Scissor beak chick

[LilDj]

My newest baby chick is about 4 weeks old and I just now realized her beak is growing wrong now she has a cross beak, or scissor beak deformity. Kinda bummed about it. This will be my first chicken with a beak problem. Quickly learning all about it.
my chickens are strictly pets for me and my family. They are part of our family. I just love animals.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos?

Some birds do just fine with scissor beak, so don't fret yet. You may need to do some maintenance work to keep the beak in best possible condition, and may need to provide wet feed in deeper dishes to help it eat, but as long as it can eat and drink without issue it should do fine.

 

[Cider240]

I have friends with scissor beak chickens and they are doing just fine. A little beak upkeep now and then is all their two ladies require. As long as they can eat and drink they can do very well! I always call their ladies Sally I just think scissor beak Sally is alliterative and fitting for a chicken. Best of luck to you!

 

[LilDj]

Photos?

Some birds do just fine with scissor beak, so don't fret yet. You may need to do some maintenance work to keep the beak in best possible condition, and may need to provide wet feed in deeper dishes to help it eat, but as long as it can eat and drink without issue it should do fine.

Thank you for your response
I appreciate it. You are right only time will tell. I did lightly trim the over grown tip on the top beak it was almost clear in color like a over grown nail, so I could see the vein in the beak was not near by the part I was going to trim, I barely trimmed it, using tiny bird nail clippers and it seem to instantly make a giant difference, My chick was actually just resting on my finger, I did not even have to hold her still, she just was sitting there roosting on my finger, she is very calm acting and happy when I am holding her and I just lightly snipped off the over grown part of the top beak and no pain no blood, just the very tip end. I swear she seemed so happy she yawned and then while she was still on my finger she started pruning her wing feathers and tiny tail feathers for the first time ever. Then I took her later on to her food that have mixed with water to make it soft and she actually wasn’t dropping her food anymore and it looked like she was eating much better. I’m hoping by that tiny piece being removed maybe the bottom beak with have a little more room and not get pushed out anymore to the side. That top beak was to long and curved downward really putting lots pressure on that bottom beak. So I felt like I needed to try something,
But Nothing drastic of coarse. I am hoping that maybe just a little minor trim on occasion might really make a difference.
but she’s very young and has a lot of growing left to do. So only time will tell.
I’m hoping for the best, she is a sweet little chick her name is Dixie she is a black old English bantam.
Thanks again for you comment I appreciate the support. I hope you have a very blessed day

 

[LilDj]

I have friends with scissor beak chickens and they are doing just fine. A little beak upkeep now and then is all their two ladies require. As long as they can eat and drink they can do very well! I always call their ladies Sally I just think scissor beak Sally is alliterative and fitting for a chicken. Best of luck to you!

Thank you for your response and sharing your story with me. I appreciate the support
I hope my little Dixie can do as good as Sally is doing

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you for your response
I appreciate it. You are right only time will tell. I did lightly trim the over grown tip on the top beak it was almost clear in color like a over grown nail, so I could see the vein in the beak was not near by the part I was going to trim, I barely trimmed it, using tiny bird nail clippers and it seem to instantly make a giant difference,

Good to hear! And yes you're looking at it right, the darker center is what you want to avoid but the clear edges and tip are safe to trim.

You can also use an emery board to file it down/shape it, I find that easier in most cases than trying to clip it, as an emery board won't crack the beak like a nail trimmer might.

 

[LilDj]

Good to hear! And yes you're looking at it right, the darker center is what you want to avoid but the clear edges and tip are safe to trim.

You can also use an emery board to file it down/shape it, I find that easier in most cases than trying to clip it, as an emery board won't crack the beak like a nail trimmer might.

Yes I completely agree with everything you said!! thank your for your advice & support. I appreciate it!

 

[Megs_menagerie]

One of my poor baby Americana’s developed scissor beak recently and she still goes after the food but she’s not growing as well as her siblings. Please tell me how to help, she’s 3 weeks old and I have to try. Also she’s only with the two chicks her age, should I put her by herself?

 

[MTR]

Thank you for your response
I appreciate it. You are right only time will tell. I did lightly trim the over grown tip on the top beak it was almost clear in color like a over grown nail, so I could see the vein in the beak was not near by the part I was going to trim, I barely trimmed it, using tiny bird nail clippers and it seem to instantly make a giant difference, My chick was actually just resting on my finger, I did not even have to hold her still, she just was sitting there roosting on my finger, she is very calm acting and happy when I am holding her and I just lightly snipped off the over grown part of the top beak and no pain no blood, just the very tip end. I swear she seemed so happy she yawned and then while she was still on my finger she started pruning her wing feathers and tiny tail feathers for the first time ever. Then I took her later on to her food that have mixed with water to make it soft and she actually wasn’t dropping her food anymore and it looked like she was eating much better. I’m hoping by that tiny piece being removed maybe the bottom beak with have a little more room and not get pushed out anymore to the side. That top beak was to long and curved downward really putting lots pressure on that bottom beak. So I felt like I needed to try something,
But Nothing drastic of coarse. I am hoping that maybe just a little minor trim on occasion might really make a difference.
but she’s very young and has a lot of growing left to do. So only time will tell.
I’m hoping for the best, she is a sweet little chick her name is Dixie she is a black old English bantam.
Thanks again for you comment I appreciate the support. I hope you have a very blessed day

I like to use a dog toe nail grinder for beak trimming. I find it is less likely to crack in a bad way and I can shape it.

 

[LadyAchee]

I have a 4 week old crossbeak with my broody and I make sure they have multiple deep heavy bowls. Try to keep them full so they don't have to fight for food. If you watch them eat and drink and they have a full crop throughout the day they should be fine. If not consider wetting the food and play with consistency. Separate time with food may be needed.. You can also make little "torpedo" pellets I have seen that work with older crossbeaks. I read they can swallow their tounges or they can even fall off. I have been lucky so far with little Frank, my first crossbeak..