chicks with crooked beaks

[Gloria's Gang]

I purchased day old golden laced wyandottes from a reputable feed store. They are now 10 weeks old and two of the 8 have miss-aligned beaks. The top beak is slightly off to the side. It was not noticable until a couple of weeks ago. They are eating and healthy. What caused this and will it get worse?

 

[teach1rusl]

I think it's just a genetic defect. Just watch them closely to insure that they are actually able to eat and drink well (not just attempting to do so). If it's a minor case, they'll most likely be just fine. But there have been severe cases in which the birds slowly starve to death because they simply can't get enough food/water down. I don't know what age it stops progressing, whether it will get worse, or if it's possible it can get better. Do a search on cross beak or crooked beak...there have been lots of posts about the topic. Good luck! I hope your chicks only have a minor case...

 

[Falcon61]

I have one like that. Doesn't seem to affect her appetite. I wouldn't hatch their eggs.

 

[Dora'smom]

I have one that started off with a slight crossbeak, and the feed store gave her to us for free. I had misgivings about taking her because I did not want to be in a position where I had to cull, if she was starving. (They didn't either, that's why they gave her to us!) Anyway, it became less and less noticable, and now, if I didn't already know she has that issue, I wouldn't suspect it from looking at her. They can grow out of most of it, at least, but I don't know what the prognosis is if they didn't start with it, and it occurs at a later age.

 

[Gloria's Gang]

Thank you for the encouraging words. I had to buy more chicks than I wanted because of state law and sold the extra ones. I couldn't part with her though. My friend took the other one. She is the same size as her "normal" sisters and has a healthy appetite.