Crossbeak?

[Camelot Farms]

Is crossbeak hereditary?

My splash has just the slightest cross, in fact she is 10 weeks old and I never noticed til tonight...

ugh! so much for dd entering her in the fair...

 

[RooptyDoo]

Would love to know too. I have heard that it is hereditary and I have heard that it isnt.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

It can be hereditary or it can be due to injury.

Some reading that I've done, and unfortunately did not bookmark the source, said that of those who carry the genes causing a crossbeak, the number of offspring developing the trait is only a very small percentage--something like 2-4%, but I am remembering from reading a year or two back, so that number could be off a bit, but as I said, it was a VERY low percentage based upon what should be expected. If I could find the study again I might now know enough about genetics to digest more of the information than I did then.

A crossed beak at hatch is unusual, and definitely heriditary. Most of the time the bird is at least a couple of weeks, sometimes as late as a couple of months before developing any signs. Improper beak trimming can cause the condition, although I doubt it can cause the extreme cases. Usually it is the bottom beak that is out of alignment; occasionally it is the upper beak or both. With the bottom beak out of alignment, the upper beak has nothing to press against and keep it in vertical alignment, and a severe hook is often formed. I have wondered if debeaking would allow those birds who have difficulty eating to eat more easily.