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.