Silkie chick, scissor beak?

[Dragonfly Farm]

I’m hoping this little chick, who I named Beakers, is a girl. But I told my husband we’re keeping her no matter what. Boy or girl. I like the smoothie idea. She eats FF now and can eat some crumbles. But I have a feeling that might change as she grows. Are your smoothies just FF? Or watered down feed?

Hi-I hope your little Beakers continues to grow and doesn't cross out any more. Hers is pretty mild compared to what we have going on here! I'm not sure what you mean by FF...I put mealworms and layer crumbles in the Cuisinart then add whatever I have leftover in the way of fruit/veg such as apple, raisins, carrots, often yogurt, an occasional egg (shell included). As this whizzes, I slowly add hot water. Beakie prefers her smoothies thick but not too thick...OY....

 

[Smileybans]

Hi-I hope your little Beakers continues to grow and doesn't cross out any more. Hers is pretty mild compared to what we have going on here! I'm not sure what you mean by FF...I put mealworms and layer crumbles in the Cuisinart then add whatever I have leftover in the way of fruit/veg such as apple, raisins, carrots, often yogurt, an occasional egg (shell included). As this whizzes, I slowly add hot water. Beakie prefers her smoothies thick but not too thick...OY....

Sorry. Fermented Feed. But I’ll try that smoothie as Beakers gets older. I think her beak is going to cross out a bit more but I’m hoping not too much. She’s the runt of the five silkies I have too. But still growing.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Yeah! And you see a lot of really bad cases and that might be where you're ends up but it's no guarantee.
Here's mine:
View attachment 2429069
She's due for a little beak trim, I gotta do that tomorrow.

My goodness! She's beautiful. I love her crest and that face. My my my, just a cuteness overload. I love silkies so much. I apologize @Smileybans for being unhelpful but i couldn't hold back. And look at your silkie! I love it, scissor beak and all! Blue silkies are definitely a favorite of mine. Can't wait to see your little chick grow. I wish you the best with your beauty

 

[Docdetective]

I’m so glad you are keeping her! Cross beaks are the best I think. I have a young pullet with a cross beak and she was on mash for a little while, but she is now eating the normal food fine. She has also learned to pick up things and can eat fruit and leaves. Thankfully a the crop is a good way to tell if they’ve gotten enough to eat. Deep food and water bowls work well.
Trimming is also important. Since you caught it early, I would recommend filing it ever once a week or so, starting in a few weeks. That way it doesn’t get too long. My pullet was caught rather late and it’s longer than it should be. I use a nail file. If it’s maintained it will be a lot easier for her to eat and groom

Here’s my girl:

As you can see, it gives her an adorable little expression!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I’m so glad you are keeping her! Cross beaks are the best I think. I have a young pullet with a cross beak and she was on mash for a little while, but she is now eating the normal food fine. She has also learned to pick up things and can eat fruit and leaves. Thankfully a the crop is a good way to tell if they’ve gotten enough to eat. Deep food and water bowls work well.
Trimming is also important. Since you caught it early, I would recommend filing it ever once a week or so, starting in a few weeks. That way it doesn’t get too long. My pullet was caught rather late and it’s longer than it should be. I use a nail file. If it’s maintained it will be a lot easier for her to eat and groom

Here’s my girl:
View attachment 2447024View attachment 2447025View attachment 2447029
View attachment 2447031
As you can see, it gives her an adorable little expression!

Your sweetheart always makes me smile! Is it Flynn? I'm terrible with names but I'll never forget her gorgeous face! Scissor beaks are just so resilient and special.

 

[Docdetective]

Your sweetheart always makes me smile! Is it Flynn? I'm terrible with names but I'll never forget her gorgeous face! Scissor beaks are just so resilient and special.

Yep it is Flynn! she does have the cutest face.

 

[Smileybans]

I’m so glad you are keeping her! Cross beaks are the best I think. I have a young pullet with a cross beak and she was on mash for a little while, but she is now eating the normal food fine. She has also learned to pick up things and can eat fruit and leaves. Thankfully a the crop is a good way to tell if they’ve gotten enough to eat. Deep food and water bowls work well.
Trimming is also important. Since you caught it early, I would recommend filing it ever once a week or so, starting in a few weeks. That way it doesn’t get too long. My pullet was caught rather late and it’s longer than it should be. I use a nail file. If it’s maintained it will be a lot easier for her to eat and groom

Here’s my girl:
View attachment 2447024View attachment 2447025View attachment 2447029
View attachment 2447031
As you can see, it gives her an adorable little expression!

How do I file it? I’m sure like a nail but how will know when it is enough? Or when to stop? I’ll try to get updated pictures of her tomorrow.
That is an adorable expression. I couldn’t imagine giving away Beakers to anyone. And not knowing where she would be going or if she would be taken care of. I know she will be taken care of here. My EE roo even seems to like her and her siblings. Well he doesn’t hate them.

 

[Docdetective]

How do I file it? I’m sure like a nail but how will know when it is enough? Or when to stop? I’ll try to get updated pictures of her tomorrow.
That is an adorable expression. I couldn’t imagine giving away Beakers to anyone. And not knowing where she would be going or if she would be taken care of. I know she will be taken care of here. My EE roo even seems to like her and her siblings. Well he doesn’t hate them.

Well, you’ll want to keep it about the same length as the other chickens her age. I use an emery board, and wrap my girl in a towel so she can’t flap her wings or wiggle around. She will still be able to move her head, but it just takes patience. It’s helpful if someone can hold her while you file. Don’t worry if the first time you don’t get much done! It will be a strange experience for her and she’ll have to get used to it.
Is she somewhat used to being handled?

And I don’t think you’ll need to start filing for a couple of weeks. Her beak is still aligned enough that she can “wipe” it. But still keep a close eye on it everyday!

 

[Smileybans]

@Docdetective
She doesn’t mind being held. It’s the catching her that she minds. But all the chicks are like that. I’m trying to get them used to their new coop, a small coop attached to my run, and they don’t like me reaching in to get them. But once I have them they settle down.
I took a picture of her today. It doesn’t need filing now right? I’m pretty sure it’s the same length right now.

 

[Docdetective]

Actually, looking at this picture, you might be able to keep it from getting worse by keeping the top beak shorter than the lower beak. Otherwise, the top beak will get longer than the lower beak and get even worse. I’d say you could probably maintain it.
It’s hard to say what I mean in writing lol. You want to keep it at that length, but proportional to her age. If that makes sense. So you want her beak to grow, but just not CURVE down. You could try filing just the bottom edge of the top beak if that makes sense.