Crossbeak - should I do anything?

[schmije]

One of my 4 week old chicks has a slight crossbeak. She eats normally and has been growing right along with everybody else. It looks minor, in fact we didn't even notice it until about a week ago. This picture isn't the best, but hopefully you can see how it looks. Should I do something or leave it alone as long as she's eating ok?

 

[SilverPhoenix]

If she can eat without a problem, I wouldn't worry at all! I've had a few crossbeak birds (my friends and I call them "freaky beaks" affectionately) in my life, and they've always done just fine! No need to be concerned.

 

[MikasGirl]

We had a crossbeak chicken and we had to constantly keep feeding her with a syringe and mashed up food. However, hers was a lot more severe than yours, and I have read posts from several people who successfully raise a crossbeak chicken. Just make sure she is getting enough food and she is getting lots of love.

Our crossbeak was the sweetest bird we had. I wish you good luck and your very cute birdie should be fine if she is getting enough food!

 

[jeaucamom]

We had a cross beak that started out just like that and got progressively worse and worse and worse and we had to put her down. Keep an eye on it and if it keeps progressing, it WILL get to the point where she can't eat.

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

I have a crossed beak silkie she is 1 1/2 years old and is healthy and fine..

 

[A.T. Hagan]

If it gets bad enough that she has difficulty eating I'd go ahead and cull her. Much kinder than letting her slowly starve. I wouldn't use her for breeding regardless. Cross-beak isn't always a heritable trait, but there's no way to know for sure.

.....Alan.