ABSTRACT

Malformation of the beak may be congenital or acquired. Congenital conditions include lateral deviations of the maxilla (wry/scissor beak) and mandibular prognathism. Congenital malformations are thought to be associated with incorrect incubation parameters (temperature, humidity, ventilation or turning of the egg) or parental nutrition. In lateral deviations of the maxilla (wry/scissor beak), the maxillary beak is deviated laterally from the level of the cere or beak tip. The side of the mandible no longer in wear and the maxilla often overgrows. Conservative treatment may be effective in very young chicks. Applying gentle digital pressure for ten minutes two to three times daily may straighten a deviated maxilla or lift the maxilla up and forward in prognathic chicks. Beak trimming, involving grinding the overgrown gnathotheca on the side contralateral to the maxillary deviation and the overgrown tomia on the maxilla, allows the maxilla to move back into a normal position.