&action=display&num=1178273217

and in addition I have found this:
http://harrisonsbirdfoods.com/learningcenter/BestOf2.pdf
"Use of Penetran for Beak Malocclusion Greg J. Harrison, DVM Dipl. ABVP Avian"
(excerpt)
Topical application of Penetran is effective for avian skin rashes, local irritations and ulcerations. It can be mixed with aloe vera liquid for generalized dermatologic conditions. Because it has penetrating properties, I have used it to treat some deeper muscular problems. In two cases of a serious beak malocclusion with underbite, the only therapy was application of Penetran to the facial muscles including the periopthalmic areas. In a ten-day-old cockatoo, the muscles relaxed and the beak returned to normal positioning overnight; a full week of Penetran application and prolonged periods of manual positioning of the beak were also successful in a four-week-old cockatoo.Penetran is a commercially available ammonium solution from TransDermal Technologies, Inc.
(800-676-7354)."

 

[thndrdancr]

I really do wished I had read the Penetran post earlier on when I had my crossbeak. I learned about it the week she died, but I would surely have tried it.
I know of one lady on the yahoo group of housechickens that used it and it seemed to help.
Good luck with her.

And of course, Diana (dhlunicorn) as always was the one that provided all my info for me, she is such a wonderful fount of knowledge.

Jill