Long beak/ long qwik

[Karisinflorida]

Hello,
New Hen owner here.
My 9 week Easter Egger has a longer beak than the others. I’ve noticed her having a harder time eating and she is considerably smaller than the others. I read that I should trim the beak with slippers and a file but the qwik is almost as long as the beak itself. I went in very slightly to trim and it already drew a little blood which I treated with a corn starch paste. I ground up feed with some water and she is pecking it at the bowl but I need help on what to do please? I don’t want to hurt her but I know this beak is too long.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

She may need extra help from time to time.
Let's see if @MottsHomestead @JustBabyMargo and @MilesFluffybutt can chime in with some tips.

@MottsHomestead has outlined how to feed a bird that has difficulties like this in the thread linked below. Be sure to read the whole thread, she's included video and photos.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...eeding-what-is-it-and-when-to-use-it.1532744/

What's your chick's name?

 

[Karisinflorida]

Welcome To BYC

She may need extra help from time to time.
Let's see if @MottsHomestead @JustBabyMargo and @MilesFluffybutt can chime in with some tips.

@MottsHomestead has outlined how to feed a bird that has difficulties like this in the thread linked below. Be sure to read the whole thread, she's included video and photos.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...eeding-what-is-it-and-when-to-use-it.1532744/

What's your chick's name?

Thank you! Her name is Lucy.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Just so you know, not only does she have an overgrown upper mandible, her lower mandible is short/deformed. Beak deformities seem to be pretty common in EEs. I hope you are able to help her!

 

[Karisinflorida]

Just so you know, not only does she have an overgrown upper mandible, her lower mandible is short/deformed. Beak deformities seem to be pretty common in EEs. I hope you are able to help her!

Wow okay thank you for that info
This is so sad because she’s my absolute favorite with always wanting to be held and follows around like a shadow, now it makes sense why.
Is she just going to be a special needs bird for life? There’s no fix basically? I’ll watched the torpedo video and I can certainly do that for as long as it takes but just wondering…
Thank you!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Wow okay thank you for that info
This is so sad because she’s my absolute favorite with always wanting to be held and follows around like a shadow, now it makes sense why.
Is she just going to be a special needs bird for life? There’s no fix basically? I’ll watched the torpedo video and I can certainly do that for as long as it takes but just wondering…
Thank you!

Yes, she will be a special needs bird for life, I'm afraid. Sounds like it won't be too difficult to handle her when you need to though. And you've come to the right place! Wyorp Rock has tagged some people experienced with caring for birds with beak deformities.

 

[Fwoof]

It looks like she has Parrot Beak.
This link might help you. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beak-and-claw-trimming.74570/

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hello,
New Hen owner here.
My 9 week Easter Egger has a longer beak than the others. I’ve noticed her having a harder time eating and she is considerably smaller than the others. I read that I should trim the beak with slippers and a file but the qwik is almost as long as the beak itself. I went in very slightly to trim and it already drew a little blood which I treated with a corn starch paste. I ground up feed with some water and she is pecking it at the bowl but I need help on what to do please? I don’t want to hurt her but I know this beak is too long.

We had an EE chick like that once, but she passed away. Mine's name was Baby.

 

[Karisinflorida]

We had an EE chick like that once, but she passed away. Mine's name was Baby.

Aww how long did she live with this condition?

 

[Karisinflorida]

It looks like she has Parrot Beak.
This link might help you. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beak-and-claw-trimming.74570/

Thank you! I will try this method for sure.