Is Crossed Beak Fatal?

[Lilorp14]

So I have had Quail and a chicken that have had cross-beak. I'm notorious for taking care of all deformities, health issues, etc because I could never cull one of my babies. But is cross beak a painful thing? My quail didn't seem to mind it at all and adapted perfectly to it. Same with my chicken. I just want to know if its something to be concerned about...

Thanks!

 

[venymae]

Not really, unless it's very severe. They will have a tougher time eating, but I find that having deep food trays helps a lot (the food is deep so it's easier for them to get a bite). Not something you want to breed though.

 

[Lilorp14]

Not really, unless it's very severe. They will have a tougher time eating, but I find that having deep food trays helps a lot (the food is deep so it's easier for them to get a bite). Not something you want to breed though.

Yeah and wide piles. I don't breed my chicken a i just have them as company

 

[Sylie]

Nope, not fatal or dangerous at all unless, like Venymae said, it's severe, it just makes it harder for them to eat but they adapt. I have 3 with crossed beaks (or also called scissor beak) and I put a brick in their run, they rub their beak on it. After a year or so, all of my scissor beaks are now normal. The rubbing on the brick does something. I"m not sure how to explain it but someone told me to do that and it worked.

 

[Zinjifrah]

Nope, not fatal or dangerous at all unless, like Venymae said, it's severe, it just makes it harder for them to eat but they adapt. I have 3 with crossed beaks (or also called scissor beak) and I put a brick in their run, they rub their beak on it. After a year or so, all of my scissor beaks are now normal. The rubbing on the brick does something. I"m not sure how to explain it but someone told me to do that and it worked.

I'll have to try that. One of my little Sebrights has scissor-beak, not bad yet, but enough that I noticed it and will be keeping an eye on it. I'm not sure if she came that way from the hatchery, or bonked her head somehow. It doesn't seem to be effecting her ability to eat and prosper, fortunately.

 

[Sylie]

I'll have to try that. One of my little Sebrights has scissor-beak, not bad yet, but enough that I noticed it and will be keeping an eye on it. I'm not sure if she came that way from the hatchery, or bonked her head somehow. It doesn't seem to be effecting her ability to eat and prosper, fortunately.

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That's not a bad case at all, most chickens with this issue live normal lives. they learn to adapt, as far as they are concerned, there is no other way, they don't see it as a deformity or whatever. They just do what they have to do to survive. Most chickens will learn to scoop food and water up in the bottom beak and are just fine.
Here is an article on it for you. Lisa Steele is amazing. I live by her methods

https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2016/05/causes-and-treatment-of-scissor-or.html

 

[silkielover2121]

I had a chicken that lived to be really old that had a beak that was way off track. Your chick will be just fine.