Scissor Beak?

[Mldavidson13]

These two chicks are 3.5 weeks old now (right at 3 when these pics were taken). The yellow one is Saffron, and the brown one is Chippy. Chippy's beak seems to have been growing in crooked for a week or two, and Saffron has had a bit of a mismatched beak for about the same length of time. I emailed the breeder and she offered to trade them for others she has. Her opinion was that Saffron's may just be "a mild misalignment", but that Chippy's would get "much worse". But of course, as she said, there's no real way to know 100% for sure how it will end up.

I'm torn as to what to do. This is my first year with chickens, so I'm not sure I'm confident sanding or trimming their beaks.

What could I do to make life better/more normal for these chicks (who I think may be hens) if we do decide to keep them?

 

[Mldavidson13]

 

[Alexandra33]

Having gone through this whole ordeal myself, I sympathize.

My Blue Ameraucana also has crossbeak, and hers is actually a slightly worse case than your babies', but yet, she has a great quality of life.

What is your intention for these two birds, first of all? Are they for show or breeding, or simply for your own enjoyment? If they are future breeders, I would never use them for this purpose. However, if your whole goal is only to have them as part of your flock, I would absolutely recommend keeping them!

Chickira has never had problems eating and drinking, so I never really did anything in the way of trimming to try and resolve her problem.

She's all the way to the left here.

Chickie is MUCH younger in these last two pictures....


Best wishes,
-Alex

 

[Mldavidson13]

We have them for eggs. They're a barnyard mix with Ameraucana heritage, so not really good for show or breeding, but good for eggs and colorful ones!

 

[Alexandra33]

We have them for eggs. They're a barnyard mix with Ameraucana heritage, so not really good for show or breeding, but good for eggs and colorful ones!

It's entirely your choice what becomes of them, of course, but I actually think it might be a good idea to try keeping them!

Chickie's well-being (egglaying included) isn't inhibited at all by her "handicap."

-Alex