Are Crooked Beaks bad?

[CBee]

I have one Silkie rooster who has always had a crooked beak. It's not too terribly bad, and he can still eat, drink, etc, but could a crooked beak be bad for a chicken? Could it create respiratory problems? Because he has also had this sort of 'sneeze' thing since he was a little baby. He's a healthy bird though, other than that. I really don't want to cull him just because of a sneeze. He's almost a year old now and lives with 2 other hens who have never developed this 'sneeze' that he has.

Should I be concerned?

 

[JennsPeeps]

I can't speak for the sneeze but can for the crooked beak. As long as he's thriving and can eat/drink without problems, a crooked beak shouldn't cause too many problems. My banty cochin hen has a crooked beak/head, and she's fine.

Many people will suggest that you not allow him to breed, whereas others will say it's fine.

 

[cluckychick]

Quote:
Did you hatch him yourself? I have one that I hatched that has a crooked beak, it's small and he eats and drinks fine. I chalked it up to my opening the bator, humidity, temp issues while hatching and he/she just didn't form correctly. I don't think it's genetic.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Mine was given to me by a cochin breeder who didn't want to keep her in the breed stock. Hard to say if crooked beaks are genetic or not.

 

[chickenzoo]

As long as they can eat and drink he should be fine. Some people make sure to feed in a deep bowl to make it easier for them to eat. Keeping their beak trimmed is also important if it gets really warped.