I have a new chick that was born today. It seems to have a slight cross beak. Does this mean that it needs to be culled? How long can the chick live this way if she does need to be culled? I read that they can't eat or drink properly if they have cross beak
When they are born crossed beaked, it is usually the incubator and they usually die. When they hatch normally, it means it is genetic. If she lives, she will be fine. I have two with crossed beaks[well actually one, I sold the other a few days ago to a good home.] , and they can eat properly. You just have to trim of the part the hangs to the side, so they will eat and look much like a bird whose beak was trimmed. Hope this helps! Ashlyn
Oh, don't use her for breeding because that could be passed on to her offspring. As a layer or pet, she would be fine. Ashlyn
IMHO I would cull it. Everyone has to do what they think is right but I don't have time to spend on a chicken that would require special needs and could not be used for breeding. I hate to cull but I culled a chick last nite that I had helped out of a egg and it's leg was bad from not hatching right. It problably wouldn't have made it a whole week anyway.