Young chicken having trouble feeding

[Birdfriend]

Hello!
I'm posting here on behalf of my grandma. We're a bit worried, as one chicken (born late August) is having difficulty feeding, as in she drops the food 3/4 times. The bottom part of her beak is very long, with the top being shorter. She takes a long time to eat corn/bread and is pushed away by the other (larger) members of the flock. Other than the eating issues, she seems to be OK. However, any advice as to how to try and fix her beak? Trimming off the bottom part has been suggested, but we'd need to catch her first, so any advice about that would be appreciated...
Thanks!

 

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pictures of beak would help. also you will need a emery board for filing . maybe nail clippers . being careful not to cut into quick . just like a doggies nails and cornstartch in case you do . pictures help a lot in case it has crossbeak need to see pictures

 

[FortCluck]

Hello!
I'm posting here on behalf of my grandma. We're a bit worried, as one chicken (born late August) is having difficulty feeding, as in she drops the food 3/4 times. The bottom part of her beak is very long, with the top being shorter. She takes a long time to eat corn/bread and is pushed away by the other (larger) members of the flock. Other than the eating issues, she seems to be OK. However, any advice as to how to try and fix her beak? Trimming off the bottom part has been suggested, but we'd need to catch her first, so any advice about that would be appreciated...
Thanks!

Can you get a picture so we can see what you're looking at? This will help determine the best way that you can help her.

 

[Birdfriend]

pictures of beak would help. also you will need a emery board for filing . maybe nail clippers . being careful not to cut into quick . just like a doggies nails and cornstartch in case you do . pictures help a lot in case it has crossbeak need to see pictures

And one frantic chase later... Sorry for poor quality- she wouldn't stay still!

 

[coach723]

Do you know if she has been this way since hatch? Or was she injured at some point? The pictures are not clear enough to tell very well, so I can't really see if it's most likely injury or a deformity. If you can catch her after dark when she goes to roost it's usually easier. Wrap her in a towel, and get some closer, in focus pictures.
In the mean time make a mash of crumble or pellet type feed (crumbles are easier) by mixing with water to make it a bit soupy and deep, put in an open dish and raise it up on some bricks, or boards so it's about shoulder height for her. That will help her scoop with her lower beak. She will have a hard time picking things up off the ground. Raise waterers up the same way so it's easier for her to drink. Most chickens like the feed made into a mash, so they will all probably go for it. If you have a digital kitchen scale get a weight on her and then weigh her regularly so you can make sure she's taking in enough feed. Once we can see better pictures hopefully there will be a better idea of whether she will regrow a beak or if it's likely she will be special needs always.

 

[Birdfriend]

Do you know if she has been this way since hatch? Or was she injured at some point? The pictures are not clear enough to tell very well, so I can't really see if it's most likely injury or a deformity. If you can catch her after dark when she goes to roost it's usually easier. Wrap her in a towel, and get some closer, in focus pictures.
In the mean time make a mash of crumble or pellet type feed (crumbles are easier) by mixing with water to make it a bit soupy and deep, put in an open dish and raise it up on some bricks, or boards so it's about shoulder height for her. That will help her scoop with her lower beak. She will have a hard time picking things up off the ground. Raise waterers up the same way so it's easier for her to drink. Most chickens like the feed made into a mash, so they will all probably go for it. If you have a digital kitchen scale get a weight on her and then weigh her regularly so you can make sure she's taking in enough feed. Once we can see better pictures hopefully there will be a better idea of whether she will regrow a beak or if it's likely she will be special needs always.

Thank you VERY MUCH INDEED! She seems to be improving, thankfully. I believe it was this way since hatch...

 

[Birdfriend]

Ah, I just received an update from Gran! She's apparently learnt to eat OK, and can now hop up onto a box where nobody else can muscle in, so she's doing good! Thanks for the advice