I have a scissor beak chick for the first time and I am beside myself about what to do. She hatched on March 13 and looked normal at that time. When she was about 5 days old I noticed that she had developed a very slight misalignment in her beak. It was just barely noticeable, so I didn't think it would be an issue. Sadly, over the past week it has gotten progressively worse. I can't imagine that filing it down will make it any better.
To make matters worse, we are leaving town in a few days for a total of 10 days. I have a very good chicken sitter who I know will take good care of my babies and I know I need to alert her of this potential problem. However, as quickly as this seems to have progressed, I am worried this chick won't be able to eat on her own soon. If I were going to be at home I would probably just wait and see how she does. But being gone for 10 days, I don't want her to slowly start starving to death if it continues to worsen. What would you do? She seems fine and spunky right now. Would you tell the chicken sitter to keep a close eye on her or 'intervene' beforehand?
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Unfourtanetly what Rooster said is true, here is my baby. She passed away at four months old on my birthday.She's an absolute doll!
My sister, @CrazyCochin, had a cross beak baby, and I have a crossbeak roo. If it's the bottom beak, as in my sisters case, her's didn't make it past four months.
But If it's the top beak, like my roo roo, and if she can move the bottom beak up and down, she should be fine!
Her beak was the same way, and I fully believe that they have a higher chance of survival if the upper mandible (a fancy term for the beak) is crooked, just as long as the bottom mandible isn't affected.
But in this case, being that It is the bottom beak, I wouldn't kill it, you should let it live its life as I did with mine. Even if the chicken sitter isn't the best, but as long as they take care and feed it, and as long as someone can make life even a little easier for it, you should give it a chance.
This would be the best way to go, what Eggcessive suggested.
We made my girl a bowl raised on a piece of plywood, so she didn't have to dip her head, and she was able to scoop up the food easily.
Other than that, there isn't much one can do, but take extra care of them and love them.
By the way, sorry for the rambly post!
