Scissor beak

[KYchickengirl326]

I hatched some babies about three weeks ago. This baby (Silkie x green queen) has seemed to develop scissor beak. I have just now noticed it and it’s been eating and drinking fine. My question is, how do I treat this going forward? I’ve never dealt with this before.

 

[KYchickengirl326]

Here’s some pics

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Nothing i had one and it learned to eat on its own etc if it gets worse then just a deep dish will work

 

[JustBabyMargo]

What a cutie! It doesn’t look like a major case of crossbeak yet, but you’ll have to see how it gets as it grows.

When dealing with chickens with crossbeak, there are only a number of things you will be able to do for them.

First, you need to make sure that they are able to eat. If they have any trouble eating, they will starve without help. If your chick ever ends up being unable to feed itself, you will need to feed it. Two ways to do this are by either wetting down its feed and having it eat that (preferably from a deep bowl), or you can tube feed.

Second, the chick needs to be able to drink on its own. I use dip-beak waterers for my crossbeaks, and they seem to work much better than anything else.

Third, you will likely have to grind its beak down. Crossbeaks often have a hard time grinding their beaks down, so they get overgrown and get in the way of their eating. I use a dog nail grinder tool, but others use nail filers and other similar tools. It will have to be trimmed down regularly, so maybe every 2-4 weeks or so. You’ll be able to tell better as it ages. I would probably wait until your chick is at least 2 months old before doing this, though.

So, for now, you probably don’t have to do much, just keep an eye on your chick, and make sure its eating, drinking, growing, and that its beak doesn’t get super overgrown.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I hope it is not bad. I had some before with the cross beak. They are very loving birds. As anyone had a rooster that didn't crow? I would like to know.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

In addition to what @JustBabyMargo said, you will need to assist with preening, especially during a molt. The worse the beak is, the more you will need to help break up those sheaths.

CB is a skull deformity - there is no fix for it. The beak will continue to change up until the chick hits roughly six months when its bones are set.

It can be caused by genetics, trauma or poor position within the egg. Silkies, Easter Eggers, and Polish has a high rate of the CB. Since your is a Silkie, it's likely genetic. It is not recommended that you hatch eggs from a chicken with CB.

Regarding feeding, mash out of a deep bowl is great. You may need to play around with the thickness of the mash. My guy preferred an oatmeal at first and then as his CB progressed, he liked it soupier. Now, I do syringe feedings twice a day with a special food. It makes me feel better knowing he gets enough. I recommend checking their crop daily - make sure there's food it in. If you can do weekly weigh-ins, that's great.

Do reach out if you need help. I am always happy to chat with/assist other CB keepers.

 

[frontyard chickens]

In addition to what @JustBabyMargo said, you will need to assist with preening, especially during a molt. The worse the beak is, the more you will need to help break up those sheaths.

CB is a skull deformity - there is no fix for it. The beak will continue to change up until the chick hits roughly six months when its bones are set.

It can be caused by genetics, trauma or poor position within the egg. Silkies, Easter Eggers, and Polish has a high rate of the CB. Since your is a Silkie, it's likely genetic. It is not recommended that you hatch eggs from a chicken with CB.

Regarding feeding, mash out of a deep bowl is great. You may need to play around with the thickness of the mash. My guy preferred an oatmeal at first and then as his CB progressed, he liked it soupier. Now, I do syringe feedings twice a day with a special food. It makes me feel better knowing he gets enough. I recommend checking their crop daily - make sure there's food it in. If you can do weekly weigh-ins, that's great.

Do reach out if you need help. I am always happy to chat with/assist other CB keepers.

Hello!
I have a special needs rooster who is unable to preen and he is looking mighty pitiful with all the new feathers coming in- the sheath around the feathers are starting to build up as he cannot groom himself. I see you recommend assisting in preening during molt- what is helpful? I don’t want to make it worse but I want to do something since it seems like that shiny shell around the feathers are starting to become harder to brush away.
Hopefully this makes sense.
Thanks in advance!!!

In addition to what @JustBabyMargo said, you will need to assist with preening, especially during a molt. The worse the beak is, the more you will need to help break up those sheaths.

CB is a skull deformity - there is no fix for it. The beak will continue to change up until the chick hits roughly six months when its bones are set.

It can be caused by genetics, trauma or poor position within the egg. Silkies, Easter Eggers, and Polish has a high rate of the CB. Since your is a Silkie, it's likely genetic. It is not recommended that you hatch eggs from a chicken with CB.

Regarding feeding, mash out of a deep bowl is great. You may need to play around with the thickness of the mash. My guy preferred an oatmeal at first and then as his CB progressed, he liked it soupier. Now, I do syringe feedings twice a day with a special food. It makes me feel better knowing he gets enough. I recommend checking their crop daily - make sure there's food it in. If you can do weekly weigh-ins, that's great.

Do reach out if you need help. I am always happy to chat with/assist other CB keepers.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Hello!
I have a special needs rooster who is unable to preen and he is looking mighty pitiful with all the new feathers coming in- the sheath around the feathers are starting to build up as he cannot groom himself. I see you recommend assisting in preening during molt- what is helpful? I don’t want to make it worse but I want to do something since it seems like that shiny shell around the feathers are starting to become harder to brush away.
Hopefully this makes sense.
Thanks in advance!!!

I'm following you so no worries! I break the sheaths up by either rolling them in my fingers or using my fingernails to scratch/damage them so they loosen up and fall off. Older sheaths that are ready to come off are generally brittle and thin looking. Newer sheaths that are not ready to come off still have blood flowing so they'll look fresher at the base.

One of my other roosters has giant foot feathers that he doesn't preen well so I see that thickening you mention there.

(I recognize your photo and name. I think I follow you on Instagram.)

 

[frontyard chickens]

I'm following you so no worries! I break the sheaths up by either rolling them in my fingers or using my fingernails to scratch/damage them so they loosen up and fall off. Older sheaths that are ready to come off are generally brittle and thin looking. Newer sheaths that are not ready to come off still have blood flowing so they'll look fresher at the base.

One of my other roosters has giant foot feathers that he doesn't preen well so I see that thickening you mention there.

(I recognize your photo and name. I think I follow you on Instagram.)

Aww hey friend!!
Thanks for the tips! I’m off today so I’ll be out there all day breaking up sheaths lol
He’s got so many around his neck, I’ll post a picture later!

I'm following you so no worries! I break the sheaths up by either rolling them in my fingers or using my fingernails to scratch/damage them so they loosen up and fall off. Older sheaths that are ready to come off are generally brittle and thin looking. Newer sheaths that are not ready to come off still have blood flowing so they'll look fresher at the base.

One of my other roosters has giant foot feathers that he doesn't preen well so I see that thickening you mention there.

(I recognize your photo and name. I think I follow you on Instagram.)

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Aww hey friend!!
Thanks for the tips! I’m off today so I’ll be out there all day breaking up sheaths lol
He’s got so many around his neck, I’ll post a picture later!

He'll appreciate it! It's great bonding time and kind of relaxing, too.