NEED HELP ASAP: Trimming a Crooked Beak...

[nurse_turtle]

For an advanced cross beak, I would not trim the beak. Trimming is for over-growth, not cross-beaking. The cross beak will probably continue to get worse until the bird is no longer able to take enough nutrition to support life. Provide a deep tray of food so the bird can place the beak deeper and maybe get more food. Unless you're willing to hand feed the baby for the next 5-7 years, you may want to consider euthanasia. I'm sorry you and you chick-child are going through this.

 

[welasharon]

Nurse Turtle,
Out of curiosity, is there an age at which their crosses have gotten as bad as they are going to? The one I have is laying. I was wondering if they reach a final point or just keep getting worse? Right now she keeps the tips worn down enough that she is doing fine eating but then she isn't horribly cross beaked either.
sharon

 

[nurse_turtle]

If she's laying age, the cross-beaking may not get any worse, but beaks are like fingernails/toenails. As the nails get worn down, they are replaced with new growth. The beak, like fingernails, never stops growing as it is worn down, but I think she may be ok. I would be way scared to trim a cross beak for fear of cutting into the cuticle which is very painful and has lots of blood supply. If the tip of it seems a little too curved or overgrown, I would trim that with regular nail clippers, but just a tiny bit.

 

[welasharon]

Thanks. This is new to me. She's been laying for quite some time so I am hoping it's as crossed as it will get then.
sharon

 

[stickers]

Hi, my silkie has same problem. Started off just slightly crossed and just kept growing and getting worse. I have been using nail clippers and just taking off a little every few days, it is looking much better and she is able to eat just fine. Now I just maintain it every few weeks. The trick is taking only a sliver if you hit blood use either quick stop or flour and dont try again for a week or so to let it heal.

 

[roost at the rockies]

Thanks for all the helpful tips! I too have a cross-beaked girl. Sorry to say, I'm thinking with all this extra attention, I have a feeling down the road she will be our next choice for stew... Meanwhile, the dremmel is coming out tonight!! Hope it makes her happier!!

 

[ChickenMama49]

i had the same problem with one of my Aracanas. I called my local vet and he told me to trim the tip of the upper beak,the lover is nothing to worry about because it won't grow as rapidly as the top. He recommended using a nail file or nail clippers(this usually takes 2 people). For feeding, I put her in the food bin(crumble, no longer pellet.). This helps because i scoop the feed to its highest point so she can scrap it down and eat it.
Hope this helped.

Have a great day. Merry christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

[Bananikaa]

I feel very bad for all the chickidees in the world who have this problem. Unfortunately, my little Amerucano has a crooked beak to. The top part of the beak angles left, and is completely overgrown. And the bottom part is a little outgrown, to. What I've heard to do is get cat or dog clippers, a nail file, and some tissues and ...... neosporn, in case you do cut into the quick. You can use nail clippers to, but the pet clippers work best. You really only need to trim off a TEENY bit, really, and after you do, you file the beak back into a more "normal" looking shape, top and bottom. If you accidentally DO cut into the quick, immediately press your tissue or cloth against the wound to stop the bleeding, and then apply the medication. I hoped this helped, and good luck on your porr chicken!

 

[evadiva]

I have a full grown chicken that managed to survive with a crossed beak; I just realized that she continuously follows us all around yard asking for food. Her feathers are not in best shape, but we decided to help with overgrown beak according to posts. We did get a bleeder as I tried to trim it a bit too close. To stop bleeding we cauterized it, by heating a teaspoon over lighter and touching the area, bleeding stopped. She cleaned her beak on the pavement and started bleeding but little, much better. It subsided rather quickly. Hope this helps someone out here. We will be feeding her wet food and see how she survives.

 

[B J Hopkins]

Seems like quite a few of us have a chicken w/the crossed beak problem. I've a lovely 7month old male Silky that at about 4months began to develops a crossed beak.I checked him today and he's getting to the stage where I need to do something. All the suggestions are helpful.