Birds are susceptible to many health conditions, from vitamin deficiencies to respiratory infections. Yet, scissor beak is among the most obvious because it’s a clear deformity of a bird’s upper and bottom beaks. It’s not common, and it frequently affects poultry—though it can affect pet birds, too.
Scissor beak can occur for several reasons, including genetics and incorrect husbandry. In this guide, we’ll examine everything owners need to know about this condition, including its causes and prevention options.
What Causes Scissor Beak in Birds?
Scissor beak (also called “cross beak”) can occur in birds for many reasons. Sometimes, it can be genetic, resulting from unethical breeding practices. You have a better chance of avoiding this if you buy birds from reputable breeders. Injuries can also cause scissor beak, especially if birds suffer them when they’re young. They may damage their bill when they’re feeding or playing and suffer deformation. This is more common in backyard chickens.
Incorrect handfeeding is another potential cause of scissor beak in parrots and small pet birds, like canaries and budgies. Why? Handfeeding can disrupt the way your bird’s beak naturally moves, and even a minor injury during your pet’s development could cause problems as they age.
Also, poor diets can trigger this condition. Seeds shouldn’t be the main component of a bird’s diet because they’re too soft and contain excess fat. Hard food, like nuts, ensures that a bird’s beak stays in proper shape. Finally, beak fungal diseases are also known to affect misalignment. Keeping your bird’s cage clean can prevent this.
Symptoms of Scissor Beak in Birds
There are several obvious symptoms of scissor beak in birds. These are easy for new bird owners to identify. The first is the visual misalignment of the beak. The upper and lower parts of the bill won’t slot together properly. Instead, they’ll cross over, causing a physical deformity. In some minor cases, scissor beak may be less clear; rather than an obvious misalignment, your bird may suffer from:
- Malnutrition from being unable to eat properly
- Weight loss from being unable to pick up food
- Feather loss from being unable to groom themselves
- Dull feathers or a loss of sheen
- Stunted growth (such as in the case of young, developing birds)
The longer a bird suffers scissor beak (and its subsequent complications), the more harm they could experience to their overall quality of life.
Treatment Options for Scissor Beak
Treating scissor beak starts with getting a diagnosis from an avian vet. After assessing the deformity, they’ll schedule a beak-trimming session for your bird. This is a very tricky process, and we don’t recommend DIY methods if you’re not a veterinary professional. Scissor beak treatment can be expensive because you must return to your vet several times over a few weeks. Over time, trimming the beak will help mold it into the correct shape.
Physiotherapy is also helpful for treating scissor beak in both minor and severe cases. The muscles in the jaw may be weak because your bird isn’t using them correctly. In less serious cases, you could reverse beak deformities in chicks through gentle massage. Apply light pressure to the chick’s top beak toward the opposite side for about ten minutes per day. Again, always consult with an avian vet if you’re unsure of how to address your pet bird’s crossed beak.
Is Treatment Always Necessary for Scissor Beak?
Not all birds with scissor beak require treatment. Usually, owners of parrots, backyard poultry, and other popular pet birds will try to reverse it for aesthetic reasons and to improve their quality of life. But some birds can live long, normal lives with minor scissor beak. Many chicken owners won’t bother treating scissor beak if it isn’t negatively affecting their birds. However, if they can’t eat or groom their feathers properly, you must intervene. Otherwise, you can’t expect your bird to enjoy a healthy quality of life.
Birds Recovering from Scissor Beak Need Extra Care
Birds recovering from scissor beak will need some extra care. If they’re incapable of eating properly, you must use a syringe or tube to manually feed them. Be careful; you don’t want to risk accidentally choking your bird or discourage them from eating. If your pet struggles with preening themselves, you may also need to wash their feathers and blow dry them. Also, don’t forget to check the beak in case there’s any excess feed or dirt stuck to it. Finally, if you have a flock of chickens or several canaries, you should separate the affected birds. A bird with a malformed beak will have problems competing for food and could suffer malnutrition.
Preventing Scissor Beak in Your Pet Birds
Avoiding scissor beak isn’t always possible (such as in the case of birds with congenital defects), but you can greatly reduce the possibility of your birds suffering this condition.
First, ensure that they get a proper diet. All-seed diets are the worst possible choice for domesticated birds. Wild birds eat seeds because they need the fat for energy. Pet parrots or backyard chickens don’t need this boost. Meanwhile, ensure there’s hardwood or toys for your birds to peck and naturally trim their beaks. Take care when feeding young birds, too, because you don’t want to accidentally alter the alignment of their bills.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about scissor beak as a genetic condition. However, it is rare, and at least it’s treatable!
