4 week old chick with deformity- curved beak and possibly blind in one eye?

[Mountainbluebird]

A couple weeks ago, I "rescued" some 2ish week old chicks from my local feed store. These poor babies seemed to be the rejects due to one reason or another (having been picked on terribly, very small/poor feathering for their ages, and all with terrible pasty bum). I couldn't bare to see them suffering, and having an available brooder and room for more in my coop, I decided to take them home. The pasty bum is all cleared up and they're active, growing well, and getting along with one another!

My concern is that one of the Wyandottes has a crooked face. I'm not sure if it's scissor beak because it looks like the lower mandible lines up with it. I'm also noticing that her feathers on her left side seem to be behind from the right, and the wing looks shorter. She also seems to have a slow reaction but then gets very startled if things approach her from her left side, as if she can't see well until its close or has caught sight with her right eye.

Would this be a defect from poor genetics? Improper turning while in her egg? Something else? Maybe it is just scissor beak and I'm overthinking it? She is eating well and is a very curious little sweetheart! I'm just worried about further development issues. Hoping that she will just be a wonky little girl and isn't going to have a poor quality of life from this. Any thoughts?

 

[azygous]

You're amazing for accepting the task of rescuing these little rejects. The number one thing to keep in mind is that the period between hatch and around eight weeks will determine if a chick with any sort of genetic anomaly will either survive in spite of it or will lose the struggle for life.

That you have a solid success rate so far is testimonial to your knowledge and experience with chicks. But for all that expertise, it still depends on a chick's individual constitution whether it will thrive.

That this chick with the questionable beak and eyesight and scruffy feathering surviving successfully so far is a good indication it will continue to find a way to survive and thrive.

I think just keeping an eye on this chick to be sure it can somehow find its food and water and monitoring its growth rate is sufficient. I would trust this little one to keep figuring out how to get what it needs, and not do too much fussing over it.

 

[Mountainbluebird]

I think just keeping an eye on this chick to be sure it can somehow find its food and water and monitoring its growth rate is sufficient. I would trust this little one to keep figuring out how to get what it needs, and not do too much fussing over it.

Thank you so much for your response! It brings me peace of mind to read that I'm likely doing the right things so far. My goal is to give her the best life I can!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

A couple weeks ago, I "rescued" some 2ish week old chicks from my local feed store. These poor babies seemed to be the rejects due to one reason or another (having been picked on terribly, very small/poor feathering for their ages, and all with terrible pasty bum). I couldn't bare to see them suffering, and having an available brooder and room for more in my coop, I decided to take them home. The pasty bum is all cleared up and they're active, growing well, and getting along with one another!

My concern is that one of the Wyandottes has a crooked face. I'm not sure if it's scissor beak because it looks like the lower mandible lines up with it. I'm also noticing that her feathers on her left side seem to be behind from the right, and the wing looks shorter. She also seems to have a slow reaction but then gets very startled if things approach her from her left side, as if she can't see well until its close or has caught sight with her right eye.

Would this be a defect from poor genetics? Improper turning while in her egg? Something else? Maybe it is just scissor beak and I'm overthinking it? She is eating well and is a very curious little sweetheart! I'm just worried about further development issues. Hoping that she will just be a wonky little girl and isn't going to have a poor quality of life from this. Any thoughts?

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I don’t have chickens just ducks
But your story made me smile !!
Thank you from all of us bird lovers for giving these babies a home with love and care to thrive and grow
I don’t know anything about it’s issues but I do think if they are strong enough to continue they will if in the right home

 

[Mountainbluebird]

I don’t have chickens just ducks
But your story made me smile !!
Thank you from all of us bird lovers for giving these babies a home with love and care to thrive and grow
I don’t know anything about it’s issues but I do think if they are strong enough to continue they will if in the right home

Thank you so much for these kind words! I'm happy to give this wonky girl and her sisters a good home. They will definitely be spoiled!

 

[gertiesmom]

I just saw your post and I'm wondering how your baby is doing? I'm about to post about my chick cause I just saw her beak is crooked and the vet can't call me back till tomorrow. I've never seen this before so of course I'm worried. Please let me know what you've found out when you can.
Thank you,
Amy

 

[Mountainbluebird]

I just saw your post and I'm wondering how your baby is doing? I'm about to post about my chick cause I just saw her beak is crooked and the vet can't call me back till tomorrow. I've never seen this before so of course I'm worried. Please let me know what you've found out when you can.
Thank you,
Amy

Hello Amy! My little CrissCross is doing wonderfully. As she's grown, the curvature has become a little more pronounced, so the tips of her beak no longer line up. However, she has no trouble eating and drinking. I have seen success stories of chickens with severe crossbeak making it to adulthood! If the deformity is severe, your chick may need help with feeding. But if she/he can eat on their own, I'm sure they will be ok! I hope your chick is doing well and that you get good news from the vet

 

[gertiesmom]

Hello Amy! My little CrissCross is doing wonderfully. As she's grown, the curvature has become a little more pronounced, so the tips of her beak no longer line up. However, she has no trouble eating and drinking. I have seen success stories of chickens with severe crossbeak making it to adulthood! If the deformity is severe, your chick may need help with feeding. But if she/he can eat on their own, I'm sure they will be ok! I hope your chick is doing well and that you get good news from the vet

Hi and thank you for getting back to me! So far she's doing ok and eating well. The vet said it definitely sounded like the beginning of crossbeak. She said to keep a close eye on her and if it starts to get worse to bring her in so we can discuss trimming etc. I've done a bunch of research on crossbeak since then and I've seen the positive stories too, so that's awesome. As long as she's happy and otherwise healthy that's all that matters. Here's some pics from today. I'm keeping close watch on her eyes too cause she acts like she can't see well sometimes.