Twisted beak?

[Kathryn173]

I have a 4 week old polish chick that appears to be getting a twisted beak. It has only had this for just over a week, before that it was totally normal. I can touch it and it goes back in place. It seems time be able to eat etc. Is this a twisted beak or something else? Also, is there anything I can do to help set it in the right position again or will it just get worse as it grows?

 

[WinWinFarm]

Your chicken has scissor beak, a genetic defect that affects beak alignment. The condition usually worsens with time and makes it difficult for the chicken to feed and drink normally. If you plan to keep it, you will have to provide assistance and special care to ensure it survives. You'll have to provide a deep feed dish, modified waterer, and possibly trim the beak to help the misalignment and length as it grows. Others choose to cull, especially if you intend to breed them in order to avoid passing down the trait. The following article covers the normal expectations pretty well:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it.html

 

[Kathryn173]

I might try to keep it for a layer as long as it doesn't get too bad. Hopefully it will be a pullet, will probably cull then if it's a roo.
Thanks for the info.

 

[subhanalah]

That's pretty bad for only 4 weeks. It'll only get worse unless you try to correct it, which I wouldn't venture to try or even guess how to do so..it'd likely hurt the bird.
Personally, I would cull this particular bird.

 

[Kathryn173]

I'll see how it goes, if it can manage to get enough to eat by itself I'll let it stay.