Worsening crossbeak

[SemiSweet2391]

Our chick, Maple, seems to have a crossbeak that is getting worse. The two pictures were taken a month apart. Why would this be happening? What should I do to help her?

 

[Debbie292d]

We have one too. She's over a year old now and started at around 3 weeks showing the cross beak.

I bought an electric nail file that works like a mini dremmel tool and we file down her top beak a lot, and a little bit on the bottom. The top one has bled a couple of times that we've done it and we just put a bit of flour on it. She didn't seem to mind but I'm sure that's painful so we try not to, but sometimes the length has to go. She can then begin to eat dry feed better.

She's actually looking better as she ages so not sure if the trimming is helping that or not. It might be because the length of the top beak isn't allowed to keep getting pushed by the lower one.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Our chick, Maple, seems to have a crossbeak that is getting worse. The two pictures were taken a month apart. Why would this be happening? What should I do to help her?

Developmental issues can worsen a birds mature.

See that she's getting enough to eat. If necessary, try Torpedo Feeding. Photos along with video are in this post.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...eeding-what-is-it-and-when-to-use-it.1532744/

 

[SemiSweet2391]

We have one too. She's over a year old now and started at around 3 weeks showing the cross beak.

I bought an electric nail file that works like a mini dremmel tool and we file down her top beak a lot, and a little bit on the bottom. The top one has bled a couple of times that we've done it and we just put a bit of flour on it. She didn't seem to mind but I'm sure that's painful so we try not to, but sometimes the length has to go. She can then begin to eat dry feed better.

She's actually looking better as she ages so not sure if the trimming is helping that or not. It might be because the length of the top beak isn't allowed to keep getting pushed by the lower one.

Developmental issues can worsen a birds mature.

See that she's getting enough to eat. If necessary, try Torpedo Feeding. Photos along with video are in this post.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...eeding-what-is-it-and-when-to-use-it.1532744/

Very helpful link, thanks!

 

[SemiSweet2391]

We have one too. She's over a year old now and started at around 3 weeks showing the cross beak.

I bought an electric nail file that works like a mini dremmel tool and we file down her top beak a lot, and a little bit on the bottom. The top one has bled a couple of times that we've done it and we just put a bit of flour on it. She didn't seem to mind but I'm sure that's painful so we try not to, but sometimes the length has to go. She can then begin to eat dry feed better.

She's actually looking better as she ages so not sure if the trimming is helping that or not. It might be because the length of the top beak isn't allowed to keep getting pushed by the lower one.

Ok, thanks! How often do you have to trim her beak?

 

[Debbie292d]

Ok, thanks! How often do you have to trim her beak?

About every 3 months. We've done it a total of four times.

 

[Debbie292d]

Ok, thanks! How often do you have to trim her beak?

If you need a link to what we bought, or pictures of her getting a beak trimming, I can share them if you think they'd help.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

If you need a link to what we bought, or pictures of her getting a beak trimming, I can share them if you think they'd help.

Yes that would be great, thanks!

 

[Debbie292d]

Yes that would be great, thanks!

What I bought on Amazon, USB Electric Nail Drill

What I will buy if that ever breaks. A cordless one.

As a chick


As an adult



Hubby and I trim her beak together. I wrap her up in a towel so she's not flapping around and stays calmer. He ends up holding her and doing the grinding with me in front watching and talking to her.



The sun is coming through the south window in the background, and it interestingly lit up her beak.


This is showing about where we grind to. We snip up a ways first, then grind, then using a finer fingernail file, make sure there's no sharp edges.


When done, she almost looks normal. She'll get her crossbeak back again, but it's never as pronounced. When she's got a crossbeak, she mostly gets wet mash, but after getting her beak trimmed, she goes for the dry as she can actually get some now.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

What I bought on Amazon, USB Electric Nail Drill

What I will buy if that ever breaks. A cordless one.

As a chick
View attachment 4197138

As an adult

View attachment 4197139

Hubby and I trim her beak together. I wrap her up in a towel so she's not flapping around and stays calmer. He ends up holding her and doing the grinding with me in front watching and talking to her.

View attachment 4197140

The sun is coming through the south window in the background, and it interestingly lit up her beak.
View attachment 4197141

This is showing about where we grind to. We snip up a ways first, then grind, then using a finer fingernail file, make sure there's no sharp edges.
View attachment 4197142

When done, she almost looks normal. She'll get her crossbeak back again, but it's never as pronounced. When she's got a crossbeak, she mostly gets wet mash, but after getting her beak trimmed, she goes for the dry as she can actually get some now.

View attachment 4197143

Thanks so much! She is so cute!