Beak problem

[karint]

I have this EE that I bought at a hatchery. I wanted blue eggs to add to my BCM barn but as you can see something is wrong with her beak. I have two questions 1) how can I help her stay healthy (she is happy and healthy now but I was told it will get worse) and 2) can I hatch any of her eggs or is that a bad idea? Thanks.

 

[DemeterAD9]

I would not hatch any eggs from her, EEs are one of the most common breeds to have scissor beak so chances are it is a genetic trait. Seeing as your bird has made it this far and the beak doesn't look too terrible (from the provided angle at least) then I think she will do pretty okay with a little extra attention. Deep water and food dishes will help make getting things down easier. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give this one extra feedings of moistened chick feed as it is easier to pick up.

If you see a decline in condition despite extra care then I would think about culling, watching a bird starve to death sounds far worse to me.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

I would not hatch any eggs from her, EEs are one of the most common breeds to have scissor beak so chances are it is a genetic trait. Seeing as your bird has made it this far and the beak doesn't look too terrible (from the provided angle at least) then I think she will do pretty okay with a little extra attention. Deep water and food dishes will help make getting things down easier. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give this one extra feedings of moistened chick feed as it is easier to pick up.

If you see a decline in condition despite extra care then I would think about culling, watching a bird starve to death sounds far worse to me.

Agree. She is fine. I have a hen with a worse beak than she has and she does great.
I also don't recomend hatching her egg becase scissor beak is a genetic trait and will be passed on the her chick

 

[karint]

I would not hatch any eggs from her, EEs are one of the most common breeds to have scissor beak so chances are it is a genetic trait. Seeing as your bird has made it this far and the beak doesn't look too terrible (from the provided angle at least) then I think she will do pretty okay with a little extra attention. Deep water and food dishes will help make getting things down easier. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give this one extra feedings of moistened chick feed as it is easier to pick up.

If you see a decline in condition despite extra care then I would think about culling, watching a bird starve to death sounds far worse to me.

Thanks this is exactly what I needed to know.

 

[karint]

Agree. She is fine. I have a hen with a worse beak than she has and she does great.
I also don't recomend hatching her egg becase scissor beak is a genetic trait and will be passed on the her chick

Thanks. This was exactly what I needed to know.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As far as keeping her in good health, you may need to routinely file down overgrown edges/tips on the beak, depending on how severe it is. Wet feed or feed in deep bowls will help her with eating. She may struggle with nipple waterers so if you use one that's something to keep an eye on.

 

[karint]

As far as keeping her in good health, you may need to routinely file down overgrown edges/tips on the beak, depending on how severe it is. Wet feed or feed in deep bowls will help her with eating. She may struggle with nipple waterers so if you use one that's something to keep an eye on.

Thanks. So if only the bottom is overgrown then that’s all I file? The top seems slightly shorter.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks. So if only the bottom is overgrown then that’s all I file? The top seems slightly shorter.

Not necessarily. What you're looking for is uneven growth relative to the "quick" (not sure if that's what it's technically called, but it's similar to the sensitive center in dog and cat's nails). You want to aim for something closer to what would be the natural shape of the beak, to improve functionality and to reduce chipping damage so they don't develop into larger cracks.

 

[karint]

Not necessarily. What you're looking for is uneven growth relative to the "quick" (not sure if that's what it's technically called, but it's similar to the sensitive center in dog and cat's nails). You want to aim for something closer to what would be the natural shape of the beak, to improve functionality and to reduce chipping damage so they don't develop into larger cracks.

Ok. Thanks. I will keep an eye on it.