Beak Trimming - 20wk girl with one side of beak growing down

Rhubarb · **Joined:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:41 pm **Posts:** 9

I have 2 new girls, Parsley and Sage. I have had them since about 16 weeks. Parsley is the larger of the 2 and we fully expected her to lay first, however, she has been pipped by her younger companion. Her bodyweight ratio seems lower, her wattle and comb have not reddened up and in the last few days we have noticed her beak growing down on one side, about 2 mms now, over her lower beak. Husband thinks she may not be eating as much due to her little beak growth. My questions are:

1. Experienced beak trimmers - I am considering a trim followed by a file with an emery board. Any specific instructions or guides to this process would be appreciated. (and)
2. Would this beak in fact be hindering her eating and affecting her bodyweight / comb / wattle / and hindering her starting the laying process or is she just a later bloomer?

Thanks once again to all for your help.

Rhu

Rhubarb · **Joined:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:41 pm **Posts:** 9

Is there no one on this forum who has an opinion or experience in this? My husband is suggesting we have her put down.

Lazzy · **Joined:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:13 pm **Posts:** 57

Rhubarb wrote:

1. Experienced beak trimmers - I am considering a trim followed by a file with an emery board. Any specific instructions or guides to this process would be appreciated. (and)
2. Would this beak in fact be hindering her eating and affecting her bodyweight / comb / wattle / and hindering her starting the laying process or is she just a later bloomer?

Rhu

1. Just trim a bit at a time as if you cut to far it will bleed scissors are ok but if you have clippers for trimming dogs toe nails they would be better.

2. Most likely it will be hindering her eating.

The condition is known as cross beak and is usually hereditary, it normally starts to appear at about 3 to 5 weeks of age but I have seen it start at 15 or 16 weeks of age. Keep a close eye on it as it usually gets worse (it may not) if it gets too bad then you will need to put her down. Do not breed from her.

Rhubarb · **Joined:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:41 pm **Posts:** 9

Thank you so much, Lazy. We only bought these 2 girls a few weeks back, as pullets, for laying. Our previous 2 hens became too old and eventually stopped laying and became egg bound. We have no intention of breeding from them but did want them to have a long and happy life free ranging in the backyard.

I will do as you suggest, thank you. If it is through breeding, I wonder if i should contact the person I bought the pullets through.

Lazzy · **Joined:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:13 pm **Posts:** 57

If the person you got them from has the problem with their birds they would be awere of it, they probably just cull them when they crop up and yours was not noticed. It is also posible that your pullet just happened to get the cross beak for no apparent reason. I had a line of birds where it was fairly common, needless to say they no longer exist, but I also get it at odd times from other birds for no apparent reason (I believe it is called sods law).

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:24 pm

With this condition of an inherent cross beak for a chook, I imagine that it makes it really challenging for a chook to eat/free range and forage normally, we have had one such hen who always had on going health issues. In hindsight, would eggschanging such a bird with the breeder or "culling" them at an early age be the best thing for them in the long run, even though one had no intention of breeding from them? We never had the heart to eggschange her or cull her, but her health was always poor and she struggled to eat.

The decision is so hard to make and your really don't know what is the best thing to do...

Rhubarb · **Joined:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:41 pm **Posts:** 9

Well, we have trimmed it back a little and will do a little more over several days. It's quite a pliable growth. She is still not laying and is 2 weeks behind her 'sister' He comb and wattle are still pale. But she has a decent body weight - she seems to be a big chook.

kwinagi · **Joined:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:58 pm **Posts:** 236

have you got a picture of your bird's beak issue?

the top beak slightly overgrowing hte bottom beak by 2mm will NOT be affecting her ability to eat. trimming it off is the best thing to do. a photo will tell if its cross beak or another condition.

Rhubarb · **Joined:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:41 pm **Posts:** 9

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Have given her beak a wee trim and have a little more to go. She didn't mind. She is still not laying and is now at 25 or 26 weeks, so I would think she should be laying. Her comb and wattle are pinker but not red and still quite undeveloped in comparison to her 'sister' although she is the larger of the 2 yet not as developed. I have not taken an image but will do so for those that asked.

CarrMack · **Joined:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:48 pm **Posts:** 4

I find the birds with over grown beaks seem to re grow them fairly quickly so you will have to do her again no doubt but now you have done it once its a breeze

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Beak Trimming - 20wk girl with one side of beak growing down

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