Meet Polly - the Pirate Chicken :) *Update on page 6!*

[SpringChickens]

She's beautiful! I got two cross-beaks last January in an order from Ideal (who were very apologetic and helpful). One developed it early (maybe 2 weeks? maybe less?) and she never got bigger than a baseball; MUCH smaller than the others. Unfortunately, she died when she was about 12 weeks old. I think the earlier they become noticeable, the worse they become (from my N=2).

My other cross-beak developed hers when she was about 4 weeks old and now she's one of our favorites. We let her in the house to eat from our container of layer pellet and she's very convinced that she should be a house chicken. She lays semi-regularly and she has a VERY bad cross-beak. Here's a picture of her below (it needs to be trimmed in this picture).

 

[domino7]

I have an EE with a severly crossed beak. She's just over 1 year old, and has only laid a few eggs. They have all been thin shelled. I feed her in a deep dish. It's the only way she can get food. She is my friendliest chicken, but I think it's because she's always hungry. I try to give her special attention, but it's not easy. I actually wonder if I'm doing the right thing. GL with yours.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
When you trim, do you do the top or bottom beak? Does it matter which one is trimmed?

 

[SpringChickens]

I trim both. The top beak curves down quite a bit and the bottom beak almost curls in on itself. Truthfully, I'm not sure how much it actually helps, but it makes me feel better.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I wonder the same thing myself. My husband has trimmed Esther's beak two or three times in her 10 months. He trimmed too close the last time and it was a mess for a long time. Another BYCer told me that there are no veins in the beak, just a bunch of capillaries but it sure bled for a long time. We haven't trimmed since because A) we're a little gun shy since the bleeding and B) I'm not really sure if it helps her or not.

 

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
Oh, Ethel is beautiful

Thank you for sharing that with me. Polly is very persistent too so hopefully she will have a great life like Ethel. I will try the deep dish. Lol the other chicks stand around her when she eats and they try to eat the food out of the open side of her beak

Doesn't seem to bother her though, she just goes back for more!

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thank you for the input and experiences. I don't know if I could ever trim her beak, but maybe. I have enough trouble trimming my dog's nails! I'm such a wuss about those things. I am thinking she was born with this deformity since she is missing her eye too. All I can do is hope she does ok. I thought my deformed leg chickens wouldn't be able to lay eggs or get around to eat, etc but they can do both, so I'll keep good thoughts for Polly!

 

[leni]

She is so cute! Thanks for taking her in, I've done the same with senior, "ugly" (i think they're cute!), special needs dogs. They are always the sweetest ones.

 

[ourlittleflock]

A permanent wink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

couldn't had of said it better myself, she is a cutie

 

[ourlittleflock]

A permanent wink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

couldn't had of said it better myself, she is a cutie